Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907 

Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion




To be honest, I was surprised that my flights were over my expectation (except for my usual unlucky incidents in the air).

Somehow, I was amazed that United can deliver good international service, as well as Continental.

But why not domestic?

I think only Jeff can answer that.

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907 

Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion




December 11, 2011 – UA 907 (Chicago O'Hare > San Francisco, CA)

After I have re-checked my luggage, I returned to Terminal 1 for my flight.

But there was a small issue - they said I was too late to make my trip.

It turns out portion of my flight was canceled yesterday (the one that went from Europe). So I was still good to go.

There was nothing really special about this flight, as I slept most of the time.

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907 

Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion




December 11, 2011 – UA 949 (London Heathrow Airport > Chicago O'Hare)

I had my own reasons why I want to return to San Francisco via Chicago instead of Houston - United uses Boeing 767.


Why?

1. Based on my experience, United's Boeing 767, in many occasions, experiences mechanical issues in Europe. Per EC 261/2004, I may entitle for compensation for the delay.


2. See here - What does it take for United to fix the aircrafts?  



No need to say more. I can use this chance to score some e-certificates.


So despite so much I hate Chicago (as I have been to Chicago O'Hare - the airport only so many times this year), I still went through Chicago this time.


As far as I know, except Continental, all Star Alliance members operates out of Terminal 1.

Check-in was smooth, when you are a Star Alliance Gold member:

Premium Check-in Counter for Lufthansa Group Airlines

I was waiting for my own line with my friend. The next available agent has taken a Business Class passenger. Fine. Then we waited.

And then we got referred to a First Class / Global Service counter for check-in, which was way even better.


After that, you know the rest - Security.


Then we proceeded to the lounge.

Star Alliance Lounge

Star Alliance Lounge is basically a lounge that operated by Star Alliance itself (usually the alliance does not get involved that much) for all their members.


So basically, unless you travel on BMI (which have separated lounges), you will be referred to here, regardless which Star Alliance airlines you fly.


When I was checking in, I asked the agent which Star Gold cards she wanted to take (By the way, I have a Continental and United with me). She tried both but they did not work at all. But still, since the card said it was a valid membership, the agent checked me and my friend manually to get it.


Then we were promptly greeted by a United Agent, who informed us that there was no gate assignment yet and referred us to check the monitor.

To be honest, I did not have a very good impression to this lounge.


The major reason was it was way too crowded.


The second was although it was better than all U.S. lounges, it was not as good as what I have experienced in Hong Kong's United Club or Thai's Royal Orchid Lounge, especially the good

Shower Room (1 of 2)

 

Shower Room (2 of 2)

After that, we proceeded to the gate, by the assistance of the United Agent (well...the monitor did not say anything at all...)


Surprisingly, this flight was not as full as it supposed. So boarding was quickly done.

As before, legroom was good. I basically slept almost the whole flight. Meal was okay (as I mentioned before, I give credit to airlines food).

My Lunch

In conclusion, it was a pleasant experience, especially with the crew in London Heathrow.


Also - my purpose has fulfilled - my personal TV did not work for the entire flight. So I did receive a Skykit (Remember - I slept almost the whole flight, right? So, I did not really miss much...)

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907 

Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion




December 5, 2011 – UA/CO 4 (Houston George W. Bush InterContinental > London Heathrow Airport)

Houston is a huge airport.

My plane has been taxied for about 10 minutes before reaching the gate. At that time, my friend was waiting outside.


Then we proceed to the United Club (formerly known as Continental's President Club).


Unlike the formerly United Red Carpet Club, the amenity provided in this club is way much better, even before the merger.


At the least, they have shower facilities and free selected premium drinks, for free, as well as unrestricted WiFi access (no need to use a code).


This kind of United Club (I mean the Continental's kind) are the one I like the most. American airlines are being cheap - so it is not a surprise that nothing is really offered in the lounge (and this is the main reason that I don't sign up for paid lounge access). But among them (for the real, the only one that I never used is Delta SkyClub, which is because I never travel with Delta before), that "United Club" offers the most among them, especially the hot water at their shower. As far as I know, it is the best water (temperature,pressure) that I have ever experienced.

Outside United Club (With the traditional style of President Club)

View from United Club (The farthest aircraft was the one who took me to London)

Inside United Club (1 of 3)

Inside United Club (2 of 3)

Inside United Club (3 of 3)

But too bad this time, I did not spend my time for the shower.


Then we proceeded to the gate.


The passenger load for this flight was extremely. Even we left the lounge on time, the gate had begun boarding the last group of passengers already. And surprisingly, the so-called Exit Row Extra Leg Room (ELR) seats were not filled (My friend and I had B and C seats and A was occurred by someone else.) With the permission of the flight attendants (as I was aware of stories of ELR seats flight attendants would not allow people to make the change even they are empty), my friend and I basically played music chair - switching among those 3 seats.

Guitar for Music Chair? Or United Break Guitar?

The flight was serviced by a Boeing 777-200ER

This was the first time I travel with former Continental on an international destination. As my friend mentioned to me about his satisfaction with his OKC-IAH-EWR-HKG trips years ago, I could finally see if it was the case.


It turned out that it was not bad at all. 

The food was at the least edible.

In-Flight Entertainment was fully in function (and at the least, the screen knows how to move) and surprisingly, Continental has offered Chinese programing (for a Trans-Atlantic route). The offering was kind of old but at least, better than Cathay Pacifc.


(In determining this, I have taken the consideration that Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong airlines and a customer of TVB, who produces the programs. So in theory, it would be easier for Cathay Pacific to negotiate a deal and get better programing, compared to Continental).


What interesting was in most of the time of this flight, we are in fact traveling on maximum speed per Boeing's design. Based on Wikipedia, Boeing 777 (regardless of variants) can travel up to Mach 0.89 (590 mph, 950 km/h, 512 knots) at a cruise altitude of 35,000 ft (11,000 m).


But we were traveling at almost 700 mph at the cruise altitude of 38,000 ft.


So, even we had a half hour tarmac delay and holding during final descent to London Heathrow, we were arrived 1 hour earlier than scheduled.

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 230 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA/CO 4 

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 949

Operation Emergency Deployment - UA 907 

Operation Emergency Deployment - Conclusion



December 5, 2011 – UA 230 (San Francisco, CA > Houston George W. Bush InterContinental)

I intentionally chose not to fly direct to London, even there are 2 daily flights from San Francisco, CA.

My reasons?


1. Miles...Miles...Miles...


2. My friend - my friend is a United MileagePlus Premier. So he does not enjoy as many benefit as I do. So I had to go to Houston to "pick" him up in order for him to enjoy a more pleasant travel.


Since it is an international reservation, I was entitled to use Star Alliance Gold lounges. The only restriction is I can only United Club (United Red Carpet Club or Continental President Club) or US Airway Club only (but none of airports I visited has one).

Since the merger, United Club has been under some new changes. At the least, in the past, it is difficult for you to find something to eat. But now, at least I could have a bagel...

My "Breakfast"...

Looking from Inside

Food Offering (Not much changes...but at least something more...)

I arrived at the gate 20 minutes before boarding. Guess what? I was ranked #1 on the upgrade list and there is only 1 First Class seat left. The Ground Agent told me that that seat was sold, but you might still get it. I told them I would go to buy my lunch (so that they knew I still wanted the seat).

After I was back, my upgrade was cleared - First Class to Houston.

(I know my blog is about Economy Class travel - but this time - you will know why I mention this trip.)

When I waited for boarding, I saw something funny:

SMI/J? Jeff is here?

Why is SMI/J funny? This actually relates on how United's system display names.

United's system use the first letter of your last name and your first initial to display.

So for instance, Ryan Bingham (Main Character from "Up In The Air") is displayed as BIN/R.

SMI/J, in FlyerTalk, is known as Jeff Smisek - President and CEO of United.

And CEO needed to wait for an upgrade? (For the record, United corporate officers have the highest priority regardless of seats.)

Okay, back to my trip report.

Why do I mention a First Class experience? See the following pictures first:

See the moisture?

Delicious, right?

My Legroom

Can you imagine in First Class:


1. First Picture - You have some moisture at your tray and you don't know if they are water (condensation) or not...


2. Second Picture - Everyone had the same kind of meal, no exception.


Would you rather in Economy Class or First Class? (Compare my legroom from First Class with my previous Economy Plus experience).


To be honest, I would say this would one of my worst experience in domestic First Class - and it is the exact reason why I wrote about this - so that people can know First Class is not always as good as you think.


"Oh well...it is free anyway.." This is the phrase I used to calm me down until arriving in Houston...

Operation Emergency Deployment - Introduction

Another trip report - and I named it "Emergency Deployment".


To me, this trip is absolutely optional, as I have re-qualified my current status as United MileagePlus Premier Gold (new name for Premier Executive next year) back in September. Also, I have some extra EQMs already (from last trip to Hong Kong via Chicago).

I was doing this for my friend - my friend had to "waste" about 10 days worth of paid time off due to company policy. Since United was doing a sale (sort of) for Europe. After we had worked the plan, we booked our trip.

Then why called "Emergency"? Funny enough, this is my first international ticket I have booked ever that travel within a month. I will say, as international travel, it is a kind of emergency, sort of.

I booked this ticket by using my VDB voucher earned last year on the same day that I got my last VDB mentioned in my trip report. Fate or coincidence? Who knows?

But after reading this trip report, hopefully, you will know some tricks about London.

Am I too harsh to Cathay Pacific?

 I got couples of comments regarding my trip report about Cathay Pacific.

Am I too harsh to Cathay Pacific?

Or do I simply expect too much from Cathay Pacific?

Before I go into it, please take your time to review Skytrax's ratings for the airlines I have traveled last time:

Air China

Cathay Pacific

United Airlines

Also, I have reviewed again my trip reports. It turns out I don't think I am biased as other think.

Here are my explanation (and some of my concerns):

1. Unlike a lot of trip reports, I did not focus a lot of in-flight meals and snacks.

It was exactly my conversation on CX 807 with a senior flight attendant. At that time, the senior flight attendant offered me Kamameshi (it was the translation I found from Wikipedia - 煲仔飯 from Chinese) that was served in First Class. I sincerely decline it, as I believe there is no in-flight food that you can compare with what you can find on ground, which the senior flight attendant agreed.

While a lot of trip reports grade airlines based on food served, I intentionally leave this one out in understanding how airlines are operating.

I believe no airlines ever want to serve inedible food to their passengers, crews as well.

2. I have given credit when I review the Wing.

As a lot of people know the Wing is under renovation for now, I did not focus on what's outside. But what's inside only. Even my conversation with the agent at the Wing confirmed that the Cabin, with no doubt, has a better food offering.

3. CX's Skytrax rating has no doubt dropped.

For the record, based on Wikipedia's Skytrax page, CX's rating is dropping even they do still maintain as a 5-star:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skytrax

Based on the page, CX has officially dropped out from top 3 airlines of the year since 2010 (and they were in top 3 for the last 9 years).


4. Not the people, but the Corporate culture makes CX worse.

Surprisingly, not one, but several flight attendants told me that I should report my disappointment with CX directly.

They are claimed the same reason - CX is not willing to listen to their feedback.

As a service industry, feedback is important for a company's continuous improvement. Who do you think know what customers want, a C-level manager or a front line agent?

When the chain of feedback is broken, no matter what the front line does is meaningless, as they are faked based on policies and procedures.

I truly believe that all the flight attendants I talked to were willing to listen to my concerns and they were sympathetic to my disappointment. However, since the Corporate has no word from them, how can an airlines improve?

5. I am not alone...

Lucky, from One Mile at a Time, traveled on CX First Class for several time. Based on his comments, trip reviews, as well as his response from others regarding CX's service, he basically concludes that First Class is exceptional. But for the others, it really depends on the circumstances. In other word, he believes that there may be other which is doing better than CX.

6. Last but not the least - my expectation has been tiered based on Skytrax's rating, and I am being fair at all time.

Yes - I may be biased before in discussing CX without traveling with them (although I believe I was not).

But it is a fair question - Will you expect service level of the Peninsula from a Motel 6 Inn, or vice versa?

If you know how to answer this question - then you should know what standard I should use with Cathay Pacific.

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion

The 22000 Miles Long March - Check-In

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 705 

The 22000 Mile Long March – Hyatt Regency O’Hare

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion



A quick conclusion:

Air China - Better than what I imagine, although there are rooms for improvement.

Cathay Pacific - I don't see why they can keep their 5-star rating...(I will definitely talk more about this in a later time).

United - Nothing special (as a matter of fact, I had issues with United frequently. This was one of the time that I surprised that I have no issue at all).

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March - Check-In

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 705 

The 22000 Mile Long March – Hyatt Regency O’Hare

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion 

November 19, 2011 – UA 973 (Chicago O'Hare > San Francisco, CA)

After I have re-checked my luggage (United agents blamed me for not taking United - oh well...$100 ticket...whatever...), I returned to Terminal 1 for my flight.

There was nothing really special about this flight, as I slept most of the time.

But it was freezing...(I was sitting at the 21A Windows Seat at Exit Row).

Ice or Snow?

No Complaint Legroom...

Sunset...

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March - Check-In

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 705 

The 22000 Mile Long March – Hyatt Regency O’Hare

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion 

November 19, 2011 - CX 806 (Hong Kong > Chicago O'Hare)

Time to go home. Before I started, please carefully observe the following pictures:

See the difference?

For those who have been following my trip report, you should have some memory that I took the first picture on November 11, 2011, which I have experienced "raining" in the aircraft.

The second picture was taken 7 days later (based on Pacific Standard Time).

Yes - I was in the same aircraft...again...

But before I go there, let me share my pre-flight experience.

Since I am a Macro Polo Club Silver, so I can use Business Class check-in. Unlike what has happened in Chicago, check-in was not an issue at all. What amazed me is the Ground Agent who checked me in was a Filipino speaking in Cantonese.

And my luggage was tagged interlined with United for my final destination to San Francisco.

Also, I received my lounge invitation. Unlike Chicago, I was "welcomed" to use whatever lounges Cathay Pacific has in Hong Kong (The Wing / The Pier / The Cabin / G16 Lounge).

After the security, I have visited the Wing first. A few words I can summarize about the Wing - it was one of the poorest lounge I have ever visited in Hong Kong.

The reason is simple - food selection. Basically nothing.

As I got Priority Pass from American Express Platinum Card (Priority Pass Select), I have stopped by the Travellers' Lounge near Gate 1. Although I did not take any pictures (as the matter of fact, I have stopped in the lounge for less than 1 minute), I can't tell you even this lounge is way better than the Wing.

Then I went to the Cabin. Comparing to the Wing, basically, the Heaven and Hell.

Food Selection (1 of 5)

Food Selection (2 of 5)

Food Selection (3 of 5)

Food Selection (4 of 5)

Food Selection (5 of 5) - Fruit Bar

Spacious Rest Area (1 of 2)

Spacious Rest Area (2 of 2)

Specialty Drinks Menu (1 of 3) - Do you see - Champagne?

Specialty Drinks Menu (2 of 3)

Specialty Drinks Menu (3 of 3)

Then I returned to the Wing again (as that's the lounge nearest to my departure gate). This time I have checked with the shower facility:

Shower Room (1 of 2)

Shower Room (1 of 2)

After that, I stopped by their computer station. I don't know if I am too picky or not, somehow I was disappointed. Either the station did not have the phone, or there was a network connection problem.

Computer Station - That's the one with network issue (Taken from the station that has no phone)

After that - time to board.

Unlike Chicago, during boarding, none of CX Ground Agents addressed me with my name, which was fine - but they did insist to refer me to Business Class boarding, even I was traveling on Economy Class.

Back to Square #1, when did I find out I was traveling with the same aircraft? Right after I boarded the aircraft, by the courtesy of the crack.

As soon as I found out that, I immediately demanded to speak to a senior Flight Attendant and see how they can fix the issue - the "raining". After several communications with the Ground Agents (the Flight Attendant who helped me told me later that it was none of their business when the aircraft was on the ground), Cathay Pacific offered the following:

1. Middle Bulkhead

2. Same Seat (31A)

I took the second option. Why? It was simple - you rather experience "rain" or sit with others (31B was opened and 31C was occupied by a Diamond Member (DM).

And again, the same safety issue happened again (You can see my trip report for CX 807 for detail).

In term of the food, it was definitely not the worst I have ever eaten. But I can say there are rooms for improvement.

Did it "rain"? Not this time.

My guess is the temperature difference was not large enough (Outbound - about 30∘C; Inbound - about 10∘C)

There were couples of tiny things I like for this one:

1. The Flight Attendant (who served my section and helped me earlier) addressed me Mr. Kung all the time, not even the DM got this treatment.

2. Cathay Pacific uses 2 carousels in Chicago - one for Economy and one for the rest (First / Business / oneworld elite / crew). This makes the baggage coming out even faster.

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Miles Long March - Check-In

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 705 

The 22000 Mile Long March – Hyatt Regency O’Hare

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion 


It was time going back to Hong Kong. And it was quite an experience.

As the major hub of Air China, you can expect how many passengers are traveling from Beijing Capital International Airport per day (both domestic and international). They offer 5 different lines – International Economy (due to special circumstances, Hong Kong is considered as an international destination), Domestic Economy, Buiness Class and Star Alliance, First Class, and PhoenixMiles Platinum. So without doubt, if I can check it as a regular Economy customer, we are talking about at least 30 minutes of wait time.

As a Star Alliance Gold member, I checked in at Business Class counter again. This time I can see how disorganized Air China is. Unlike other major airlines which form single line for check in, Air China Business Class uses one line per counter:

Last Tulip??

So you can imagine what will happen when you pick the wrong line, which exactly what I did. Apparently, there were issues in checking-in the passengers who were in front of me (I was next one). So I had been waiting in line for 10 minutes for nothing really. Fortunately, a new counter was available, which made me the first one. Then I proceeded to the Air China Business Class Lounge:

There was nothing really special about the lounge. The food looked decent but I did not try due to a full lunch prior to the airport. But in the lounge, I had kind of created a screen – the pursue of power outlet.

In the lounge, not all power outlets were working. Since I have settled with the one not working, I had been holding my laptop walking through the lounge, trying to find one that was not occupied and working. And it took me about 10 minutes.

There was a service I want to compliment Air China – free cart ride from the lounge to the gate. But it was only available to premium passengers and Air China elite. For me, it would cost RMB$10 (which unlike Shanghai Pudong International Airport). So I walked.

Finally made to the gate with final boarding warning (about 20 minutes before departure…oh well) as I walked in the wrong direction of the airport. During boarding, there was another DYKWIA scene – a tourist from Hong Kong EGT Tour complained about out of overhead space for storage (he and his companion were among the last boarding the plane). So you can imagine there were some minor confrontations there.

Since I had a full lunch and expected a full dinner, I did not eat or drink anything in the plane. But I would not be surprised that if I had tried, it would have been the same experience as my previous flight.

And then I met another passenger who sat next to me, talking about how to get cheap tickets (and to be honest, what she mentioned can never compare to what I have ever gotten).

And again, I experienced my reason why I hate Airbus – broken seat – the seat handle was basically separated into 2 portions.

Maybe complaining is one of the "must-do" for my travel.

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Miles Long March - Check-In

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 705 

The 22000 Mile Long March – Hyatt Regency O’Hare

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 108

The 22000 Mile Long March – CA 115

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

The 22000 Miles Long March – UA 973

The 22000 Miles Long March – Conclusion 


November 13, 2011 - CA 108 (Hong Kong > Beijing Capital International Airport)

Getting a quick rest, not even a decent sleep, I was back to Hong Kong International Airport for my flight to Beijing:

MTR's Siu Ho Wan Depot

Ngong Ping 360

Cathay City

As a Star Alliance Gold member, I checked in at Business Class counter without any issue. The agent promptly issued lounge invitation to me, which I kindly declined (but I got it anyway), because the agent issued the invitation for GNAC lounge, which is known not a very good lounge in Hong Kong. Beside, I can access Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Lounge, United Club (and International First Lounge) and Singapore Airlines’ Silver Kris Lounge.

I chose Thai first as I have never been there. The place is decent and spacious. But it is not as decent as United Club, as United Club has a better food choice and shower room. Even those there are a lot of interesting amenities at Thai’s Royal Orchid Lounge, like Wii and Xbox 360, as well as message chair, the choice of food had already made a significant difference already. So I finished my breakfast at United Club:

Thai's Xbox 360

Message Chair

Ice Cream Bar (Korean Style)

Thai's Offering for Breakfast

Thai's Royal Orchid Lounge

I promptly proceeded to the gate when it was the time for boarding. Air China in Hong Kong use a remote location to board the aircraft. So I was referred to take a bus to the tarmac, and it has been a long time I have not experience this (the last time was when Kai Tek was still exist). So due to such technical difficulty, I was not given priority boarding, which was fine.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321, is dry-leased from Air Macau, which Air China owns a significant share. Since I was young, I have been traveled with my parents a lot to the Mainland China (by sea, land, and air). So from my previous experience, I would not expect a lot of Air China:

Caution Label (In English/Traditional Chinese but not Simpified Chinese)

Air Macau Safety Card

 It turned out that they were fine except that:

1. The legroom was really small (it was even smaller than that regular Economy I sat for my first flight):

2. The flight attendant was a little bit rude (Due to special circumstances, air travel in China was tricky – as a lot of passengers are DYKWIA (Do you know who I am?), aka Entitlement Class. So somehow the flight attendants need to be diplomatic in some cases).

3. The food…oh well…eat before you board, if you can. (I am not saying it was not edible by its taste. But simply if I had the choice, I would not have eaten that food):

Well…it was a short-haul flight, so only overhead IFEs were available, which I did not even check that out (as I was busy updating the trip report for the blog – which you are reading now).