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It's Good to Be in DC: Part 1&2 (PHX-JFK-DCA on DL)
Well, thought I'd make use of my three day weekend and start on my next short (haha-scared you for a second, didn't I?) series of trip reports for last year's Washington DC Trip. For the sake of saving space on the topic-board I've combined the legs of my direct flight to DCA. Happy reading!
[photoid=400302] [photoid=254968]
Delta #1220
PHX-JFK
3/19/04
ETD: 0950 local
ETA: 1630 local (ish?)
Boeing 757-200
My parents will wake up some days and say "Hey, we should go to such 'n such," and then plan a massive trip there. This was the case with Washington DC. But hey- if it involves flying I'm all for it!
We were up bright & early for our morning flight out of Phoenix. We had used our SkyMiles to book free flights on Delta to DC, which would have us switching planes in New York. We have never done a connecting service before- we (well, they- I like more a/c types) prefer to fly non-stop. For some odd reason, my dad likes to pack the morning-of, so this usually gets us out of the house a little later than I like. After some high-performance driving in the family minivan, we made it to the airport on time though.
Security was no-problem as usual, and we had a little under an hour before boarding was to begin, so I started snapping away with my camera while everyone else went to Wendy's for breakfast.
Boarding began on-time after the ticket agents were able to accomodate a massive amount of passengers without seat assignments. We were part of the last group to board, which created some problems. Our plane had Delta's new overhead bins installed- which seem kind of small for a 757- and they were STUFFED full, I'm not kidding. The flight attendants were running around trying to rearrange luggage (since nobody knows how to load overhead bins properly) and accomodate the seemingly endless line of pax standing in the aisle. Needless to say they did a great job and we managed to pushback on time.
Engines were started, and from my window seat over the left wing I could see the hot swirling exhaust fumes over the hot tarmac blast into an intensified stream when the GE's kicked over. Flaps were set to 15 or 20 degrees (couldn't tell), and we migrated to the south runways for a west departure.
After a good 10-15 minutes of stop & go traffic (busy morning today) we were #2, and cleared for takeoff on 25L. After a decent roll, our loaded '75 began a slow climb out of Phoenix, and the flaps were retracted immediately after takeoff (thought that was odd).
During climb they played a MOVIE saying it was okay to turn on electrical devices & to remind us to take care when opening the bins. Shortly after, the flight attendants came through selling headsets for our inflight movie, Lost in Translation (not my fav, but oh well- no big). The person in front of me was kind enough to recline their seat (thankfully my laptop was small enough that I could keep it open and still work- my brother wasn't so fortunate haha), so by now I can't even move.
Luckily, I was able to survive when drinks came around for the first time right after the movie started. I had my regular tomatoe on ice with a bag of pretzels (I wanted the Cape-Cod chips that other people were getting, but I guess it was luck of the draw today).
[photoid=254975]
Lunch menus were brought around about halfway into the movie. "Pay-for-Food" lunch included a salad, roast beef/turkey sandwich, and a snickerdoodle cookie. For snacks, they have mixed nuts, trail mix, crackers, chocolate, etc. I opted for the turkey sandwhich with another one of my favorite tomatoe's on ice, which was pretty good actually- their pay-for-food is in generous quantities and quite filling.
During lunch we had some light intermittent turbulence, but got clearance to climb out of it.
Our cabin crew today was very lively and cheerful- I must say- I was impressed.
One even remembered what drink I wanted when she brought the cart around for the THIRD (yes, third!) time!- Now that's something that makes customers really happy. 
Over the Great Lakes and through the plains, to Donald Trump's empire we go.
After Lost in Translation ended, they left the TVs on and tuned to TLC. I spent the rest of the flight playing on the laptop and listening to jazz on Delta's radio. I was surprised at how low the cabin altitude felt- my ears didn't even plug- it was like we never left the ground. Might have just been me though.
[photoid=254977]
We began our descent pretty far out, and with some help from the airbrakes we entered JFK's extremely large arrival pattern. After what must have been a good 20 minutes, I saw land again, and we touched down on the runway, heading west.
After a short taxi by some really cool new aircraft&paintjobs that I hadn't seen before, we made it to our gate and pulled up next to another DL757. Yay- we're in NY!
[photoid=254979]
All right- now for the integrated 'part two.'
Delta #1285
JFK-DCA
ETD: 1735 local
ETA: 1835 local (ish?)
Micky-D MD-88
OK. So after we deplane in JFK, we hang around the 757/767 section of the terminal for a while to grab something to eat and relax. I went off and explored Song's new area & their lively colored marketing, and admired the HUGE floor-ceiling windows that gave you an excellent view of the entire tarmac- those were my favorite part of JFK- very cool. Then we migrated all the way over to Gate 1 (thought that was cool that out of all the gates at JFK we had #1 , where our MD-88 connection to DCA was going to leave without us. Delta's Mini Cooper was on the way though-had to stop & see that!
We were in such a rush I didn't manage to get many pictures. Gate 1 wasn't visible from the windows either- we walked down a long tunnel type of thing and turned a corner to get to it after checking in.
When we walked into the MD88, I was surprised at how roomy it felt for looking like such a small jet from the outside. I could stand up with ease, and when I slid into my window seat, it was wider and had a larger pitch than on the 757! It was great- I loved it! This was my first flight (that I can remember) on an M88, so I was anxious to hear how loud they really were. Our M88 was retro-fitted with the same interrior and bins as the 757, but luckily the flight was only about 1/3 full, so we didn't run out of bin space. It sat nice and low on the gear, so as we taxied by all the big jets we got an interesting perspective at just how big 744s and A340s really are.
This SAA 744 had some squad cars and an armored truck by the aft cargo door when it was unloading- wonder what was in the hold...
JFK had either quieted down before the evening rush, or we used a remote runway, but after taxiing by the CRJ "parking lot," we were #1 for departure and slid into a rolling takeoff. I was expecting a deafening roar, but the engines were damn near silent- I was surprised (then again I was seated a few rows behind first class, but still!). We just kept going down the runway faster and faster and I was like "Where'd the engines go?" I guess putting them aft of the wing really does make a noise difference (if you're sitting up front).
Our climb was fast- everything about this jet was fast- felt like I was in a sports car. Takeoff pushed you back into your seat more than other jets, and it took us almost no time to climb up through the clouds and to FL160 for the short hop to DCA.
[photoid=256277]
While cruising to DCA, we had a beautiful sunset that cast its radiant oranges and golds over the tops of the clouds- great way to end the day with an M88 and a terrific sunset...
Since FAA regulations state you must remain in your seat 30min prior to landing at our Nation's Capital, drink service was hurried and limitted- you had a choice of Coke, Diet Coke, and Orange Juice. The snack mix was REALLY good though!- wow! I wanted to ask for another one.
We began our quick descent shortly after drinks finished, and entered the approach for the runway that's in-line with the Potomac. After a beautiful approach over the river, the pilot wasted no time in setting us down and kicking in the reverse thrust so we wouldn't run off the other end into the water.
After a short taxi, we pulled up alongside two other MD88s and deplaned. After a nice dinner at the airport KPC, we headed to our hotel and enjoyed our new night-time view of the capitol dome and Washington Memorial. What a great day!
Thanks for reading!
[photoid=400302] [photoid=254968]
Delta #1220
PHX-JFK
3/19/04
ETD: 0950 local
ETA: 1630 local (ish?)
Boeing 757-200
My parents will wake up some days and say "Hey, we should go to such 'n such," and then plan a massive trip there. This was the case with Washington DC. But hey- if it involves flying I'm all for it!
We were up bright & early for our morning flight out of Phoenix. We had used our SkyMiles to book free flights on Delta to DC, which would have us switching planes in New York. We have never done a connecting service before- we (well, they- I like more a/c types) prefer to fly non-stop. For some odd reason, my dad likes to pack the morning-of, so this usually gets us out of the house a little later than I like. After some high-performance driving in the family minivan, we made it to the airport on time though.
Security was no-problem as usual, and we had a little under an hour before boarding was to begin, so I started snapping away with my camera while everyone else went to Wendy's for breakfast.
Boarding began on-time after the ticket agents were able to accomodate a massive amount of passengers without seat assignments. We were part of the last group to board, which created some problems. Our plane had Delta's new overhead bins installed- which seem kind of small for a 757- and they were STUFFED full, I'm not kidding. The flight attendants were running around trying to rearrange luggage (since nobody knows how to load overhead bins properly) and accomodate the seemingly endless line of pax standing in the aisle. Needless to say they did a great job and we managed to pushback on time.
Engines were started, and from my window seat over the left wing I could see the hot swirling exhaust fumes over the hot tarmac blast into an intensified stream when the GE's kicked over. Flaps were set to 15 or 20 degrees (couldn't tell), and we migrated to the south runways for a west departure.
After a good 10-15 minutes of stop & go traffic (busy morning today) we were #2, and cleared for takeoff on 25L. After a decent roll, our loaded '75 began a slow climb out of Phoenix, and the flaps were retracted immediately after takeoff (thought that was odd).
During climb they played a MOVIE saying it was okay to turn on electrical devices & to remind us to take care when opening the bins. Shortly after, the flight attendants came through selling headsets for our inflight movie, Lost in Translation (not my fav, but oh well- no big). The person in front of me was kind enough to recline their seat (thankfully my laptop was small enough that I could keep it open and still work- my brother wasn't so fortunate haha), so by now I can't even move.
Luckily, I was able to survive when drinks came around for the first time right after the movie started. I had my regular tomatoe on ice with a bag of pretzels (I wanted the Cape-Cod chips that other people were getting, but I guess it was luck of the draw today). [photoid=254975]
Lunch menus were brought around about halfway into the movie. "Pay-for-Food" lunch included a salad, roast beef/turkey sandwich, and a snickerdoodle cookie. For snacks, they have mixed nuts, trail mix, crackers, chocolate, etc. I opted for the turkey sandwhich with another one of my favorite tomatoe's on ice, which was pretty good actually- their pay-for-food is in generous quantities and quite filling.
During lunch we had some light intermittent turbulence, but got clearance to climb out of it.
Our cabin crew today was very lively and cheerful- I must say- I was impressed.
One even remembered what drink I wanted when she brought the cart around for the THIRD (yes, third!) time!- Now that's something that makes customers really happy. Over the Great Lakes and through the plains, to Donald Trump's empire we go.
After Lost in Translation ended, they left the TVs on and tuned to TLC. I spent the rest of the flight playing on the laptop and listening to jazz on Delta's radio. I was surprised at how low the cabin altitude felt- my ears didn't even plug- it was like we never left the ground. Might have just been me though.
[photoid=254977]
We began our descent pretty far out, and with some help from the airbrakes we entered JFK's extremely large arrival pattern. After what must have been a good 20 minutes, I saw land again, and we touched down on the runway, heading west.
After a short taxi by some really cool new aircraft&paintjobs that I hadn't seen before, we made it to our gate and pulled up next to another DL757. Yay- we're in NY!
[photoid=254979]
All right- now for the integrated 'part two.'
Delta #1285
JFK-DCA
ETD: 1735 local
ETA: 1835 local (ish?)
Micky-D MD-88
OK. So after we deplane in JFK, we hang around the 757/767 section of the terminal for a while to grab something to eat and relax. I went off and explored Song's new area & their lively colored marketing, and admired the HUGE floor-ceiling windows that gave you an excellent view of the entire tarmac- those were my favorite part of JFK- very cool.
Then we migrated all the way over to Gate 1 (thought that was cool that out of all the gates at JFK we had #1 , where our MD-88 connection to DCA was going to leave without us. Delta's Mini Cooper was on the way though-had to stop & see that!We were in such a rush I didn't manage to get many pictures. Gate 1 wasn't visible from the windows either- we walked down a long tunnel type of thing and turned a corner to get to it after checking in.
When we walked into the MD88, I was surprised at how roomy it felt for looking like such a small jet from the outside. I could stand up with ease, and when I slid into my window seat, it was wider and had a larger pitch than on the 757!
It was great- I loved it! This was my first flight (that I can remember) on an M88, so I was anxious to hear how loud they really were. Our M88 was retro-fitted with the same interrior and bins as the 757, but luckily the flight was only about 1/3 full, so we didn't run out of bin space. It sat nice and low on the gear, so as we taxied by all the big jets we got an interesting perspective at just how big 744s and A340s really are. This SAA 744 had some squad cars and an armored truck by the aft cargo door when it was unloading- wonder what was in the hold...
JFK had either quieted down before the evening rush, or we used a remote runway, but after taxiing by the CRJ "parking lot," we were #1 for departure and slid into a rolling takeoff. I was expecting a deafening roar, but the engines were damn near silent- I was surprised (then again I was seated a few rows behind first class, but still!). We just kept going down the runway faster and faster and I was like "Where'd the engines go?" I guess putting them aft of the wing really does make a noise difference (if you're sitting up front
).Our climb was fast- everything about this jet was fast- felt like I was in a sports car. Takeoff pushed you back into your seat more than other jets, and it took us almost no time to climb up through the clouds and to FL160 for the short hop to DCA.
[photoid=256277]
While cruising to DCA, we had a beautiful sunset that cast its radiant oranges and golds over the tops of the clouds- great way to end the day with an M88 and a terrific sunset...
Since FAA regulations state you must remain in your seat 30min prior to landing at our Nation's Capital, drink service was hurried and limitted- you had a choice of Coke, Diet Coke, and Orange Juice. The snack mix was REALLY good though!- wow! I wanted to ask for another one.
We began our quick descent shortly after drinks finished, and entered the approach for the runway that's in-line with the Potomac. After a beautiful approach over the river, the pilot wasted no time in setting us down and kicking in the reverse thrust so we wouldn't run off the other end into the water.
After a short taxi, we pulled up alongside two other MD88s and deplaned. After a nice dinner at the airport KPC, we headed to our hotel and enjoyed our new night-time view of the capitol dome and Washington Memorial. What a great day!
Thanks for reading!
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