Tweet
LGA-ATL on AirTran
Here is a recap of my trip to ATL which I just got back from today. I had some extra time until school started after christmas so I figured it would be a great excuse to visit my relatives who live in Georgia. Here we go!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
AirTran Airways Flight 367
Scheduled departure time: 3:45pm
Scheduled arrival time: 6:25pm
Actual departure time: 4:30pm
Wheels Up: 4:45pm
Touchdown: 6:45pm
Actual arrival time: 6:55pm
Departure gate: B8
Arrival Gate: D5
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
I arrived at the airport at 3:00pm for my orginal flight which was to leave at 4:52pm (Flight 349) When I got to the AirTran ticket counter, the Customer Service Agent asked me if I wanted to leave on the earlier 3:45 flight because she had one seat left. Of course I said yes when she told me the flight was on a 73G, as I had never been on AirTran's 737 (or a 737 period for that matter). More on why that was a good decision later. Got my boarding pass for 14E, dropped my checked pieces at the TSA machine, and headed for B Concourse security at LGA's Central Terminal Building. Security line was around the corner, but it moved quickly. Got to gate B8 at 3:20pm. There was extrememly low visibility at LGA (you couldn't see anything past the runways) so I was expecting delays. Sure enough we would not be departing until atleast 4:15 according to the gate agent. Our plane pulled in to the gate at 3:50, and we began boarding as soon as the last passengers deplaned.
The flight was oversold by one person, so one man sacrificed himself to go on the next flight and we were off. There was a lineup for runway 31, but we were still only number 4 in the cue. We finally turned onto the runway and held for about 5 minutes. Next thing I know I hear this extremely loud roar and we're off. I swear, from what people have told me about 757 take offs, I thought i was on one of those and not a 73G. Man was that thing powerful! I shot back in my seat so hard, my head was hurting! Definitely more powerful than the 717s I was used to. Anyways, as soon as we rotated we were in the clouds, and didn't come out of them until about 20,000 feet. The pilot kept the seat belt sign on until we got to our crusing altitude, which was 36,000 feet. Our flight attendants today were Bambi, Debbie, & Jeff. All were extremely attentive and helpful. You could tell they loved their jobs. During the inflight service, they gave everyone a full of can of whatever beverage they wanted, and served pretzels and cheddar whales (just like goldfish, except in the shape of whales. Bambi told me this was in honor of AirTran's corporate sponsorship of the new Georgia Aquarium). This aircraft was equipped with XM Satellite Radio, and I took full advantage. Its a great service, and I'm glad AirTran decided to install it on their planes. This was a pretty uneventful flight, just a few bumps here and there but nothing major.
As we neared the GA/SC state line, the captain told us we were being placed in a holding pattern. A collective sigh could be heard in the cabin. The captain said that ATC promised no more than 2 complete turns in the hold. We descended to 18,000 feet, and after 2 turns, we completed our descent into ATL, landing on runway 27L with full brakes and reverse thrust. We had to wait for a few planes to depart before we could cross 27R, but it wasn't too bad. We were already late so what's another 5 minutes? We arrived at the D concourse and deplaned. I must say, I love AirTran's area in the D concourse much more than the C. The C conourse seems like a greyhound station, but the D gates are bright and airy, and have the LCD screens that display the flight information, like Delta has. The C concourse needs a serious makeover.
Headed downstairs for the train ride over to baggage claim, where the bags didn't come out for another 30 minutes. Thats the oly complaint I ever have about AirTran. There baggage service at ATL sucks! Otherwise they are a great airline.
I must say, AirTran has once again proved that there is no reason for me to fly anyone else. From the new planes to the friendly crew members, AirTran is top notch in my book. Since I've been in college (3 years now) I've been flying Airtran 4-5 times a years, and everytime they get better and better.
PS- Right after this flight took off, the fog got worse at LGA. Once I got to my Aunt's house in Atlanta, I checked airtran.com and discovered that the flight I supposed to be on didn't leave LGA until 8:00, when it was supposed to leave at 4:52! I felt so sorry for that man who gave up his seat, but was glad I took the customer service agent up on her offer to leave earlier!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
AirTran Airways Flight 367
Scheduled departure time: 3:45pm
Scheduled arrival time: 6:25pm
Actual departure time: 4:30pm
Wheels Up: 4:45pm
Touchdown: 6:45pm
Actual arrival time: 6:55pm
Departure gate: B8
Arrival Gate: D5
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
I arrived at the airport at 3:00pm for my orginal flight which was to leave at 4:52pm (Flight 349) When I got to the AirTran ticket counter, the Customer Service Agent asked me if I wanted to leave on the earlier 3:45 flight because she had one seat left. Of course I said yes when she told me the flight was on a 73G, as I had never been on AirTran's 737 (or a 737 period for that matter). More on why that was a good decision later. Got my boarding pass for 14E, dropped my checked pieces at the TSA machine, and headed for B Concourse security at LGA's Central Terminal Building. Security line was around the corner, but it moved quickly. Got to gate B8 at 3:20pm. There was extrememly low visibility at LGA (you couldn't see anything past the runways) so I was expecting delays. Sure enough we would not be departing until atleast 4:15 according to the gate agent. Our plane pulled in to the gate at 3:50, and we began boarding as soon as the last passengers deplaned.
The flight was oversold by one person, so one man sacrificed himself to go on the next flight and we were off. There was a lineup for runway 31, but we were still only number 4 in the cue. We finally turned onto the runway and held for about 5 minutes. Next thing I know I hear this extremely loud roar and we're off. I swear, from what people have told me about 757 take offs, I thought i was on one of those and not a 73G. Man was that thing powerful! I shot back in my seat so hard, my head was hurting! Definitely more powerful than the 717s I was used to. Anyways, as soon as we rotated we were in the clouds, and didn't come out of them until about 20,000 feet. The pilot kept the seat belt sign on until we got to our crusing altitude, which was 36,000 feet. Our flight attendants today were Bambi, Debbie, & Jeff. All were extremely attentive and helpful. You could tell they loved their jobs. During the inflight service, they gave everyone a full of can of whatever beverage they wanted, and served pretzels and cheddar whales (just like goldfish, except in the shape of whales. Bambi told me this was in honor of AirTran's corporate sponsorship of the new Georgia Aquarium). This aircraft was equipped with XM Satellite Radio, and I took full advantage. Its a great service, and I'm glad AirTran decided to install it on their planes. This was a pretty uneventful flight, just a few bumps here and there but nothing major.
As we neared the GA/SC state line, the captain told us we were being placed in a holding pattern. A collective sigh could be heard in the cabin. The captain said that ATC promised no more than 2 complete turns in the hold. We descended to 18,000 feet, and after 2 turns, we completed our descent into ATL, landing on runway 27L with full brakes and reverse thrust. We had to wait for a few planes to depart before we could cross 27R, but it wasn't too bad. We were already late so what's another 5 minutes? We arrived at the D concourse and deplaned. I must say, I love AirTran's area in the D concourse much more than the C. The C conourse seems like a greyhound station, but the D gates are bright and airy, and have the LCD screens that display the flight information, like Delta has. The C concourse needs a serious makeover.
Headed downstairs for the train ride over to baggage claim, where the bags didn't come out for another 30 minutes. Thats the oly complaint I ever have about AirTran. There baggage service at ATL sucks! Otherwise they are a great airline.
I must say, AirTran has once again proved that there is no reason for me to fly anyone else. From the new planes to the friendly crew members, AirTran is top notch in my book. Since I've been in college (3 years now) I've been flying Airtran 4-5 times a years, and everytime they get better and better.
PS- Right after this flight took off, the fog got worse at LGA. Once I got to my Aunt's house in Atlanta, I checked airtran.com and discovered that the flight I supposed to be on didn't leave LGA until 8:00, when it was supposed to leave at 4:52! I felt so sorry for that man who gave up his seat, but was glad I took the customer service agent up on her offer to leave earlier!
Comment