United Airlines 757-200 Business First Class Seats

I love the 757; it's a wonderful aircraft without rival (Boeing and Airbus are working to change that). The aircraft is over powered, has amazing range, looks cool, and boards through the second door so first class passengers turn left.  Fewer United Airlines passengers are turning left these days though. The 737-900ER is taking over most of the 757 routes. The legacy United 757's are swiftly being retired to be parted out or converted to freighters for FedEx.  The legacy Continental 757's still in service are the stretched -300 version and the international configuration -200 version. These have 8 fewer first class seats, so upgrades are difficult to find. I was lucky recently to have an upgrade from IAH to EWR and enjoyed the big screen and the bed.  The seat was great and I slept very well. 

Seat 2A For Taxi, Takeoff, and Landing

Seat 2A Reclined

Seat 2A Flat Bed

Southwest A-List Fast Track Offer

The tempting Southwest Airlines short cut to A List status offer only gives status through December 31, 2015.  If the status lasted through December 31, 2016, I would have flown the three round trips for status, but it isn't worth it for me for 10 months of status.

Southwest 737 at Las Vegas

Mr Bussa, we’re making changes to the Executive Club

I dread emails from airlines announcing changes to frequent flyer programs.  They are never good news. Prices are raising for premium cabin travel, first class is 33% more, business class 50% more, and premium economy 33% more. Coach is the same, but the expensive fuel surcharge fees make coach a losing proposition anyway. Book before April 28 to avoid the higher prices, full details here.

I Can't Afford a Business Class Ticket With These Changes

Thoughts on an MD-80

Here's a nice obituary for an MD-80.  Airports have had American MD-80's for as long as I can remember, it will be a big change when they are gone.

American Airlines MD-80's

New Camera - Sony W830

My dependable Canon point & shoot has retired.  One of the in inner lenses got some dirt on it and repairs are not cost effective. My new point & shoot is the Sony W830. My iPhone is great for quick snaps with no zoom and good lighting, but I need a small camera that is good in low light and with an optical zoom. I settled on the Sony because I got a smoking deal on it.  I'm still getting used to the differences between Sony and Canon and am excited to post some new pictures. Contrary to many recent news stories, there still is a need for point & shoots, even though the market has shrunk.

New Photo Machine

Dirt That Forced My Canon To Retire Above Terminal

There's a Slight Shutter Delay - Still Learning

Have the Shutter Delay Under Control

A few samples

The joy of optical zoom

Works at night too

Negative 19 Minute Connection Confuses United.com

I made a negative 19 minute connection in Houston this week.  My flight from EWR was 37 minutes early and the next flight to Denver was a 4 minute jog away.  Even with the lackadaisical nature of people deplaning in front of me, I made it to the Denver flight before the paperwork was finished.  I was added to the flight in seat 2A; happily a first class passenger didn't make it and his seat hadn't been filled by someone else.  I saw on United.com that their IT didn't quite know how to show a negative connection time.

Yes, I Did Make This Connection

Alaska Airlines' New Logo

I don't like it.  Alaska Airlines is now just Alaska and I think the new logo and branding loses some of the brand's charm.  The new logo is bolder (typographically not emotionally), drops "Airlines," and changes K to not overlap the final A.  It's easier to read, but is missing something.

I Don't Like It