ATrude777
09-18-2005, 06:02 AM
Well, so it begins another trip report from Alex. You may be wondering why I chose MCI as my “day trip” I don’t really know. SDF, OKC, TUL, OKC, all the others, the schedule did not fit my time, and I did not want to go back to MDW for personal reasons, and MCI was the 2nd choice, plus Tom told me to do it (Even though he swears he said BWI, but that’s another story). I did a day trip because I was hoping to fly to LAX to meet up with Tommy and Phil and the rest of you all at LAX Oct 7-9th. Only way I could do it for free (since I am such a cheapass) was to use my Rapid reward Credit. But I still had to fly one more round trip to get my 16th credit. Southwest was having a sale to Midwest cities from STL so I decided now would be the best time to do it. So I booked a flight for 98 dollars r/t STL-MCI-STL.
On that day, I woke up around 5:30am, to get ready, pack my backpack with my camera, sunglasses, the usual traveling stuff. Around 7:00am I left my house to head to the Metro link in Belleville, Illinois. Why there? Because free parking (Don’t forget I’m a cheap ass) and security was 24/7 too. So perfect for me. I pulled into the Metro link station at around 9:00am. I went to pay for my tickets and then got on the train. 5 minutes later the train pulled away. We stopped at different stations along the way, making the time get longer, and longer. I had expected this however so I left earlier for this reason. We got near STL and I saw planes coming in. COMAIR, AA MD80, WN 73G…all this time I am talking to Tommy on the phone texting about breakfast…and this hot chic he saw. (Couldn’t even see her face…) I snapped a couple of pictures as we approached STL from the train.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci1.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci2.JPG>
I got out of the Metro link and walked around taking pics of the E Terminal which houses Southwest Airlines.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci3.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci4.JPG>
Well enough of that. I walked inside the E terminal. I had checked in last night at 12:02am, and was the 7th to check in. Damn it, wonder who got 1st and 2nd? (I ended up meeting them :)) I did not have my printer hooked up, but that was ok, as long as I was checked in, I could re-print my boarding pass at the Airport. So I did just that. Got it printed out. I went through security. I could tell the guy was studying me and he asked me if I had a cochlear implant. I said no these are just normal hearing aids. He said ok then, you may continue. So I went through, got my stuff back together, and there was a huge display about the Set Love Free situation. It was awesome.
SET LOVE FREE
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci5.JPG>
I went to talk to the agent about the Wright Amendment and such. She and I discussed about it and the display. It was very comical. After that I walked around towards the D concourse. It is looking MUCH better then ever before. They had installed new carpets, and seats are displayed correctly. It is very clean, and I was very impressed by it.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci6.JPG>
Someone asked to see the Frontier Gate areas.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci7.JPG>
I walked around some more; here are pics of the new carpet and some boxes.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci8.JPG>
The Design is really cool.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci9.JPG>
Well after that, I walked around to the B Concourse. I talked to an AA agent about the props being moved. She said that they will use the intl gates at the end, and try to fill 10-12 flights a day per gate. This will be interesting to see. They will use jet bridges and attach stairs into the plane from the jet bridge, kind of neat! So I walked back to the C concourse and admired the new restaurants and stores. It was semi busy.
Here is the new CNBC Store
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci10.JPG>
Brooks Brothers
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci11.JPG>
Wolfgang Puck
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci12.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci13.JPG>
Chili’s
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci14.JPG>
As you can see they turned out very nice and hopefully will make STL a lot more appealing now! I continued the walk down the C concourse. Saw flights using all the way up to C-28. Very nice to see. After that, it went down in the dumps.
I did like seeing the new refreshing updated signs.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci15.JPG>
Some awful, embarrassing pictures of C, I shall let them speak for themselves.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci16.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci17.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci18.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci19.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci20.JPG>
After seeing that sad sight…I walked away and went back to the East Terminal. I noticed a hot F/A for WN sitting there reading her paper. I came over and asked if she was working or done for the day. I sat next to her and we ended up talking for over 30 minutes. She was a really nice lady and I found out she was based in MDW, but commutes from LIT. She has been flying with WN for 8 yrs, and prefers the -700 and long hauls. Wonderful woman and we even traded e-mails. I will definitely keep in touch with her. Soon it was time for my flight to be arriving. So I headed to E-8 and lined up to wait for the plane to come up.
Paul from southwest PM’d me to let me know my flight was N331SW. This plane is an OLD plane. I expected it to be old and shabby and it certainly was. We were scheduled to leave at 1:00pm, but of course the plane was late. I stood in line for the A line and chatted with this nice couple from SDF heading to SAN. At 12:55pm everyone got off the plane and we started to board. It was a light load; all the middle seats seemed to be empty. The plane was in fact N331SW when it pulled up. Blue colors too. They announced A boarding, and I came forward with the rest of the line. Handed the woman my boarding pass and got on board. Headed to seat 17F Sat down and started snapping pictures. N217JC pulled up next to me.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci21.JPG>
After everyone else had boarded, we taxied back out and headed to R 12L. We turned and started the take off run.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci22.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci23.JPG>
We took a HUGE turn over STL Airport, and we flew past STL on the way to MCI.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci24.JPG>
Service started immediately. The F/A went around asking us for drink choices. The Mexican male F/A handed out two bags of peanuts. My seat stayed reclined the whole time. It was a bit uncomfortable. Thank god it was a short flight though. Then the female F/A came around with my coke and I finished the peanuts. Something I noticed, WN REALLY needs to update the napkins. It is old. Lol. Pretty soon we started the descent for MCI. It was quite a rapid descent. Finally we turned and landed on 19L at around 2:10pm.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci26.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci27.JPG>
We taxied off the runway and immediately I saw some cool planes, an AWA, DL planes. I saw a DL 767 there. Didn’t know why until I stepped into the Terminal.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci28.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci29.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci30.JPG>
I stepped in and was appalled at the space you are given. Holy shit, not even 15 walking feet from the gate to the security. It was crowded because of no space. It resembeled DFW, a MUCH, MUCH smaller, and cramped version. But I could recognize the design of it. I went off to find a Kiosk machine to check in for my MCI-STL. No such luck. Had to leave security for that. Screw that. So I went to a gate agent and checked in there. She printed it out, I was number 37, A card again. Yeeehaaaw! She said your flight is leaving from 38. My face fell. That meant I had to leave security and re-enter. You have GOT to be kidding me?!?! But nope. I went out, went to the bathroom, and walked around for a bit. I heard a loud commotion. I turned and recognized a large group of people coming near the gate with the DL 767 there. I realized I was watching the Kansas City Chiefs board the plane!! I saw little kids running up for autographs! Thought that was really cool! They had police around to keep things under control and it was really cool. The place is really dead. I coulda had a heart attack and no one would have known!
This basically ends my STL-MCI, MCI-STL coming up next.
Alex
On that day, I woke up around 5:30am, to get ready, pack my backpack with my camera, sunglasses, the usual traveling stuff. Around 7:00am I left my house to head to the Metro link in Belleville, Illinois. Why there? Because free parking (Don’t forget I’m a cheap ass) and security was 24/7 too. So perfect for me. I pulled into the Metro link station at around 9:00am. I went to pay for my tickets and then got on the train. 5 minutes later the train pulled away. We stopped at different stations along the way, making the time get longer, and longer. I had expected this however so I left earlier for this reason. We got near STL and I saw planes coming in. COMAIR, AA MD80, WN 73G…all this time I am talking to Tommy on the phone texting about breakfast…and this hot chic he saw. (Couldn’t even see her face…) I snapped a couple of pictures as we approached STL from the train.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci1.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci2.JPG>
I got out of the Metro link and walked around taking pics of the E Terminal which houses Southwest Airlines.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci3.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci4.JPG>
Well enough of that. I walked inside the E terminal. I had checked in last night at 12:02am, and was the 7th to check in. Damn it, wonder who got 1st and 2nd? (I ended up meeting them :)) I did not have my printer hooked up, but that was ok, as long as I was checked in, I could re-print my boarding pass at the Airport. So I did just that. Got it printed out. I went through security. I could tell the guy was studying me and he asked me if I had a cochlear implant. I said no these are just normal hearing aids. He said ok then, you may continue. So I went through, got my stuff back together, and there was a huge display about the Set Love Free situation. It was awesome.
SET LOVE FREE
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci5.JPG>
I went to talk to the agent about the Wright Amendment and such. She and I discussed about it and the display. It was very comical. After that I walked around towards the D concourse. It is looking MUCH better then ever before. They had installed new carpets, and seats are displayed correctly. It is very clean, and I was very impressed by it.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci6.JPG>
Someone asked to see the Frontier Gate areas.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci7.JPG>
I walked around some more; here are pics of the new carpet and some boxes.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci8.JPG>
The Design is really cool.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci9.JPG>
Well after that, I walked around to the B Concourse. I talked to an AA agent about the props being moved. She said that they will use the intl gates at the end, and try to fill 10-12 flights a day per gate. This will be interesting to see. They will use jet bridges and attach stairs into the plane from the jet bridge, kind of neat! So I walked back to the C concourse and admired the new restaurants and stores. It was semi busy.
Here is the new CNBC Store
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci10.JPG>
Brooks Brothers
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci11.JPG>
Wolfgang Puck
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci12.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci13.JPG>
Chili’s
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci14.JPG>
As you can see they turned out very nice and hopefully will make STL a lot more appealing now! I continued the walk down the C concourse. Saw flights using all the way up to C-28. Very nice to see. After that, it went down in the dumps.
I did like seeing the new refreshing updated signs.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci15.JPG>
Some awful, embarrassing pictures of C, I shall let them speak for themselves.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci16.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci17.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci18.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci19.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci20.JPG>
After seeing that sad sight…I walked away and went back to the East Terminal. I noticed a hot F/A for WN sitting there reading her paper. I came over and asked if she was working or done for the day. I sat next to her and we ended up talking for over 30 minutes. She was a really nice lady and I found out she was based in MDW, but commutes from LIT. She has been flying with WN for 8 yrs, and prefers the -700 and long hauls. Wonderful woman and we even traded e-mails. I will definitely keep in touch with her. Soon it was time for my flight to be arriving. So I headed to E-8 and lined up to wait for the plane to come up.
Paul from southwest PM’d me to let me know my flight was N331SW. This plane is an OLD plane. I expected it to be old and shabby and it certainly was. We were scheduled to leave at 1:00pm, but of course the plane was late. I stood in line for the A line and chatted with this nice couple from SDF heading to SAN. At 12:55pm everyone got off the plane and we started to board. It was a light load; all the middle seats seemed to be empty. The plane was in fact N331SW when it pulled up. Blue colors too. They announced A boarding, and I came forward with the rest of the line. Handed the woman my boarding pass and got on board. Headed to seat 17F Sat down and started snapping pictures. N217JC pulled up next to me.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci21.JPG>
After everyone else had boarded, we taxied back out and headed to R 12L. We turned and started the take off run.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci22.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci23.JPG>
We took a HUGE turn over STL Airport, and we flew past STL on the way to MCI.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci24.JPG>
Service started immediately. The F/A went around asking us for drink choices. The Mexican male F/A handed out two bags of peanuts. My seat stayed reclined the whole time. It was a bit uncomfortable. Thank god it was a short flight though. Then the female F/A came around with my coke and I finished the peanuts. Something I noticed, WN REALLY needs to update the napkins. It is old. Lol. Pretty soon we started the descent for MCI. It was quite a rapid descent. Finally we turned and landed on 19L at around 2:10pm.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci26.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci27.JPG>
We taxied off the runway and immediately I saw some cool planes, an AWA, DL planes. I saw a DL 767 there. Didn’t know why until I stepped into the Terminal.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci28.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci29.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/mci30.JPG>
I stepped in and was appalled at the space you are given. Holy shit, not even 15 walking feet from the gate to the security. It was crowded because of no space. It resembeled DFW, a MUCH, MUCH smaller, and cramped version. But I could recognize the design of it. I went off to find a Kiosk machine to check in for my MCI-STL. No such luck. Had to leave security for that. Screw that. So I went to a gate agent and checked in there. She printed it out, I was number 37, A card again. Yeeehaaaw! She said your flight is leaving from 38. My face fell. That meant I had to leave security and re-enter. You have GOT to be kidding me?!?! But nope. I went out, went to the bathroom, and walked around for a bit. I heard a loud commotion. I turned and recognized a large group of people coming near the gate with the DL 767 there. I realized I was watching the Kansas City Chiefs board the plane!! I saw little kids running up for autographs! Thought that was really cool! They had police around to keep things under control and it was really cool. The place is really dead. I coulda had a heart attack and no one would have known!
This basically ends my STL-MCI, MCI-STL coming up next.
Alex