So, first off, I am a long time reader, 1st time poster. Last week my 'Friday' at work was slow so I finally decided to sign up. Did not help much since I can not check email at work so I was unable to do any posting.
Anyways, I was planning a trip to ATL (from SLC) to visit friends and watch the Datona 500 at their house. On Thursday morning I headed to the airport after work at 7am. The loads looked really bad but you never know. I was at the airport for the next 2 flights and did not make any of them. Also, I work for Skywest and when flying on Delta mainline I am just above buddy passes so that does not help much. Lots of people (20 or more) on the standby list with only 1 or 2 making each flight.
There were LOTS of people getting rerouted due to storms in the DC, Chicago and Detriot areas. Because so many non revs were continuing to be relisted on the next flights I went home for a few hours to catch an afternoon flight. When I left the house for the 3:15ish flight the numbers looked OK. When I arrived at the airport the numbers were bad. I was actually watching Delta's travelnet site while the plane was loading. It was showing 2 seats with 5 non rev in front of me. They called two and now they showed zero, even on the screens at the gate it showed 0 seats. So, I was thinking about my options of flying out the next day or not going. Then I hear my name called. Great, even with no seats showing available I think 4 more non revs made it out.
OK visit friends for a few days then start checking loads Sunday morning to get back to SLC after the race-that only leaves the last flight out at 9:30pm. The numbers were slim but not in the negative and only 9 on standby at the time of last checking.
You never know with ATL. My first visit out there on my return I was #18 on the standby list on the screen at the gate with 3 seats showing open. I really figured I would miss that flight but somehow between the singles and families enough did not want to split up I got the last seat back to SLC.
Back to FEB 14th. I got the airport and arrived at the gate. I was number 34 on the standby list with no seats showing available. They were even asking for 1 person to stay overnight do to overbooking. OK, now there is no way for me to make this flight so I start looking at my other options. Best options were LAX, SFO or LAS. The LAX flight was leaving at the same time as the SLC flight but gates were right next to each other. I look at the LAX screen and it shows 13 seats open. I already had a printout of the flights to SLC from LAX, SFO, LAS and others. LAX was the best options because more flights to SLC were offered. So, I asked the gate agent if he would change my listing to the LAX flight, which he did for me with no questions. The flight was now showing it was leaving late (now 10:15, from 9:30). This did not bother me since I either wait at ATL or LAX.
So while I was waiting I watched the SLC flight. I thought 1 nonrev made the flight but checking the standby list just now no non revs made the flight. I was actually relieved when it did not seem that others did not head to the LAX gate as they could have taken a needed seat from LAX to SLC.
So now, as I type this, I am at LAX waiting for the 6:15am flight to SLC. When I arrived I saw there was a 1:40am flight to Memphis. So, I call the 1800 delta listing number to see what options I had from Memphis to SLC. I had to use the phone because no free internet at LAX and I did not want to pay for the service if I was going to leave soon to Memphis. Anyways the phone system went smooth and basically told my all options were bad for non rev. Also, no direct flights from Memphis to SLC. So again best bet was to stay at LAX.
So, here I am, hanging out at LAX waiting for my flight which should start bording in 4 hours.
At least I made it out of ATL as the loads everywere were bad because of the previous days storms. Also they expect 1-4" of snow tonight which might make tomorrows flights even worse.
This has been my worst nonrev weekend yet and its not to bad. Other times I was never able to make it out of SLC so I would just go back home for the weekend.
So, while typing this I went for a quick check for loads for my morning flight to SLC. Something really changed, bad for me. From just before leaving ATL to now it went from 8 on standby to 55, I am #29 with 12 seats. I hope there are a few people who miss connections or do not wake up so I can make my flight.
I have not been overseas using nonrev yet but a couple of weeks ago I went to Maui for a few days. I am planning a possible overnighter to Zurich in a couple of months as a friend will be laying over for the night with his work on his way to the middle east. Then my stepmom and step sister might go to Vietnam in July, if they go I will try getting out there with them.
Also, one note to 29palms. No reason to edit (clear) your posts if no one replies. It does not mean that people do not read and enjoy them and not signed up to post anything. I missed your 'why I like China' post.
Tony
