I'll edit this later.
I'm way late on this.
Booked three times, changed three times by AA. Originally scheduled GNV-DFW-PHX. Finally, GNV-MIA-PHX.
Why GNV? An hour closer than MCO, and hour closer than JAX, and hundreds cheaper - even for F. 35 minutes from the RV to the airport. And I had a ticket to burn on AA. Covid ticket they banked for me. Expires 9/30/22. So I burned it.
AA E170, usual seat. Not bad at all for the 23K foot hop down to MIA. Was supposed to meet MiamiAir but glad I didn't, he was carrying the crud that day.
AA3821, Gate 5 out of 5 at GNV. Three minutes through TSA. Had coffee and waited. Plane was at 99% load. 1A of course, is by itself on the right of the a/c. My preference. Plenty of leg room. Quick coffee and a cookie on the way to MIA.
Now, MIA . . . Gate 60 OINBGOIN#B!_)PB)NE# somewhere at the end of the airport that reminds me of a corn-maze in mid-America to get off the plane, through the maze to the actual terminal. PITA! Ridiculous for AA.
Plenty of rations and libations available in D terminal, I had time (since Vic blew me off, LOLOL) so I explored MIA as best I could. Hadn't been through there in easily 15 years. They have done well. Although, I can tell you, it's a bI!ch in that terminal at "bank" time, reminds me of ORD 24/7. Everything, everyone going everywhere. Put a couple hundred steps on my magic heart monitor watch, had a bloody mary and very nasty Brisket Wrap thingy that I didn't finish.
AA354, on D43, my usual seat. Seat mate was "different". 100% load, AND there was a kid - a real kid - like 18months kid behind me. No nap for me.
God favors me with the invention of bluetooth and in flight movies. Hey, you didn't read about me in the papers or on the news did you.
A newer AA 321neo. And . . . . . . so what?! Same shit different day. Same non-descript plain jane AA F seat (although leg room was refreshing for AA. No IFE (Had my tablet) and the wifi is easy enough to access.
It was a lunch flight, so started with the obligatory nuts. I had another BM, and lunch was served. Not too bad til I got to the (what I'm guessing was) chicken. I just stabbed it with a fork and neanderthalled it to my mouth. One bite and that was over. Salad, fixins, bread, etc not bad at all. Not sure what AA did with that (what I'm guessing) chicken, but please don't do that again. Lunch actually gets a 4-5 . . . save suspect buzzard. FA gets a 2-5, smile bitch, it doesn't hurt.
First FA was, in a word, bitchy. I'm the first guy to use please and thank you. Ask for a second bloody mary and to keep your lunch napkin and you get the side-eye and the FU nod. Just for good measure, I kept the damn napkin til landing and had a third BM. Never left me seat and pleased and thank-you'd that hag to death! Miami based crew BTW.
Decent ride. Some chop over the Gulf a little right turn and altitude gain near Houston. A few seat belt on/off times . . . one sent a water glass flying across the aisle is 1D. Captain had the FAs take seats through that last mess. Wear your set belts . . . .
Took us right over El Paso. For you US Military types, we went right over the US Army Sergeants Major Academy at Biggs Army Airfield on Ft. Bliss. I got a sorta chubby then. If you know why, you know why. Hooah.
Approach was over the San Tan Valley with many turns, wind from the east so we landed on 7R.
Off the plane at A298547, PHX hasn't changed . . . so walk forever to the rental car shuttle . . . to be replaced this year by a continuation of the sky train. Bully for that. The Rental Car facility is 5 miles from the damn airport proper. Took me longer to fly from GNV-MIA and change planes than to get my car and get to my hotel.
Next ride is 0700 Friday AA from PHX-DFW-GNV. More to follow. I have pics, will download and post later.
LET'S GO BRANDON!!!!