Trip Report

[SweetWilliam]

Hey there,

No my trip aint over, it's just beginning. A few months back after recovering from my first trip to LOS I was able to scrape together enough frequent flier miles to book a round trip flight to Singapore from Tampa. Later that day a Tiger airways flight was booked to Phuket.

Thursday May 31st:

Flight #1 Deadhorse Alaska to Anchorage Alaska(BP Charter)

After a four week hitch on the Arctic coast I was allowed time off for good behavior. The drinks flowed and a merry time was had by all leaving the frozen hellhole. Unlike the somber flight up in which no one speaks, and the only sound is the manacles clinking.

Flight #2 Anchorage Alaska to Seattle Washington(Alaska Airlines)

A red eye flight that I mainly slept through. Had some terrible starbucks coffee in SEA/TAC for some reason. Complacency I guess.

Friday June 1st:

Flight #3 Seatte Washington to Houston Texas(Continental Airlines)

Once again it was Will smith on all the screens as the in flight movie was the persuit of happiness. YAWN. A quick meal at Papasita's and it was off to my next flight.

Flight #4 Houston Texas to Tampa Florida(Continental Airlines)

Not only did I not get upgraded to first class, i was subjugated to an aisle seat. The flight attendants weilded the aisle cart like a weapon of mass destruction as my elbow was constantly battered.

Home was hectic, as I did some frantic last minute shopping and got my ears lowered. Tropical Storm Barry was in the area, but did not affect TIA.

June 2nd:

Flight #5 Tampa Florida to Detroit Michigan(Northweat Airlines)

Leaving home so soon did suck, but I was off to LOS, oh well. I slept most of the flight in my comfertable first class window seat. Watched a bit of the NBA game at DTW, the boarded the last domestic flight out of that airport.

Flight #6 Detroit Michigan to Minneapolis Minnesota

A quick hop, then off to a hotel near the airport.

June 3rd(part one):

Flight #7 Minneapolis Minnesota to Portland Oregon(northweat Airlines)

Got into PDX with no problems. Only three more flights to go. A four hour layover in the land of spotted owl worshipers has me concerned. Veggie burrito specials, CNN blaring from every TV. NO DUTY-FREE SHOP. WTF???
Perhaps I can purchase some Patron in Narita.


To be continued....

[t0rn]

Welcome to the board, a trip report is always a good start. Sounds like you like flying, or are you just gaining miles .....

[ub2yoo]

Yeah, you're off to LOS, what takes you so bloody long, did you already get LOSt ? :-)

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by t0rn

Welcome to the board, ..

Should be welcome on board. 7 flights to be back to where the second landed (give or take). Unless I absolutely had to get home, I would have gone from Anchorage to Asia (AMF).

Have a good trip, look forward to reading your report.

[ub2yoo]

So is the myth true that some US guys don't have a passport and can't find their way out of the US, or is this just a strange landing pattern 55555

[t0rn]

Perhaps a 'mileage run' which I've never done but do understand.
Keep us uptodate SweetWilliam....

[MrDK]

Obviously it was a trip from work at the north slope of Alaska, back to home in Florida, then on the journey to Asia on the pacific route. The trip from work to Tampa could not be done with less than 3 flights and 4 would be typical. Same going back to the Pacific gateway from Tampa, 2 minimum, often 3 flights.

About the myth. Most people in the US does not have a passport as the would never leave the country. As you can see from the flight plan it is a big one and most have no need to leave.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by MrDK

About the myth. Most people in the US does not have a passport as the would never leave the country. As you can see from the flight plan it is a big one and most have no need to leave.

I know it's not a myth, many US collegeuas (is that the right spelling, I never learn to write that word) couldn't come to Europe because of that.

I've put it there as a joke in the context this guy in on his way to LOS but still in the US. Yep, it is a very big country, agree :-)

[MrDK]

Since he is probable up in the air at the moment we can steel his thread a bit.

I know exactly what you mean. I have had colleagues (sp = thx Google toolbar) that I needed to send to Europe and the did not have a passport. Depending on the amount of notice, they may or may not be able to go. In the US you can get a passport in 48 hours by paying some rush fees.

.... or did they show up at the airport without a passport and was denied boarding? Obviously that would be ignorant, but not far fetched. Unlike being in a country where you are taught how to cross borders at a young age, most Americans have never had to give it a single thought.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Since he is probable up in the air at the moment we can steel his thread a bit.

I know exactly what you mean. I have had colleagues (sp = thx Google toolbar) that I needed to send to Europe and the did not have a passport. Depending on the amount of notice, they may or may not be able to go. In the US you can get a passport in 48 hours by paying some rush fees.

.... or did they show up at the airport without a passport and was denied boarding? Obviously that would be ignorant, but not far fetched. Unlike being in a country where you are taught how to cross borders at a young age, most Americans have never had to give it a single thought.

Colleagues, good thanks. Let's see for how long that will stick my mind.

As for us getting taught how to cross borders, it get's worse....


....I was born on a border

[marc26]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Obviously it was a trip from work at the north slope of Alaska, back to home in Florida, then on the journey to Asia on the pacific route. The trip from work to Tampa could not be done with less than 3 flights and 4 would be typical. Same going back to the Pacific gateway from Tampa, 2 minimum, often 3 flights.

.

i hate to do anything but direct

when we have to go to Florida from Vancouver there is nothing direct
i just fly to NYC direct,s pend a few days there, then down to FLA from NYC

[marc26]

Originally Posted by ub2yoo

I know it's not a myth, many US collegeuas (is that the right spelling, I never learn to write that word) couldn't come to Europe because of that.

I've put it there as a joke in the context this guy in on his way to LOS but still in the US. Yep, it is a very big country, agree :-)

i just had my sister go get her passport and also for my 2 nephews because you now need, or will need a passport for US-Canada

[Spector]

Sweetwilliam….Welcome to the board’s….Wow 7 flights and you’re out on the West coast again. I have to say that if I was already in Anchorage, I think I would have continued on to Asia from there as you were already half way. I’m not sure why you would have to come back to Florida for a few hours, but I’m sure you have your reasons. Enjoy your trip, look forward to reading about your adventures in Phuket.

_______________
was searanger....now I'm spector

[SweetWilliam]

Episode 2: A New Hope

June 3rdcontinued)

Flight #8 Portland Oregon to Tokyo Japan(Northwest Airlines)

Finally I leave the USA after going it what seemed like a big circle. Oddly enough the flightpath came very close to flying over Anchorage Alaska. I began reading Absurdistan. I do believe that this is foreshadowing. It's a weird book, and I bet it's going to be a weird trip. Very cool bookstores in Portland Airport.

June 4th:

Flight #9 Tokyo to Ulan Bator Outer Mongolia on Federated Cargo of the UK

Who knew you could get such a cheap flight to Thailand, lets just hope I dont oversleep on this cattle car and windup in Addis Abbaba Ethiopia.

Actually I flew to Singapore(on NWA) and slept most of the way, and did find time to watch Ghost Rider. Not bad movie at all.

June 5th:

10th and final flight Singapore to Phuket(Tiger Airlines)

A quick hop and I am breezing through customs and in a metered Taxi. Get to the Summer Breeze and checkin. Meet and chat with Bill. Head down Bangla and try and surprise a girl. And guess what?

No she's not a guy(i know someone was thinking that though). Nope she is..................


in Australia.

Surprise.


Lookslike the the next post will involve drinking and chasing women. Well after I think up a title for it too.

Until then.

WWB