Finally got something good to ride on.

I got my itinerary for my business trip next two weeks. And its your usual batch of 320 variants, CRJ/ERJ, and a couple of EMB-120's

But I got probably my favorite aircraft, on the homeward bound leg of my trip.

The 757-200, PHX-ORD. I've never gotten one on HP before. Just about perfect planning, The 'rocket with wings' on my last segment.

I got a 757-200 with US Airways on PHL-DUB, really enjoyed the flight. I was travelling first class so it was more comfortable aswell that there were only 8 seats in the first class area.

NWA uses 757s between MCO and its hubs all the time...love the ride each and every time. Go Flying Pencils!

First two legs down. A TED 320, or United's version of 'lets cram as many people into an aircraft, and tell them how good they have it like Southwest(they even make SWA references in their on-board lit.)

And an HPX CRJ. Mesa can kiss my rear. I honestly don't think I have ever been treated as badly by a US contractor. Tell me my confirmed seat isn't, because I failed to be in 'checked-in on-time'. How exactly can I check-in, when I'm trapped on YOUR codeshare that was delayed at ORD, for ATC(what else is new?)

And what a piece of crap plane, dirty, seats were torn, the wall coverings were coming off, one overhead was missing its door.

Forgot to mention, got to see a couple of EMB-175. One AC, and one UAX sharp looking aircraft.

First two legs down. A TED 320, or United's version of 'lets cram as many people into an aircraft, and tell them how good they have it like Southwest(they even make SWA references in their on-board lit.)

What did you expect from Uni-Ted? After travelling the last couple of months on 3-4 carriers, I can say that most flights are full these days unless your going to backwoods locations. And in the last 3 weeks, there have been more and more ATC delays. It makes me wonder if the FAA has run out of money to pay the electric bills (to keep the equipment cool) or maybe they have finally realized they have a manpower shortage.

Anyways, I think the best 757 ride is with Northwest on MSP-SFO.

I'm not complaining about full planes. That simply is going to be a fact of life. Its just the seat pitch on a Ted plane, feels more crowded than a 320 normally feels. But 156 seats compared to around 130 can do that. I don't like the way the attendents treated the customers either. I had a very tight connection to make at PHX, and on mainline UA flights or US/HP flights they will ask for the pax to notify the FA's. Not a single mention of that, and when I asked which terminal/gate we we going into, the FA responded I don't know the same one we always do I guess. I never would have made my connection if it wasn't for a TSA gaurd telling me a 'short cut'.

I find it humorous though, that they call the FC FA the flight's purser on a Ted flight. ORD ATC is quite infamous for 'ATC delays'. I was listening on channel 9, and the ground controller was handling about 15 planes all trying to either get a taxi slot, or get to the 'hotel'. The controller handling the sequence, kept getting planes out of order. He even had a 767 taxi to the RJ departure point. Even though the AA pilots repeatedly called themselves 'heavy'.

I travel ALOT(realistically more than my wife wants), and the aggravation with the Mesa employees is probably some of the worst garbage I have ever encountered. Giving away my assigned seat because I was already in the air on a company codeshare.

The only reason I didn't get bumped was that a 'manager' from HP came down to see about putting people on the two remaining flights that were mainline, started speaking with me. When I told her I wanted the voucher, upgrading to first for the remainder of my HP legs on this trip, and double miles for my legs she asked to see my Dividend Miles card. She looked at it, and told the Mesa gate mistake "He's elite, he gets the first seat." She apologized and gave me a couple of HP drink vouchers.

I'm not complaining about full planes. That simply is going to be a fact of life. Its just the seat pitch on a Ted plane, feels more crowded than a 320 normally feels. But 156 seats compared to around 130 can do that.

Feeling crowded? I was about to agree but 156 is nothing! Aer Lingus cram 176 seats into their A320's, now that's cramped.

Feeling crowded? I was about to agree but 156 is nothing! Aer Lingus cram 176 seats into their A320's, now that's cramped.

176 on a 322??? Ouch.... United would cram at least 6 or 12 more in if they didn't have 11 rows of Ex-Plus on Ted flights.

I was out on the runway/taxiway jobsite at ONT, yesterday when a UPS 742 arrived. That made this miserable trip enjoyable. An MD-11 and a DC-8 aslo arrived while we were out there. Plus, the standard gaggle of 73x variants in SWA colors.

After my usual trip filled with Inter-CA runs on EMB-120 and Saab 340, and even a trip on our Hawker 400a, I got to go home.

The HP ticketing agents at ONT were their normal fantastic selves. I go thru alot of HP stations, the ONT agents always seem better than most of the others. When the self check-in kisok didn't work for me(like normal), the agent came over and helped me. My state DL doesn't have a magnetic stripe on it, so I have to swipe a CC, or my Flight Fund Card. I couldn't get either to work, or my confirmation number to work.

When my reservation finally pulled up, my seats had changed. From aisle, midway in cargo class, to last row window on one flight, and last row center on the longest leg. The agent asked if I wanted to add my FF number, and I handed her my card.

When she saw it, she remarked 'Well, those seats need changed. Silvers don't sit in centers on America West flights.' So I got moved to 4C on the 320 leg(bulkhead aisle). When I got on the flight, I found they had dumped a Star Alliance(United) Gold, into 4B from 4C for me.

But even better, she got me 9D on the 752. On HP 752's row 9 is where the boarding door is at. So not only do I get the seat right next to the door, I've got boarding group 1.

Also this particular 752, there is a lav where 8 D-E-F should be. With the lav there, I have enough room to competely stretch my legs out. We leave PHX about 10 minutes late due to ramp delays.(There were HP planes parked everywhere) The flight to ORD was as smooth as glass. We arrived at ORD 20 minutes early. The flight deck crew must have had somewhere to be.

Out of the plane 2nd, got a sandwhich and down to baggage in 10 minutes.

Out of the plane 2nd, got a sandwhich and down to baggage in 10 minutes

And that is why HP are making money. Looking after the people who fly the most...

An airline relies on repeat business and i'm sure its a safe bet you'll fly them again...

After my usual trip filled with Inter-CA runs on EMB-120 and Saab 340, and even a trip on our Hawker 400a, I got to go home.

The HP ticketing agents at ONT were their normal fantastic selves. I go thru alot of HP stations, the ONT agents always seem better than most of the others. When the self check-in kisok didn't work for me(like normal), the agent came over and helped me. My state DL doesn't have a magnetic stripe on it, so I have to swipe a CC, or my Flight Fund Card. I couldn't get either to work, or my confirmation number to work.

When my reservation finally pulled up, my seats had changed. From aisle, midway in cargo class, to last row window on one flight, and last row center on the longest leg. The agent asked if I wanted to add my FF number, and I handed her my card.

When she saw it, she remarked 'Well, those seats need changed. Silvers don't sit in centers on America West flights.' So I got moved to 4C on the 320 leg(bulkhead aisle). When I got on the flight, I found they had dumped a Star Alliance(United) Gold, into 4B from 4C for me.

But even better, she got me 9D on the 752. On HP 752's row 9 is where the boarding door is at. So not only do I get the seat right next to the door, I've got boarding group 1.

Also this particular 752, there is a lav where 8 D-E-F should be. With the lav there, I have enough room to competely stretch my legs out. We leave PHX about 10 minutes late due to ramp delays.(There were HP planes parked everywhere) The flight to ORD was as smooth as glass. We arrived at ORD 20 minutes early. The flight deck crew must have had somewhere to be.

Out of the plane 2nd, got a sandwhich and down to baggage in 10 minutes.

I'm glad you enjoyed HP/US Come fly with US again

When headed west HP is always my first choice. I am getting used to US going east. Its been UA, or CO for the last 7 years. But not having to belong to 3 FF programs is nice. I have to admit, I keep calling the program Flight Fund though.