This is the bi-monthly trip to the Bay to meet and greet doctors at our seminar held out in the East Bay.

03 October 2008
Southwest 270
SAN-SFO
Registration: N641SW
Aircraft: B737-300
Boarding: A50
Seat: 15C
Scheduled Departure: 10:35AM
Actual Departure: 11:43AM delay due to wx at SFO closing one runway
Scheduled Arrival: 12:15PM
Actual Arrival: 1:18PM
~70% LF



The short delay at SAN allowed the opportunity to grab coffee and relax in the terminal for a bit. Terminal was pretty packed and couldn't get a good window seat for spotting. Terminal 1 is a great location as it right at or just after rotation. The one I would have like to have had most was a HA 763 which rotated right in front of us. This is one I had to grab, a US A321 in the new colors:


N161UW


N641SW - my ride to SFO

Manufactured in 1996, this 733 looked nice on the outside (repainted less than a year ago), but the interior had seen better days. Roughed up seats, walls, carpet isn't a bad thing, signs of lots of use. This particular aircraft started the day in DAL, hopped over to ELP, then into SAN. We took it to SFO then it turned back to SAN, then up to SMF, PDX, SJC, and went to bed in ONT. Once we got out of the gate, we taxied down pulled off to the side to allow a WN 737 and CO 739 to depart ahead of us. Then we were on our way... 20 minutes into the flight, beverage service started. I was in the aisle seat and the window seat passenger had a call of nature, I glanced to my right and place my foot in the aisle at the exact moment the flight attendant was walking swiftly up the aisle with a tray of 12 drinks. :shock: Very near mishap, but no drinks were spilled. I felt sooo bad, I should have checked my blind spot too...eeek. I ordered coffee, came with complimentary Bailey's. We made a little different approach into SFO, making a couple turns prior to coming right in to 28L.

Demolition/reconstruction at the original SFO terminal (now T2) is underway, future home of VX/B6.

Saw several variations of the 773 upon arrival: JAL, Eva, Jet Airways. Love that plane!

Surprise, I was excited to finally see the Delta Breast Cancer 757

N610DL

Hopped on the AirTrain over to the rental car garage. Lines were long, but moved rather swiftly. Rented a white Dodge Magnum...interesting vehicle. Roofline is so low it's hard to see out of. The low A pillar ensures clocking your head getting in and out. Chiropractors necessary after driving. Sluggish ride, but did have Sirius which was nice.

Stayed at Hilton in Newark where out seminar was being held. Another successful trip.

04 October 2008
Southwest 2735
SFO-SAN
Registration: N918WN
Aircraft: B737-700
Boarding: B15
Seat: 13D
Scheduled Departure: 7:05PM
Actual Departure: 7:05PM
Scheduled Arrival: 8:30PM
Actual Arrival: 8:22PM
~50% LF



Got to the airport a few minutes early, returned the car and headed back to Terminal 1 for check-in and boarding. The AirTrain offers some unique spotting opportunities...



Also, VX's ship 526 (jane) was staged by the DHL building. Mx was performing some service to the satellite on top.

Terminal was very empty. Check-in and security were very snappy. Once past TSA I had an hour to kill. TSA is now sporting new royal blue button-up shirts. I asked why the change, he said just something different and that they had been wearing them since 9/11. I walked around for a bit and decided to have a seat in Legend's...grabbed a drink and watched what little action there was.



It's time to board so I headed over toward Gate 23 where I found a nice surprise:


First WN special scheme flight had me pretty excited.


Departed on-time from 1L, made the left turn and headed back toward San Diego. Flight was a quick one as we had a 85mph tailwind. Another first was landing at SAN in the rain. Service was great as usual.



WN did a great job and is a great alternative to VX who has no evening departure from SFO on Saturdays.