After dropping me off and saying our goodbyes, Karen & David headed “home” and I flew thru security at the Augusta airport. I then waited for my flight to Atlanta. And waited and waited. It was 30 min. late arriving from Atlanta. It was an ATR-72 twin prop.
After we boarded and started engines, they told us we’d sit on the tarmac for about 20 minutes until ATC gave us clearance to depart at approx 5:05 local. Apparently some rainstorm was moving thru Atlanta at the time. So with both engines running, we just sat there. We did depart at 5:05, 55 minutes late. The flight itself was uneventful, 70% full. An older couple who got on before me took my seat, so I took an empty pair across from them, two seats to myself. No problem.
Got to Atlanta in 30 minutes, which is a very busy and crowded airport, and I then walked the 4000 feet to my gate, which had been moved to another gate. When I got there, they were already boarding, so I promptly got on and seated.
K&D were lucky enough to find a cheap ticket for me. In FIRST CLASS no less. And without using up their miles. I figured it must have been a rare fluke online to get that kind of deal, but it was valid because it worked. So I got seat 5B, right side window, and sat down next to another gentleman who boarded before me. The TV screens in front of both of us were not working, and we asked the flight attendant who checked into it, and then told us they were not working. My seatmate opted to move to another empty seat with a good one. I could also, as there were 3 open seats up front. I decided not to. 1B had the most legroom for me but the man in 1A was sleeping when I went to the bathroom so I decided not to disturb him. I’d rather have my two seats to myself, without a movie. I had a magazine to read, and a little extra room to spread out so it was pleasant.
It was much better than coach would have been, but the 757 first class now was tighter than first class used to be that I remember. Legroom was fine but not what I expected. But no complaints. A good dinner, two margaritas and a glass of wine, and cookies and coffee later, and I was satisfied. Arrival into Seatac on time. Wendy called me on the cell just before I got off the plane, and I told her to loop around the drive as I’d be 10-15 minutes. She was pretty much there when I got there, so got home before 1030.
A good trip, no problems, uneventful, nothing to complain about. Couldn’t have had a better one really. Also the cheapest weeks’ vacation I’ve ever had. Thanks to Karen paying for most everything. Thanks, K&D!!!