KeithMEL visits the US of A [dedicated to taipeiflyer and HUGE AL]

[KeithMEL]

Continued from: http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3304

I'd like to dedicate this part of my report to 2 wonderful SQTalkers, taipeiflyer and HUGE AL who were there for me the entire time in LA and without whom things might have taken a very different, and more severe turn.

Getting to know both these individuals is one of the most profound privileges anyone can ever have. Cheers yet again to both of you.

Next: AA137 LHR-LAX F; W Los Angeles-Westwood; Los Angeles, including my unexpected visit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre ER

[HUGE AL]

You are too kind, KeithMEL. We look forward to hearing your Benadryl induced accounts of the ER and how they compare to ours...i.e. "I'm fine guys...just my finger...I think we should...ZZZZZZ..."

[KeithMEL]

Sector - LHR-LAX
Flight number - AA137
Class - First
Seat - 3J
Aircraft - B777-200

For those who don't know, AAdvantage members cannot pick up miles on BA flights between the UK and the US. We do earn miles on BA flights to the Carribean, Mexico and Canada however - but I did not want to waste DONE4 segments transferring. So AA across the atlantic it was! I'd managed to get myself an EVIP from an EXP, and was hence able to ride in F for this transatlantic segment. F is still F and is a class higher than J, and so AA in F has to be better than BA in Club right? Let's see...

Traffic was minimal on a Sunday morning and my National Express service from Gatwick to Heathrow arrived ahead of schedule. I negotiated my way to T3, and not seeing AA's Park Avenue check in facility around or within reasonable walking distance, I entered the terminal to check in. AA's F check in desks were seperated from their whY and J desks, and were instead next to the CX check in desks. The check in aagent thumbed through my paper ticket, and said that there was a note in the PNR advising him to collect money from me...eek. But he thought that there was nothing wrong with my ticket and so no add collect occurred.

Soon enough I was checked in by the very friendly aagent, and made my way airside. I thought the fast track line was long until I had a peek at the regular security line - it was then I realised how lucky I was to be able to use fast track.

I then made my way to the Cathay Flounge, reputably one of the better oneworld Flounges in T3 (the JL one wasn't open). The very nice lounge dragon did not even bat an eyelid at my AA boarding pass (at a lot of other airports, HKG excepted of course, the lounge dragons would remind me that the airline I was flying with has its own lounge before letting me in), and instead extended a warm welcome and advised me to check the flight info screens for updates on my flight as they do not make boarding calls for flights other than Cathay's.

The Flounge was rather empty even though there was an imminent Cathay departure. Very inviting decor - clean line modern. Veuve Clicquot NV was served, along with a range of other booze. There were also some dim sum, which accompanied the Veuve quite nicely. One was also able to order freshly-cooked noodles.







I left the tranquil confines of the Flounge early into the madhouse that's LHR T3 as the departure gate for my flight was quite a distance away. Boarding had already occured when I arrived - there were no seperate queues for premium and elite pax.

I was greeted by a cheery FA at the aircraft entrance who addressed me by name and gave me directions to my seat. The menu and amenity kit were already at my seat when I got there. I thought the Temple Spa kit had some pretty nice stuff, though I was later advised that it's no different to the one in J. Another FA then came by to hang up my coat. I was then handed Bose headsets and served a pre-take off drink - no prizes for guessing what I'd picked.


Champers was Pommery - quite cheap for F, then again it is so easy to get into F on US airlines by any means other than actually paying! ; Plastic ware for pre take off drinks due to US regulations

The best feature of AA F was the Flagship Suite, even though it took me a while and quite a few fumbles to work everything out - leaving no doubt that it's my first time flying AA F. The seat swivled 360 degrees, and you can choose your preferred position (though it's compulsory to face forward for take off and landing). There was ample space and cushioning. It was both a comfy armchair, as well as a nice flat bed when totally reclined. I thought it was one of the best F seats I've ever experienced.

I had seat 3J, a single suite by the window. I had to turn my seat inwards in order to use the ottoman. Others might appreciate the ample privacy, but I thought it was rather anti-social and was feeling very lonely by the end of the rather long flight. I think I'd take one of the paired seats in the middle of the aircraft in future so that I can have a seatmate to chat with.

Due to US regulations curtains dividing different classes of service could not be closed. This took away some of that exclusivity of being in F somewhat.







There did not seem to be a proper safety demo on the flight. The safety video wasn't working and the crew had to do a manual demo. However they did not seem to be able to find the props to perform a manual demo. So what followed was one FA reading out bits and pieces of the safety demo spiel, and the rest standing around grimacing with no one actually demo-ing.

Lunch was served shortly after take off. I had the cheese to go along with my glass of Pommery, followed by the yummy shrimp and salmon starter, and salad. The main course was a bit too seasoned for my liking but supplied the perfect excuse to down glasses of champers in quick succession in order to get rid of the uncomfortably spicy taste of pepper. Pommery isn't one of my favourite champagnes but it was quite quaffable and in lieu of anything better it'd have to do for this flight. Lunch was concluded with AA's famous ice cream sundae.

Full menu here.

[KeithMEL]

I tried to get some sleep, having had little sleep the night before. The bed was very comfy, but I could not get any sleep as my body clock was still tuned to European time, ie mid day. I killed time by checking out the IFE and consuming more Pommery.







The crew had good cabin presence on this flight, and not once have I had to push the crew call button to get my glass refilled. My age also attracted some attention from the crew as I was apparently one of the youngest pax they'd ever served in F.

A mid flight snack of cheese and crackers was served, and my cheese plate kept getting topped up by the lovely FA who then commented that she thought I looked skinny and needed more food in me. LOL!



Besides the spice, I realised what a mistake I'd made in choosing the chicken for lunch when it was time for the pre-landing refreshment. There was a choice of pizza or chicken. Against my better judgment, I went for the pizza as I didn't want to eat chicken yet again. The pizza actually wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, or at least it tasted heaps better than other airline pizzas i've had.



And I loved the freshly baked cookies! I was encouraged to have more than 1 and ended up eating 3 of them.




View of the F cabin just prior to landing

I quite enjoyed the flight and found AA F a pretty decent product. The hard product was its strength. I thought the meals were rather J-esque in quality, and the champagne could also go more upmarket a little. The cabin crew was decent, then again being my first flight with AA in F I could've just hit the jackpot in that regard. On the whole the hard product was really the main draw for AA F, and almost made up for the deficiencies noted. Verdict: F is still F, and F on AA is still nicer than J on a more reputable carrier.

We made a punctual arrival at LAX, and after going through Heathrow so many times in a month I thought LAX T4 was highly efficient in comparison. I was the 6th person at passport control, my suitcase was already out on the carousel and quarantine was quick and easy. Within 30-40 minutes of landing I was already in the cab on my way to the W!

Next: W Los Angeles-Westwood; Los Angeles, including an unexpected visit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre ER

[jhm]

No picture of the chilled sparkling water with fruit garnish ?

I thought the meals were rather J-esque in quality

... and that's because they are pretty much the same as the J meals!

http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1540

[KeithMEL]

Review of the W Los Angeles-Westwood here.

Next: Los Angeles, including my unexpected visit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre ER

[HUGE AL]

Veuve Clicquot NV was served, along with a range of other booze. There were also some dim sum, which accompanied the Veuve quite nicely.

KeithMEL must have been very happy.

[flo]

once again great report and awesome photos!

again: i envy you

[dnllam]

Review of the W Los Angeles-Westwood here.

Next: Los Angeles, including my unexpected visit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre ER

Where's your ER trip report? I am waiting to read it.

[KeithMEL]

My sincere apologies for the delay. I've been busy traveling and spent all of yesterday and the day before flying. I'm back in MEL now and should be able to update more frequently.

Los Angeles!!

Probably one of my favourite cities in the world now, even if shops here didn't sell Badgley Mischka's sunnies (apparently only retailed exclusively through Robert Marc's NYC stores). Full of fashionable people, great shopping, good restos and nightlife. It's easily one of the most beautiful and best-dressed cities in the USA, if not the world! Trendy, fashion-forward, glamourous, fun - all in one city.


Shopping on Rodeo. I actually prefer Robertson but for some reason didn't take pics of that.


Ketchup - pretty cool restaurant on Sunset, owned by Ashton Kutcher. Go for the Kobe beef and meat loaf; with taipeiflyer [centre] and HUGE AL [right]

We then rode a mechanical bull at the Saddle Ranch Club on Sunset...


taipeiflyer the pro doing a demo


My ride ended after all of 22 seconds

[KeithMEL]

Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre ER, and my newfound shellfish allergy

"I'm scared of needles!!"
"Sorry buddy we're busy saving your life."

60 minutes earlier...

My parents and I were just wrapping up dinner at The Ivy with some lovely dessert. I'd just stuffed my face full with some beautiful crab salad and lobster risotto. And we had a few bottles of Bollinger. We also saw Dave Navarro of Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as an Anderson Cooper look-a-like but I wasn't sure as I didn't think CNN is filmed in LA.

After dinner I took a leisurely stroll across to the Melrose Bar and Grill, near the John Varvatos store on Robertson, to meet up with taipeiflyer and HUGE AL. We were all set for a huge night in WeHo. Or so we thought. It was a huge night indeed. Just that it didn't exactly occur at the clubs of WeHo.

I'd ordered a glass of champagne and had barely sat down when I felt this weird tingly sensation. I excused myself to use the bathroom. I saw that my face had swelled up somewhat, and welts were starting to appear on my hands and neck. I figured that it was an allergic reaction, but didn't think it was all that serious as I'd obviously never experienced anaphylactic shock before.

So I went back to the bar and was thinking that all I needed were a few drinks and a lie-down to make it all go away. But my friends knew better. Apparently HUGE AL could see welts growing on my neck right before his eyes. I was immediately hauled into taipeiflyer's car and we headed for Cedars-Sinai which was only around the corner on Beverly. We filled up a form at reception. When the staff caught a glimpse of me and saw that I'd listed 'allergic reaction' as the reason for my visit, I was practically thrown across the room, into a wheelchair and was sitting on a bed in ER within 10 minutes. According to taipeiflyer this was an impressive record as people usually had to wait ages for treatment even in ER. By this point I was chocking a little; it felt like my throat was going to close up. I was also later informed that my head had swollen up beyond recognition (cue Will Smith in "Hitch").

My fear of needles did not deter the nurse from jabbing into me and pumping into my veins what looked like a cocktail of drugs, with machine-like efficiency. I was intrigued and thought she was only being funny when she said that they were "busy saving your life." But another conversation we had later in the evening made me realise that she was actually serious. And how lucky I was.

The diagnosis suggested that I was reacting to the shellfish I had. Apparently I was allergic to shellfish all my life but hadn't reacted till just then. I was ok with not having to eat crab or lobster ever again, but almost had to reach for the smelling salts when I realised that the definition of 'shellfish' extends to mussels, oysters and clams.

We all react differently when faced with a crisis. In my case I became strangely nonchalant. I started discussing with the nurse, who was still injecting me with drugs, my travels. I think at one stage I was also discussing my shopping plans for the following day. And all this while both my mates, who were with me in ER, were apparently freaking out.

As the effects of the drugs kicked in I progressively felt better and started looking less scary. HUGE AL wanted to take some pics so that I could later see what I'd looked like but I thought ignorance was bliss and refused.

It wasn't at all pleasant when the side effects of having adrenaline in me kicked in, leaving me with these anxious feelings flowing out from my chest. The doctor took pity on me and authorised more injections of a certain drug, name of which I can't remember, to counteract the side effects.

I also passed out for a few hours due to the effects of the drugs, and was literally comatose as I couldn't seem to hear taipeiflyer and HUGE AL screaming over me to check out how asleep I was.

The whole ordeal probably lasted about 7 hours. They had to keep me in there under observation for a minimum of 6 hours after injecting me with the drugs. It felt like a lifetime. I was finally discharged at about 5am. Throughout this time taipeiflyer and HUGE AL stayed with me at the hospital even after security banished them both from ER. I didn't ask this of them - but I couldn't have been more grateful.

So I can't eat shellfish for life, or drink any alcohol for a month, thus halting my binge for this trip (those caterers for QF108 JFK-SYD must be very relieved ), due to the mountain of meds prescribed. But it could've been worse.

I think this would be a good point to sign off. I invite taipeiflyer and HUGE AL to fill in the blanks or correct my account of the night given that my memory of that evening is probably impaired by all the drugs that were flowing through my system.

And thank goodness for travel insurance, or I'd have been so out of pocket with all the medical expenses!

Next: AA3105 LAX-LAS whY; Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino; Las Vegas

[simong]

, as well as an Anderson Cooper look-a-like but I wasn't sure as I didn't think CNN is filmed in LA.

Well Larry King Live comes out of LA, so although 360 is primarily out of NYC, I am sure he gets around and they have proper studios there. Indeed he was in Simi Valley a few days previous for the Republican Debate at the Regan Library, so could well have been him

I believe he is good friends with Ryan Seacrest too

[flo]

or drink any alcohol for a month

but do manage to be back on track in august/spetember when i'm in MEL. just kiddin. i'm glad you're fine mate!

keep on writing trip reports of awesome cities, high life in the evening, bubbly (of course!)! ah and before i forget: i really enjoy reading your tr's! – what camera do you have?

take care mate
flo

[KeithMEL]

I use a Canon ixus i which was bought way back in 2004. Not the best these days but it's served me well.

Sector - LAX-LAS
Flight number - AA3105 (operated by American Eagle)
Class - Economy
Seat - 11A
Aircraft - ERJ

The cab dropped us off at AA's F check in area at LAX T4, and before too long we were handed our boarding passes with bags tagged to LAS for this ultra long haul segment to Vegas. We had the emergency exit row blocked off for us, but we had to speak to the GAs to get our seats assigned.

I'd tried to get the AA mainline service so that we wouldn't have to do the shuffle across to the American Eagle terminal, but there was only 1x daily and it departed 90 minutes before this flight and we figured we could use the extra time for sleeping in a little and having a leisurely brunch at Nine Thirty.

TSA was relatively quiet, and we headed across to gate 44E for the shuttle bus across to the American Eagle terminal. The gate info for our flight kept changing, like once every 2 seconds and we'd just planted ourselves into a random set of seats whilst we waited for the relevant gate info to be confirmed. I decided to make calls to HUGE AL and taipeiflyer to make sure both are ok after the somewhat wild night that we had (the night after Cedars-Sinai) - my first night totally sober in a long while!!

Our gate info was finally confirmed, and the gate team had shown up - and we got our boarding passes exchanged for new ones that showed our seat assignments. There was a hive of activity as the gate team busied themselves with balancing the load on this oversold and overweight flight. No takers for the travel vouchers offered in exchange for being bumped off though. Looks like some are going to be denied boarding - hopefully not us!

It was then I realised that AA PLT status was even more useful when flying with AA itself. There were no priority boarding calls for elites. Being slow we'd ended up at the back of the queue. But midway through boarding they halted the queue, and hauled all with EXP and PLT statuses (there were only 2 of us - the other pax was an EXP) and our traveling companions onto the plane. Probably saved us from being bumped off! We never saw a lot of the people in front of us in the queue again...

The ERJ had a pretty cramped cabin, but it was a pretty cute plane, almost toy-like. Row 11 being the exit row is pretty spacious and offered plenty of legroom. I had the solo seat to myself, whilst my parents were seated together across the aisle.







Take off and landing were smoother than I'd expected, given my previous experiences with NZ turbo props which were of similar sizes. Of course the ERJ is a proper jet and so that helped.

Not much other than 2 rounds of drinks were served by the solitary cabin crew member on this epic service to LAS. Drinks were free, except for alcohol - which of course aided my transition into sobriety.

We then descended over some vast, sweeping desert - until the Strip and the airport suddenly came into view and assured us that we were actually landing in Vegas.

Next: Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino; Las Vegas

[soak01]

Fantastic photos. You are making me more envious everytime I check on your updates. Keep them coming.