Greetings!
After a few days of procrastination, I finally decided to post my trip report of my 3rd and final trip report of my college visits(for now). This trip was a day trip to Daytona Beach from Boston to see Embry-Riddle Aeronauticle University's campus down there on February 20th. I went down on AirTran(via ATL) and returned on jetBlue from Orlando(non-stop). This would mark my first flights for both airlines. I already visited University of North Dakota and Embry-Riddle Prescott, AZ in the past month. See these two trip reports.

UND February 7th to the 9th.
Visting University Of North Dakota..On United! (by COERJ145 Feb 10 2008 in Trip Reports)

Embry-Riddle Prescott, AZ January 18th to the 19th
College Visiting..with US! (by COERJ145 Jan 20 2008 in Trip Reports)

and now, the trip report...

My dad and I left for the airport at 3:30AM, and made it in record time(40 minutes, normally takes me 45-50). We parked and walked over to the AirTran ticket counter. About a minute later, I had my boarding pass in hand, and went through the one lane security checkpoint up to the gate area. Since I had about an hour before boarding, I walked over to the Northwest gate area, which had been renovated since I last flew them in 2006. They really did a nice job with it. I then walked back to the AirTran gates for some pics.
NWA gate area in E

AirTran 737-700

AirTran 717-200 ready to take me to ATL

I waited about 10 minutes to be boarded, and I walked down the jetway to the aircraft.

February 20th, 2008
AirTran flight 884
Boeing 717-200 N921AT
Depart: 6:00AM
Actual: 5:50AM
Arrival: 8:44AM
Actual: 9:00AM
Seat: 22A Exit Row

The seats of this 717 was the most uncomfterble I have ever sat in. I later found out that this was an ex-TWA plane, with their seats. The seats were rock hard, and had no support. The only positive thing was the extra legroom. AirTran should really have replaced the seats with their own, which are more comfterble. Taxi was quick out to runway 22L, and we rocketed down the runway. The 717 feels like a mini 757. In-flight service began, with biscoffs and a beverage.

NW E175 at BOS

After the service I fell asleep listening to AirTran's XM satillite radio, which was a nice touch. I woke up to find we were on approach with a DL 757.

We touched down in ATL on runway 27R, and made a southwest style taxi in to gate C5. I got a flight deck picture on my way out.
Overall:
points out of 20
Check-in: 18(quick, easy)
On-Time: 17(headwinds)
Comfort/Amenities/IFE: 5(legroom and XM radio saved it from a zero)
In-Flight service: 16
Cabin Crew: 16(were nice, but wern't going above an beyond)
Total: 74/100=72% C-

Since my DAB flight was leaving from the next gate, I went off spotting.
AirTran 717 flight deck

Delta, Delta and more Delta....

1 of 12 ATR-72s left in ASA's fleet

Delta 777

After spotting, I went and got lunch at Popeyes fried chicken, which is much better than KFC. I got the spicy strips.
Around 10:20 I made my way over to C6, and then boarded my flight to Daytona.

February 20th, 2008
AirTran flight 943
Boeing 717-200(no reg, sorry)
Depart: 11:00AM
Actual: 10:55AM
Arrival: 12:15PM
Actual: 12:10PM
Seat 21A Exit Row

This flight had the standard AirTran seats, which were much more comfterble than the last flight. Boarding was quick, and soon we were pushed back and taxiing out to 27R.
Delta and Korean Air

Delta 757

Fly Delta Jets!

Takeoff and climb were really fast, and service began shortly after takeoff, consiting of pretzles and a drink.

Cabin

Soon we were descending into Daytona Beach...


We landed on 7L, next to the Daytona speedway..

We taxiied to gate 6, and I rushed out to catch a cab over to Embry-Riddle a 5 minute ride to campus.

Overall:
points out of 20
Check-in/Boarding: 18(quick, easy)
On-Time: 20 (early)
Comfort/Amenities/IFE: 18(seats were much more comfterble, XM was nice)
In-Flight service: 17
Cabin Crew: 17(were nice, but wern't going above an beyond)
Total: 90/100=90% A-

I got to Riddle about 20 minutes before my tour, so I sat around in the visitor lounge. At 1PM, the tour of campus began.

Walkway to the flight line

College of Buisness

Flight line

AvScience building

The Rolls-Royce AE3000 engine, powering the ERJ series.


ATC lab


Wright flyer

After the tour, there was an hour long presentation by admissions, which was rather dull, as I already know the application process and all about the university itself. The campus itself is nice, however it does have that "apartment complex" feel to it, very compact unlike ERAU prescott or UND. Also the admissions seems to be more "group" oriented, rather than more personal like UND or ERAU Prescott. Overall, my ranking system goes ERAU Prescott, UND, ERAU Daytona. After the presentation, I took a cab over to the DOTS Transport station, and boarded my shuttle over to Orlando, where I would take my flight home on jetBlue.
An hour later, I arrived at Orlando Airport and checked in at a kiosk. The airport atrium is very impressive, large, airy, and a hotel built into it. Very traveler oriented.
Atrium:

There was an alarm that got set off at security that caused a long line there. Once I got through, I took the tram over to the Delta/International gates for some spotting.
Lufthansa A330

Virgin Atlantic 747-400

Delta Connection CRJ-200

Delta Connection ERJ-145

Unfortunatly, I had to re-clear security to get over to the jetBlue gates, even though they are connected. Appartently because there are international passengers arriving from the Delta gates, even though they have cleared customs they can't enter the domestic gates. I got myself dinner at Sabarros, which was pretty good. I had baked ziti and meatballs, plus a mountain dew to keep my awake. I then went back to the gate, only to find boarding was delayed to our aircraft being late.


JetBlue A320

JetBlue E190 arrives at the gate..It will take me home.


February 20th, 2008
jetBlue Airways flight 440
Depart: 9:20PM
Actual: 9:30PM
Arrival: 12:13AM
Actual: 12:00AM
Seat 12A Exit Row

Boarding the late E190 was very quick and soon the door was closed. We taxiied out to 17R and made a sluggish takeoff and climb. This would be my first E190 and JetBlue flight so I had high expectations. Unfortunatly, they were not met. The TVs worked on the ground, but as soon as they were turned on again in the air, mine would not change channel, nor could I get XM radio to work. Even after a reset they did not work. In-flight service began during the reset. It was the longest service for 100 passengers I have seen. If jetBlue had a cart, it would be much faster than having the F/As take drink orders and deliver them on a tray. It works for first or buisness class, but not in economy with only 2 flight attendents for 100 passengers. The snacks were good, I got the brownies and the Blue chips.
Snack:

Winglet:


About an hour later, we began our descent into Boston, and 20 minutes after that, we landed on 33L and taxiied into the gate. I walked over to baggage claim, met up with my parental units and drove home, thus ending my college trip.

Overall:
points out of 20
Check-in/Boarding: 18(quick, easy)
On-Time: 18(early)
Comfort/Amenities/IFE: 12(seats were ok, but an adjustable headreast would be nice, IFE was busted though)
In-Flight service: 14(slow, but good snacks)
Cabin Crew: 17(were nice)
Total: 79/100=79% C+

Overall, AirTran I might give another chance, if I get a refurbished 717. Their service was ok. JetBlue has a good product, but they really should work out the bugs in their IFE system. Delta's PTVs worked flawlessly when I flew them last year. I couldn't picture a transcon with JetBlue with nothing good to eat but chips and cookies. A fresh BOB meal for purchase would be nice. For now, I'll stick with my preferred carriers which are American, Northwest and Delta.

Hope you all enjoyed this trip report..Stay tuned for my april vacation trip to the Grand Canyon on American!!
So long for now!