Hey everyone! Yes I know that I haven’t posted in a while, but I get really lazy sometimes. It was mostly due to intense schoolwork (my school is too hard).

Recently, I took a short trip down to Florida to attend a double reed workshop (oboes, bassoons, English horns, and contrabassoons) held at the Florida State University.

June 7, 2004- Departing flight

My mom woke me at around 5:10 a.m. to get dressed. We were staying at a hotel because I was not to be departing from the airport here in State College, PA. We left the hotel at about 6:15 a.m. (because I take really long showers according to my family). We arrived at Harrisburg International Airport at 6:30 a.m. or so. The airport at Harrisburg is going under mass construction right now, and believe me, it’s going to look great when they are finished, so it looks a little strange. Now, Harrisburg International Airport is not extremely large or extremely small, but it’s a comfortable size. My mom found a parking space very speedily and we walked to the check-in counters. The parking is literally right in front of the terminal building so you don’t have to take the mile runs that you usually have to take to get to the terminal building. We parked like 200 ft. from the entrance (with many spaces left over).

When we entered the terminal building at the Harrisburg airport we had to find the end of the long USAirways check-in line. All that was open were the self-check-in machines. While waiting in line, my mom was lecturing me about something as I was becoming more and more agitated. We moved slowly forward in the line (which was spilling outside of the queued area), and finally after about 20 minutes, we were checking in. I watched my mom do the little transaction procedures and then the USAirways employee who was helping customers placed the thing on my suitcases (because I checked two bags) that stated the destination at which I would be picking them up. Then, as she was sticking my tickets in the book, my mom asked of the USAirways employee a pass to go to the gate with me (to be truthful, at that point, I wanted to just go alone). She no because I was over the age of 14, and I was like “Well, it’s fine. I can go back alone.”

Then, I started to put those identification tags on my book bag and my oboe case (there was no way I was checking my oboe). Then my mom is like “You forgot to put those tags on your bags, go put them on,” and I really didn’t feel like it and I was like “They’ll get there, I know what they look like.” Then she goes “Okay, whatever, have a safe flight,” and then leaves. And I was just like “Okay? Don’t give me hug or anything,” proceeded to security.

Now, the terminal looked like a long rectangular polyhedron with some unusual architecture going on. The USAirways counters were the ones closest to the stairs leading up to the concourse and some shops. Other airlines at Harrisburg include American Eagle, Continental Express, United Airlines, and Air Canada, to name a few. Ce n’est pas une belle aéroport, mais elle est comfortable.

Anyways, I started to walk up the escalator and which led up to the security check point. There was a newspaper/coffee/gift shop to my right. The gates were so close (like a 10 second walk from the escalators if you took out the security checkpoint). I waited in the “not so long” line for security and had my ticket and student identification ready. I cleared security without getting beeped (as usual, haven’t for a long time), and went to the gate which was A 7, I believe. There were no open seats, so I sat down on the floor and read my book “Falling Leaves” by Adeline Yen Mah. Since it was about 30 minutes until departure time, there were USAirways employees working about the area preparing for boarding and the such. I sat with my back to the booth that the employees distribute boarding passes at which kinda made the pathway narrow because my book bag was full, making it somewhat large and one employee was rushing by and almost fell over me and said “That’s a bad spot there, kid.” I didn’t respond, I just kept reading because I was still in a steamy mood.

About 20 minutes later, they announced priority boarding, First Class, and some other status type people. Then they announced rows 20 and higher, and I was in 22C, so I got in line. This was a full flight so there was a few people in front of me. The employee ripped my boarding pass, told me to enjoy my flight, and I was headed down the jetway.

USAirways
Boeing 737-300
22C
MDT-CLT
Gate A7
7:45 a.m. departure

Just an a ritual, I always look at the plane before I get on (through the jet way windows). Slowly, I managed to board the plane and make my way through the back. As usual the, the first class cabin was not completely full. Since my seat was in the back, I had quite a ways to go before I got there. Of course there was the occasional stopping due to people trying to jam their luggage into the overhead compartments, but no worries. I was in no hurry to get anywhere. I took my seat which was an aisle seat and placed my rather large book bag under the seat in from of me, and I politely asked the gentlemen in the middle seat if I could place my oboe under the seat in front of him. He allowed me. Nous avons attendu la dernière personne qui est arrivée assez tard.
After everyone in our row was comfortable, I took a magazine and began to peruse. I read a few articles. By the way, this is the award-winning Attaché magazine. The flight attendants came around for a cross-check, I believe it’s called. Soon after, we were formally welcomed aboard and then the safety demonstration commenced. The Boeing 737-300 series of USAirways uses televisions to show the safety demonstration. We taxied to the runway. We were first for takeoff and we lined up. Off, we went!!!

We had a rather smooth climb. It was very foggy out, but as we ascended, that slowly diminished. It was actually very sunny up there. I continued to read my magazine. It was alternating between getting boring and interesting. After about 15 minutes or so, the televisions came back on to announce that we were free to use electronic devices (except cell phones). Also, there was the thing about USAirways joining Star Alliance and also new non-stop flights to Bermuda. It was a cute little video. The captains reaffirmed how pleased they were that we were flying with USAirways and that the flight attendants would be coming around soon with beverage service. About 2 minutes later, I looked down the aisle and sure enough, there were the flight attendants happily serving the passengers. Quand ils sont venus à ma place, j’ai commandé un coca (au regime). While drinking, I continued to read the magazine, now at the section about In Flight Entertainment and the USAirways destinations. After I was finished with my drink, I put the magazine in my book bag and went to sleep. I slept the duration of the flight. Well, I shouldn’t say sleeping, more of a doze because I was aware of what was going on.

The flight crew announced our distance from Charlotte and instructed the flight attendants to prepare for landing. Also, they announced connecting gates. They collected my garbage and I put up my tray table and closed my eyes again. I was feeling a lot of weightlessness during our descent which was kinda fun, but not really when you realize that you’re on an airplane like 2 miles above the ground. We made a smooth landing into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and slowly arrived at a taxi speed. I gazed out of the window as we taxied to the gate which was B12. I sat there for a few minutes after we parked because I knew it was going to be a while before I deplaned anyways. I got my book bag (and my oboe) and exited the plane.

USAir keeps their planes very clean. I like the seats. They are comfortable. Not too firm, not too soft. There is not much leg room, but I don’t need it anyways. They didn’t serve a snack, but the flight was only about 1 hour and 10 minutes. You should really check out their magazines. They are pretty cool. USAirways serves Coca-Cola product, and you one can’t go wrong with that.

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport looks like your typical airport. Concourses usually have somewhat low ceilings, signs everywhere, clean environment, lots of shops. Charlotte definitely seems to be one of the busier airports. There was a lot of passenger activity going on. I walked down through the B concourse on the phone with my dad as people are rushing by in the usual airport frenzy. I checked the TV monitors to see when my flight to Tallahassee would be departing. I had some time, about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so I decided to just take a look through the airport. There is like a central area type thing that connects all of the concourses. It has a high ceiling and a lot of restaurants. Great spot for spotting (that one goes out to you spotters). There were some seats for people to just sit and chill or converse or whatever. Very leisurely. Well this part of the airport is really busy. There was a lot of activity going on in this area.

Most of the aircraft that I saw while walking down the concourses were Boeing 737's, 757's, Airbus A320's, A319's, A321's. The usual USAirways aircraft. The terminals were PACKED with planes. I tell you, this is one busy airport, it was as if there weren’t any open gates. Well, my next flight was departing from the E gates, so I headed in the direction. As I approached the division which decided whether you were headed for the E or D concourse, I remembered that the D concourse was for international departures. I could not resist the urge to take a walk down there. I did. There were flights departing to Aruba, Cozumel, the Grand Canyon (???), Barbados, a lot of exotic stuff. No European departures like I had hoped. I suspect they usually depart at night to be in sync with European time and to reduce jet lag.

Well, I had my fun so I turned around and headed to the E gates. There wasn’t as much activity in these areas of the E and D gates as in the other concourses. I took the escalator down to the E gates. It wasn’t that bad of a walk, but I arrived at my gate, E10. I took a seat and began to read my book again. I had read a lot. We waited and waited. I noticed that there was a lot of stuff going on outside and I began to wonder. Soon, one of the employees announced that there was some lavatory trouble and that they were trying to fix it. She made a few more announcements with went along the lines of “We are however far in solving the problem and we hope to be boarding you soon.” I just kept reading my book. Finally, she made the announcement that they couldn’t fix it and that you would have to you relieve yourself here if you needed to use the restroom. Then priority and whatever else boarding commenced. I was in 3E so I was in the last boarding group. I got in line and the employee ripped my boarding pass, and I was off to the plane. I walked out to our little Canadair jet (it was so cute).

USAirways Express
Canadair RJ
3E
CLT-THL
Gate E10

I boarded the plane and took my seat in 3E. It was a chore trying to fit my bag under those small seats, not to mention that I had to get my oboe under there as well. I was seriously about to consider using the overhead bins for the first time. Minutes passed and few other passengers boarded. There was a small incident with a disgruntled passenger, but that was quickly resolved. After a few more people tried to attempt to fix the lavatory, we were finally underway. The flight attendant welcomed us aboard. He did the safety demonstration and while were taxiing. We lined up on the runway and began our take-off roll. We made a nice rotation into the Charlotte skies. It was really nice as I stared at the ground and watched it get increasingly smaller. I’m easily amused, can ya tell? lol. About 15 minutes into the flight, beverage service began. I had a coke without ice. It was really good. The flight attendant offered me pretzels. They were really good. They were Snyder Snaps. Yummy. Oh yeah, on the express flights, they come around and take your order instead of bringing a cart down the narrow aisle. This flight was really uneventful. I was reading the magazine.....again. The flight attendant came around a few times to collect garbage. He certainly didn’t collect mine on the first trip. I sip. It took me to almost the end of the flight to finish. Well, I didn’t finish until we started our descent. So, we’re landing and I’m holding my cup and napkin and pretzel bag in my hand. I got a really nice view of Tallahassee. C’est une belle ville du nord de Floride. I looked at all of the swimming pools. That always amazes me, seeing peoples’ swimming pools from the plane. You’d be surprised how many people have them, lol. We made a nice smooth landing into Tallahassee. We taxied to the gate. We were welcomed to Tallahassee and were thanked ever so graciously for flying USAirways. Tallahassee airport has a long terminal. There was an AirTran Jet Connect plane at one of the gates. It was the only plane there besides ours. Tallahassee seemed like such a peaceful place because the airport was so calm.

This time at the gate, I had to get off immediately because I was in the front. We walked up some stairs to get into the airport. I got out my cell phone to ask my dad who was picking me up and where I was to meet them. I found the person. I was surprised because he was my age (16) and he drove alone to come and get me. Apparently, in Florida you can get a permit at 15 which is sooooo not fair, lol. Yes, we had to wait for our bags. The terminal was very quiet. It was clean and bright because there is a big long window which stretches the length of the terminal and faces the runway. It’s a really nice view. Well, you knew you were in a small town airport because there was like no one there. There wasn’t anyone waiting for a flight or anything and it was only 12:10 p.m. It was a big temperature difference, though.

The baggage claim isn’t far from the gates. The check-in counters are on the adjacent side to the baggage claim. So, there I am, waiting for my bags to come out. And they finally did and mine came out kinda at the end. But they were there (I was right, lol, I didn’t need to tag it like my mom said afterall). Then we left.

I really enjoyed my flights on USAirways, even though I was still nervous because of 9/11. The service was great, and the planes were really nice. I liked flying alone because I can think more with out having to hear my loud family. The CRJ was a little to’ up but that’s okay. It was a nice flight. Yeah, my legs started to hurt because I had not room (darn book bag). I hope you enjoyed reading this book of a trip report. Thanks!!! Au revoir!

-Chris

J’ai voyagé en Floride en avion. USAirways est une bonne compagnie avec des employés qui sont très gentils. J’ai bu du coca et j’ai mangé du pretzels.