Friday, August 4 was a very nice day in Minnesota. After a lot of heat and humidity, the weather finally began to improve during the first few days of August. On Friday, it was sunny and windy when I arrived at the MSP-Hubert H. Humphrey Terminal.

Flight #1

Midwest Airlines #527
MSP-MKE
717-200
80% full
Signature Service
4:00pm-5:03pm (sched) 4:00pm-5:00pm (actual)

I arrived at about 1:50pm for a 4:00pm flight, so I had some time to walk around once I was checked in.

Here's a view of the very empty "Midwest" ticket counter:


Here's a shot of the terminal ceiling. I like the architecture!


After dropping off my bag at the bag check, I walked up to security and within minutes I was strolling down the H-Concourse. At H4, a Sun Country 738 was beginning the boarding process for Wash-Dulles (IAD), and at H3, passengers were waiting to board flight #247 for JFK.


Sun Country bound for IAD

Here comes the 738 with winglets for JFK.


After turning around, I began to walk down the concourse to my gate at H8, and spotted this 737 for "Xtra Airlines." I have never heard of this airline before!


Here's a view of the terminal and parking garage of the Humphrey Terminal


At about 3:20pm, Midwest #526 arrived from MKE right on schedule, and after a short wait, the boarding process began.

I was about the 10th person to board the plane, and was very excited to finally be able to see the new "recaro" seats which are on all of the Midwest 717's. The seats were so comfortable!


Am I flying First Class?!


Legroom

At about 4:00pm, the door was shut and the first of many "recordings" began. As we began to push, the safety demonstration started.


Here's an Air Tran 717 bound for MDW at H9.

Our taxi to the runway was very short, as we did not have a lot of aircraft in front of us.





After a few seconds on the runway, we began the takeoff roll. The 717 was extremely quiet on takeoff. The cabin felt like a library!

Here's a shot a few seconds after leaving MSP:

St. Paul, MN



After passing through 10,000 feet, it was announced that this was a "cookie flight" and that we would also be offered a limited beverage service of water, pepsi, coffee, tea, or milk.

Our captain then came on and said that we would be flying at 29,000 feet, and that the flying time to MKE would be 43 minutes.



29,000 feet:

Very shortly after we reached cruise altitude, the flight attendants began the service at the rear of the aircraft and moved forward with cookies and beverages.

Each passenger was given 2 cookies, and they were incredible. I have never had better cookies!


After the service was completed, and the trash collected, we began the descent into MKE. Here are some pictures:








The landing was very smooth, and we quickly began our taxi to D-42.


Where is everyone?!

After we parked at the gate, the door was opened and soon I was on my way down the "D" Concourse to D-52 where my flight to MKG would be leaving from.

Here's a view of the very nice atrium in the "D" Concourse at MKE.


I'll post Part #2 soon!

Comments & Suggestions are welcome!

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