United p.s. First Class JFK to SFO

UA 863
JFK-SFO
757-200 p.s.
January 5, 2012
5:25P-9:00P (sked)
5:25P-8:02P (actual)
Seats 2CD

At about T-45, we decided we'd had enough of this depressing place and head for the much more interesting Gate 7.

Priority boarding although I can remember whether it was GS, 1K and First. Boarding from 2L.
Wow, nothing has changed in 5-6 years expect 5-6 more years of wear and tear to an already tired looking cabin. Filthy interior with the cleaning crew apparently avoiding 2C and the droppings of the pig sitting here on the inbound... soiled napkins under the phone cover.

PDB choice of water or OJ.

On time push-back at 5:25P, an unusually short taxi for JFK and we were wheels up at 5:45P. The only things that made this flight bearable were the hour early arrival and our FA Ken. A true-blue New Yorker, Ken has flown for 35 years, retired at least once and now only works occasionally. Although he could easily moon-light as a standup comedian, he was the consummate professional, despite having to work with an inferior product. Prompt post-departure beverages including mixed nuts.

The cover of the menu looked attractive.

Much like Michelle Bernstein in the kitchen at DL, if I was Doug Frost, I'm not sure I'd like my name in lights given the single digit per bottle wine limit imposed on him.

FA Ken took dinner orders front to back, asking everyone's 1st and 2nd choices. No idea how he sorted it all our but we both wound up with our first choice of the filet.

Vegetarian spring roll with plastic dipping cup? Geez, AA serves a shrimp cocktail starter on a two class mid-con.

One the other hand, the filet was actually pretty good and medium rare.

But then we finished with a most pathetic excuse for an ice cream sundae.

Sorry I didn't take any more cabin shots other than this after dinner pics as Ken handed out water.

We touched down on 26R nearly an hour early and pulled into Gate G-96 of the International Terminal. UA is using the IT for domestic flights. Unfortunately for most pax checking bags, there was no announcement that bags would be delivered in T-3 and not IT. I suspect many folks followed the Baggage Claim signs to the IT baggage claim (wherever that it) instead of turning left and trekking over the T3.

On a positive note, our HON-tagged bags were among the first to appear on the carousel in T3. In summary, another great trip with Lufthansa and a wonderful time in Salzburg and Munich.