Friday, December 14, 2007

At the International Terminal (G) at San Francisco

My word! What a dull place! If I'd known I would have stayed on the domestic side where there is a plethora of shops and dining experiences and BOOK STORES! It's dead as a doornail here, though they do have a massage spa, that I just might have to check out before I leave here! They do have a Coach Store (Biff, don't have a heart attack) the prices here are so bad that they even put me off... a little baby wristlet (although very cute and stylish) was $98!

I'm in the International Red Carpet Lounge... (I'm business class on international, so I'm not allowed at the International First Class Red Carpet Lounge... ) no real issue... my use of Red Carpet Lounges anywhere is #1 Clean, spacious bathrooms, #2 Wireless access, no matter how problematic at getting set up, #3 Comfy chairs and little tables overlooking airplanes at the gates...

So since we spoke last.... no dell batteries in any of the geek shops.. and even though Biff found some stores in San Fran.... I'd already entered the international gates and really don't want to go back through there.... But I'm not really worried. I've verified that all the business flights from here to Sydney, back to San Francisco, on to Heathrow should all have auxiliary power in the seats, so I have unlimited computer power for these legs.... So maybe I'll come back to San Francisco and search for a dell battery and a shower when I come back through. Though Biff's suggestion to offer anyone I see that has a Dell 610 $200 for their battery pack is growing on me!

So, Tyler, I've flown the 747-400 a couple of times. I like to fly the commuter from San Diego to LAX, because the commuter terminal in San Diego is much quieter and friendly and fast, and I'm always cutting it close leaving meetings in San Diego.. So when I do that, I try to hook up with the overseas flight that go on to Washington... I prefer the upstairs business class seats.. hate to break the bubble, but the upstairs has no lounge anymore... just more seats... many people like it less, because the flight attendants tend to stay downstairs in business class because they have more "patients" in the downstairs business class... I like it because there's a lot more room, it's 2x2 seating with wide aisle and lots of separation. I'm downstairs business class on the flight out to Sydney, and upstairs on the flight back from Sydney. (By the way, business class on these international flights is so much nicer than first class on normal configured domestic flights!)

I'm hydrating.... just finished another iced decaf coffee, and another bottle of plain water. Going to go stretch my legs for a while. The terminal, while empty has a nice long walk from end to end, which I'm going to use to keep the blood flowing! (and I get to walk by the coach store one more time....)

Looking forward to see how I deal with the next flight. It isn't the longest I've ever flown.. that was Chicago to Korea when I was just a sweet young thing at 24 years old! Had a lot more stamina then!

I did buy a tiny book on Sydney before I left the domestic terminal. Have found there is quick light rail (12 minutes) from airport to downtown Sydney... otherwise 1-2 hours by taxi... So now I have transportation figured out... now I just have to figure out how to get to the harbor!

Take care all! I should arrive in Sydney around 4 or 5pm Eastern time on Saturday, though it will be 7am on Sunday in Sydney!

9 comments:

Kel55 said...

Hey Paula,
Just got back on line after our drive. Thanks for your call. luvu.

Anonymous said...

http://www.flightview.com/TravelTools/default.asp

Have to put in the flight numbers: United 863 but it gives you the photo if you click "in flight" when the results come up.

I have a great friend in SFO who I can get to help you find battery if need...Ill put him on the list and let him see if he can help.

Anonymous said...

Cutting and pasting the below email I got from SFO


Tyler--not ever done blog so will respond to you... in reading quickly I hear she didn't find the battery at SFO but wants to try on way back through though has been assured of auxillary power on remaining flights. I read too she'd like shower on the layover... so my suggestion is... Hilton at the airport... top level property, can cater to rapid traveler and has full concierge service... who could order up the battery and have it in the room along with the Turkish towels and hairdryer......hotel has shuttle, but if time is of essence, grab a cab for quick trip (5 minutes, it's 2 miles away on access road).

I can't imagine 121 hours!!

Brad...

Anonymous said...

Well she should be landing soon. I just setup my world clocks and found out Sydney is on DST. It is +16 to us. For Paula, it is going to be Sunday for over 30 hours, and she completely missed Saturday.

Biff

Anonymous said...

Ok so its a Hyatt at SFO sorry

Anonymous said...

Paula is in Sydney. She called and all went well. She wont be on the blog for a while, she is going out on the train. She said she slept well and feels good. Standby for her return to the blog in about 4-5 hrs. She takes off again a bit after midnight our time.
Biff

Anonymous said...

Another benefit of the trip is that when she returns, she will be 4.93E-06 seconds younger. So she's got that going for her, which is nice.

Anonymous said...

Oh sure it's all about Her....

Anonymous said...

Well by now she is enroute back to SFO. United shows it has having "left the gate", but Flightview says "in Flight" and 6:43 to landing.