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Latest Diary Entries (click on each to view):
More pictures and final diary notes coming up
Charlotte Redux
Leaving On A Jet Plane
In the South
Charlotte Rocks...
OK, A Sudden Realization
Statistics
Day Six: Mission Possible
Did I or Didn't I?
Day Five: If It's Tuesday, This Must Be...
The Big 'D'
Weekday vs. Weekend Travel
Day Four
First Security Concern
Day Three
Red-Eye At Night
A Point In Time
Lounge Act
Day Two
Another Airport Security Test
First Night
Private Jets?
An Unsettling Change
My First Encounter
World Trade Center
Pittsburgh - New York
Voice Mail
Day One
Day One: DIA Security
Day One: Check-in
The night before
Pre-flight

More pictures and final diary notes coming up As this great adventure comes to a close, I've got many final diary notes and pictures still to be released. Look for all this around Saturday November 10. Thanks.

Charlotte Redux Well, back I fly through Charlotte at 9 a.m. and with prime time at security checkpoints, I exit in order to re-enter. Six others in line and I'm back through in 5 minutes. Try that at all the other airports if you dare. Five minutes. They are good and they are trained and it's a sure sign that in the short future most airports will return to normal. There's really only one problem now - my luggage seems to have taken on weight. That or I'm surely getting weaker by the flight. In Richmond I exit and return through security. Here, it's business as usual and folks in the area have adapted quite well to the changes of events with regard to security. It seems that when I notice an airport that functions well, people have more faith in the additional security measures that are in place. If an airport appears understaffed and disorganized, then the passengers notice and that concern lives with us. From Richmond to Philadelphia for my London crossing I have the pleasure to chat with the airplane captain, something I don't often get the honor of doing. I think his first name was Clifford and his priority as the captain is always placing the safety of his passengers first. It makes me very comfortable that this is the priority of all the US Airways pilot staff. I also get a chance to talk to the station manager here in Richmond and these guys really run the show. We chat about the return of passengers and they all agree that things like this trip will help assure those not yet back in the air that US Airways welcomes them back right now.

Leaving On A Jet Plane Security at the Jackson airport is thorough and they check both my bags out, again with my permission and no argument from me. But it is a US Airways employee that sets the tone for this day. Ticket agent Alma (Connie) Brown does a wonderful job of checking passengers in at 5:30 in the morning. But it is her style of customer service that I appreciate. With my Chairman's Preferred card in hand, she's probably seen plenty of frequent flyers such as myself, many of which answer security questions before they are asked. But Connie almost catches me and leaves us both smiling. Instead of the usual "Have your bags been in your control", she asks "And your bags have not been in your control?" If you are on auto-answer, you're answering this with a 'Yes' which is not the correct answer. I was about half-way through my canned answer when I realize this is a different question and I quickly change my answer to 'No.' I know she knows I know she tried to trick me. She knows that I know she knows, and I can't help myself from starting this day on a perfect note. As I see her later taking tickets from boarding passengers, I remind her of no more tricks and she smiles like a diamond as I'm given directions to the plane, a jet plane. At a time when most airline employees treat these questions with disdain, and so do passengers, I found someone in America doing her job to make sure we're always thinking. Connie, you're the best and great success with your career at US Airways.

In the South Arrival time in Jackson MS is after 10 p.m. and I am met by a local resident who has followed this Come Fly With Me trip. Terrance Ma is a professor of anatomy at the state's only medical college and has become a very frequent flyer by spending some 43 weekends a year refereeing water polo matches around the U.S. For the next hour or two we talk about flying and security and all things frequent flyer related. He started traveling again right away and while he feels strongly that more should be done, he's comfortable enough with things right now that he travels as much as he can and thinks now is a good time to take advantage of the special air fares and other offers out there right now. But first let me tell you about the night manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Jackson. I think her name is Janice and she's a real pleaser. It is after midnight when I finally check-in and after registration, I inquire about a wakeup call. I tell her I need a 4 a.m., a 4:15 a.m. and a 4:30 a.m. as I have an important flight out in the morning. Apparently the system will not allow multiple wake up calls like that, so she tells me she'll set the first one and if I'm not down in a few minutes, she'll get up there and pound on my door herself until I'm wide awake. I end the night with a great laugh and feeling that I'm staying in the right place tonight. This is confirmed when I inquire about the shuttle to the airport. It doesn't start until 6 a.m. and my flight is at 6 a.m. When I inquire about a cab, she then tells me she will call the shuttle driver at home and tell him to come in early to make sure I get to the airport when I need to be there. All this from a lady who really doesn't know me from any other guest. A wonderful, wonderful lady whom I like so much that I leave the fruit basket in my room downstairs with a think you note to her the next morning as my shuttle bus driver heads off to the airport with me at 4:30 a.m. I'm happy about this hotel even though I only enjoy 3 1/2 hours of sleep here.

Charlotte Rocks... After a brief visit to Charleston, WV where the security measures are simple and easy to pass through, I'm off again to Charlotte, which is quickly becoming my favorite hub. Yes, the people are great, but it's those rocking chairs I love. Tough to get one since it seems they are popular with everyone, but I'm patient and get one to watch traveling America pass by. As I get ready to fly again, I'm caught by surprise. Some of the Charlotte Airport employees of US Airways got together and created a huge oversized banner welcoming me to Charlotte. A wonderful gesture as I become one of their more "frequent" travelers during the week. I do know one thing, this banner will accompany me the rest of my journey and I'll proudly display it in my office when I return. On the Charlotte to Jackson, MS flight on US Airways Express the flight attendant, Mary, made my final trip of the day a most pleasant experience. With concerns of safety and security really becoming a standard experience on this trip, it's so easy to notice things like great employees. Well, as this day winds down, I'm reminded that tomorrow will begin another 'iron' day, some 37 continuous hours of travel. This is the second longest day on this trip and includes my back-to-back transatlantic crossings. As I read a few papers today, I have a few problems connecting the dots. I have not yet heard any passenger, and there have been hundreds by now that I've asked questions of, worry or comment about passenger vigilantism. It seems those I'm traveling with agree that we'll all do our best to be alert travelers, but we can endanger ourselves if we are over anxious in trying to take security matters in our own hands. Anyway, I'm disappointed because some pictures of travelers I'm meeting on this trip did not come out, so if I "flashed" you, it's not that I forgot to post your picture up. All thumbs, all the time.

OK, A Sudden Realization In Newark I've got an hour or two to kill and decide to leave the plane to see what security is like. I also want to use a lounge pass I have with Continental, which is in another terminal. Security tells me that US Airways is in the other terminal but as I explain my airport lounge challenge, she lets me through with my proper ID. The security seems OK, no slower or faster than others which means with the traffic they get, I'm sure there are some long lines in the morning. What is a challenge for them is the fact the terminal hall is narrow, which means they are using wands on people as they stand in the way of passengers leaving the terminal. This airport will need to review how things are laid out before it becomes efficient enough for most of us. When I went through security I was flagged for a bag check - a very long bag check. The security personnel loved my digital tape recorder and wanted to know how I liked my Nikon digital camera. They were also impressed with the FlyerTalk luggage tags. At first I was put off by the slow nature of this bag check, but as time went by, I mellowed out and came to peace with the fact that this is the way I will travel in the future. I almost miss the flight to Baltimore because I didn't hear the boarding calls - even though I'm sitting right next to the check-in counter. Only when they page me for the second time do I emerge from a sleep-deprived haze and run down the gangplank. On this flight from Baltimore the captain informs us we are #1 for takeoff, then goes on to say "There's a first for everything...." and that gets a chuckle from me. During the Baltimore to Charleston, WV flight (I changed planes in Baltimore despite the same flight number from Newark to Charleston) I suddenly realize I'm bored. I'll explain: I'm now on flight segment 27, which in frequent flyer terms means I'm nearing the first level of elite qualification after only flying 5 1/2 days. After 27 segments, all the flights have left on time and arrived on time (except the security incident in Detroit, which didn't affect anything anyway), and frankly I find that boring. There has always been a certain excitement in wondering if you'll make your connection and then scrambling to use your SkyGuide to search out new schedules for flights that can get you to where you need to be. Or the disappointment that comes when, after a delayed flight, you arrive at your hotel only to find that all the rooms on the Executive Floor have been taken by those lucky enough to have flown on an earlier, on-time, flight. Or those frantic calls to prospective business partners or family members to say that you won't make the meeting or make it home for dinner. Thanks US Airways for making this boring; it sure makes it easier for me to make my itinerary work. And please, take 'boring' as the highest compliment. I realize I've become bored iwhen I find an old September issue of the Attaché in-flight magazine and read an article about why birds fly south in the winter. As a compulsive reader, I read pretty much anything, but instead of finishing up the Robert Ludlum novel I've got in hand, I'm entertained by an article about birds flying south for the winter. Go figure. That and the fact that I'm actually looking forward to next week when November 1st rolls around and the latest issue of Attaché will be on board. I usually read Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazine when traveling but this experience might just convert me to a seatback reader. I've also just finished my Christmas shopping by staring at the SkyMall catalog for the last 4 segments. Oh, before this flight lands, did you know that soaring raptors (eagles, hawks, owls) store fat and then fly for weeks at a time without eating during their migration?

Statistics By the time I'm done, here's a rundown of connect cities: Pittsburgh - 16 times Charlotte - 7 times Philadelphia - 4 times La Guardia - 2 times Kansas City - 2 times & 39 other cities (once)

Day Six: Mission Possible As I get used to yet another 4 a.m. wakeup call for the 6 a.m. flight from Columbus, I'm ready to again trust a cab ride. The airport service for this Holiday Inn Express doesn't yet have van service to the airport this early in the morning (it's brand new) but they have a pretty friendly policy. They allow you to take a cab to and from the hotel and they then deduct that from your final bill. I find that quite nice. This time the cab is on time, no doubt with the prodding of the hotel staff (thank you), and I'm off to the airport. Never knowing what security lines will be like from airport to airport, I've learned to come early... just in case. I'm the only one in line for ticketing, which means in two minutes I'm facing the scanner and my morning security detail. Here I'm also the only one in line and checked out and through in less than five minutes, meaning I now have 1 1/2 hours until flight time. For some time we will all experience being too early or too late until these changes become more uniform in nature. Right now, I'd do anything (well, maybe not...) to get this extra 1 1/2 hours back and put them into extra wink time at the Holiday Inn. In Providence Rhode Island, security has no lines as it's a relatively small airport and appears to be well run. Security has enough wide open areas that additional checks of passengers don't seem to interfere with the flow of new people heading for their gates. There are only 6 of us passengers on the flight from Providence to Newark and 2 of us are searched at the gate. Amazing odds but all seem to agree it's necessary and we had better get used to it. The other five are travelers with 5-14 trips per year, so they at least know something of what's going on. Also, none are skeptical of the impact these changes have had on making things better for the safety of us all.

Did I or Didn't I? Well, I'm in the 'Big Easy' if only for a few minutes. Turns out that those beignets I was telling you about are in the main terminal, outside the security zone. Looking over the lines to re-enter and glancing at my watch, I hastily decide to go for it. While I look over the security lines here in New Orleans, I see a distinct difference between two terminals. For one terminal, the guard is checking IDs and letting people line right up for the scanner, which is about a dozen people deep. For the other terminal, the guard doesn't seem to be letting people pass because there is no line at the scanner some 20 feet past the guard, however there is a line of people waiting to show their ticket and drivers license some 30 people deep which extends out into the terminal causing an obstacle of a conga line. Two guards, two ways of doing things. Luckily for me my terminal is the guard checking ID and letting people right up to the scanner. So, with caution (and security) to the wind, I head for the hot beignet shop. While the airport is no place for a Cafe Du Monde, it is as close as I can get for a wicked food fix. I take the usual three, and with powdered sugar on my upper lip I hold the remaining beignets close and head back through security. Again I'm tagged for closer inspection but after a few minutes of my time I'm back at the gate with just the right amount of minutes to finish my stash of goodies before flight time. Looking at my boarding pass I note that someone tried to sneak an upgrade in on me. While appreciating the gesture, I get in line and 10 minutes later return, having downgraded myself. The gate agent does let me know that in 4 years on the job, that's a first for him. The reason was that on the flight to New Orleans I spent getting comfortable in my exit row seat and wasn't going to start all over to get comfortable - no matter where the new seat was. But given the flight were 3 across and quite full on the return to Charlotte, I might have put up with the uncomfortable first class seat. But please understand that at this point of my career as a mileage runner, no seat is feeling comfortable. Yes, my butt has become a liability.

Day Five: If It's Tuesday, This Must Be... This trip is beginning to wear on me. The world seems to be moving in slow motion and my butt no longer has much feeling. Arriving for security at Dallas/Fort Worth an hour and a half before my 7:40 a.m. flight, I'm greeted by a much different security setup. Most other airports have a central flow of security checkpoints. Dallas has multiple entry points and as a result there doesn't seem to be any bottlenecks. I'm in and out of the US Airways line in three minutes and through security in another 10 minutes, and that included being signaled out for a random bag and bomb check. While I might have been lucky because this section of the terminal doesn't have the traffic that the main American Airlines terminal does, I'm told by others that by and large security at DFW works better than most of the California airports. My travel today is fairly easy with just Dallas - Charlotte - New Orleans - Charlotte - Columbus on the agenda. About 13 hours of traveling today but when I know there is no red-eye tonight, I'm a happy camper ('camper' being the operative word here). While in Charlotte I run off to one of the other US Airways Clubs for an interview having first been met at my gate by another very savvy frequent flyer. Dean Burri in the last 17 months has notched up around 400 flight segments to his name and knows a thing or two of the situation in Charlotte. So far this has become my favorite airport. It feels comfortable and the main area with the rocking chairs and plenty of sunshine really works for me. Since I haven't seen the outdoors since late last Thursday, maybe you can appreciate my feeling of wanting to know that the world is actually still out there. The good thing: I don't hear airport "Muzak" anymore, I hear people talking and carrying on with their travel lives. Dean tells me that Charlotte has none of the wait problems associated with security checks that some other airports are suffering from. The club room I'm in today is different than the other one I visited a few days back, but every bit as well run. With facilities for a business center, I chat with a reporter and conclude my visit with some real food. A real sandwich and a brownie takes my metabolism back to normal. Unlike the other club rooms, the ladies working here are a bit more shy and they scurry off when my camera starts clicking. But I did get a shot of the manager and I, who incidentally was a great source of information on what the verdict is from club visitors on the current travel situation. Unfortunately I have run off to my gate, not wanting to be the first to board nor the last passenger on. The last passenger on the plane is a personal goal of mine in normal times. However with airlines wrestling with new rules and compliance issues I no longer want to make them worry if Randy is coming along or not. So, take my advice and linger early at these gates. On board the US Airways flight to New Orleans I realize that my cover has been busted. While getting comfortable (easy to do since I have little or no feeling in my body) I get to chat with every flight attendant on board and was very lucky to be able to chat with John Cipolloni the station manager at Charlotte. While he deals daily with passengers in a way different than mine, it is clear that our observations and understanding of where the traveling public is right now in terms of their outlook on travel is quite similar. Heck, maybe I should have just called him to begin with and I wouldn't have had to do this. Seriously, this is one of those trips (or mileage runs) of a lifetime. While it will take its toll on me before the end is out, there's simply too much to like about it, not to do it. Back to the flight crew, two words - mutual respect. As we get closer to New Orleans, I'm checking my itinerary to make sure we're on time and that I do have just about a half hour to make a run for some fresh beignets ... sorry to have to do that to you but if you've ever been to New Orleans you know what I'm talking about. Well, I need to return my seatback to its upright position so I can get ready for my food run. Wish me luck.

The Big 'D' Actually the trip into Dallas was uneventful meaning that US Airways seems to run this airline just as Holiday Inn runs its hotels - The Best Surprise is No Surprise. All these segments have been on time, each time. In Dallas I head for the Holiday Inn Express and after spending a few hours with local frequent flyer Bobby Finken whose has parleyed 6 million miles from American, call it a night since I'm starting to forget what real sleep could be like. Upon checking in, I notice yet another ribbonned employee at the front desk. Yes, this hotel is yet another 'Member's Choice' hotel as voted on by members of the Priority Club. Nice room, even nicer gift basket of goodies (I'm a Priority Club Gold guy who is occasionally entitled to these perks) and I set my wake-up call for 4 a.m. Hustling to get to a TV show at 4:30 a.m. and still catch my flight to Charlotte I have a few problems with a lost taxi driver. To cut a long story short ... you didn't see me on TV Tuesday morning.

Weekday vs. Weekend Travel Just an observation: there is a distinct difference between the passengers I'm flying with today versus those I've flown with the past few days. Weekend passengers carry much less on board the plane except a higher incidence of shopping bags and souvenir items of odd sizes. Also on weekends the boarding process for frequent flyers is different. It seems that your chances for upgrading are better since when they call for early boarding, there's a few people who look like frequent flyers, but they are vastly outnumbered by those boarding with children who need a little extra time. Now, contrast that with weekday travel where the passengers are more likely carrying their luggage on board with them (a defective gene in the makeup of the stereotype frequent flyer) since leisure travelers have been taught over the years to check their luggage. Also, when early boarding is called, half the waiting area rises to get on board, each flashing some sort of rare metal colored card along with their drivers license. Yes, during the weekday most of those flying the peak flights are frequent flyers.

Day Four It seems like I spend all my time connecting through Pittsburgh so I decide to see what their security measures are like as I prepare for today's flights. I leave my protected environment and head out to the ticket check-in counters. I did not have a copy of the e-tickets I was on and thus had to go to the front. As soon as I saw the lines, I realized I might have made a very stupid mistake and endanger keeping to my itinerary. At the ticket counter the elite line was longer than the regular line for checking in which is not unusual for a major hub for an airline. I have about an hour to go and get in line, having given up that I could possible make the 8:10 flight to Milwaukee. Maybe all this flying is starting to effect my ability to use common sense. Yes, I probably should have stayed inside the airport. Oh well, this is the real world. What happens next is unbelievable. When I stand in line for most other airline elite check-ins, it seems to move pretty slowly. What I witness is great. It doesn't take a half-hour to move through; it takes less than 15 minutes. What, don't these US Airways elite guys and gals change stuff all the time and want to take up the day at the counter? Apparently not as these employees really move it. I'm still amazed because I've stood in similar lines a few hundred times. But, so what if I now have my boarding pass, the lines below for security are as daunting as those I encountered in Denver are. Sure, two hours and I've now got less than 45 minutes to be on the plane and out of here. This is now all about the Pittsburgh Airport and not US Airways and if I miss this, I might spread the blame around. So, into the long line I go. No sooner do I start to think about whether to play 'kick-the-bag' or rent a SmartCarte to nudge along at some pace slower than a turtle, I'm interrupted as the lines move, and move, and move, and move. What's going on here I start to wonder. Did I somehow get in the line for no baggage or was this an employee express line. Well, I kept moving my bags in amazement and was in and out of the security checkpoint in less than 15 minutes. This same line would have taken 2 hours in Denver. The important thing is that after looking around, I felt just as secure with their procedure as the one in Denver. I have a few words to say as I head off to enjoy a half hour before my next flight that I would have never guessed to see: US AIRWAYS ELITE LINE STAFF AND PITTSBURGH AIRPORT ROCK. With that out of my way, I'm off to Milwaukee for yet another quick turnaround and then back to Pittsburgh and off to Dallas.

First Security Concern My next flight of the day was a quick flight to and from Detroit and during the process of getting the plane ready to leave the gate, there seems to be a security concern. When the plane doesn't leave as scheduled we start to look around just as the captain comes on the overhead and let's us know that they have been selected for a second check on some security issues. Wondering what that might be all about, we watch as three passengers are lead off the plane. After 15 minutes each is back on the plane with the captain giving us an update about every 10 minutes, just enough to sooth any concerns we might have about arriving in Detroit. Running almost 45 minutes late, we're off for Detroit. What did happen was that those who had been selected for further security screening were given complimentary seats in first class and I overheard the flight attendant tell all the others up there that it was just a random check and everyone was fine. That went a long way toward making us all feel better because as was expected, the person sitting next to me adopted a "guilty" frown toward the three people as they sat down and muttered something as to wondering why they were still let on the plane. I'm glad it happened as it allowed me to see up close and personal how airlines are going to handle these situations, as they invariably will come up from time to time. Of course the flight back was running very late and everyone who boarded was worried about his or her connections. The flight attendants let us all know that flights were being held and that most if not all would be in good shape if they had running shoes on. As it turns out, a few did miss their connections and I chatted with them briefly. Of the 5 people I chatted with, only one held the airline at fault, the other 4 seemed to forgive the airline and understand it was a security issue beyond the fault of US Airways and they were fine with that.

Day Three Well, I realize that here it is Sunday morning as my usual habit is to enjoy reading the Sunday newspaper. What I've never realized is that on this day I will have read that paper locally in 5 cities: Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Detroit and San Francisco. Thank goodness I like to read. As I board the flight to Louisville along with about 30 other people I notice something quite unusual. This gate agent is looking at the driver's license of each person as it's presented and saying, "Welcome aboard Betty". In my case he did call me Randy. Isn't it good that we can actually be comfortable to acknowledge each other's name? I would back legislation backing this for FAA mandate. Anyway, it's funny how things like this stick out. On the Pittsburgh - Louisville turnaround it is the very same plane and in the 10 minutes it took me to reboard, the head Flight Attendant pulls me aside and asks if I wasn't just on the flight that has just landed from Pittsburgh. When I answer her truthfully she wants to know why I would do such a thing. When I answer, "It's a frequent flyer thing" she grins as if understanding. Later she comes over and says she looked up my itinerary and thanks me for spending my day with US Airways. She then gifts me with a large bottle of water and mentions that I'll need it for hydration by the end of the day. And that's how I got my next drink.

Red-Eye At Night While on ATL/PIT for my connection to my first night of red-eyes, I strike up a conversation with a guy in pharmaceutical sales and he's out here about 150 days a year. The events of 9/11 had no impact on his travel he was airborne in a matter of days but his concern about all this was the pressure from the family. With a wife and two kids, they were doing all the worrying for him and did cause him a little reflection at first, but that is wearing away as he's recorded his 12th flight since that day and comes home safe to the family every few days. One of the more challenging trips for business or other travelers is the dreaded red-eye flights that link the two coasts. Flying over America late at night is one way to get where you are going and also one way to forever be tired at the next morning's presentation if you aren't one to sleep on planes and have the luxury of flying coach. Well, I'm in coach and doing my first back-to-back red-eye (PIT/PHX) followed the next night by another red-eye (PIT/SFO). While a great way to save on hotel bills, it's a lousy way to earn more points at Holiday Inn. But, off I go into the night. My lottery seat numbers for tonight are 31A and 8D and the first leg is 3 across and the middle seat guy does have some elbows. As we approach Phoenix, I'm still wide-awake and not that much farther in the paperback I have propped up in front of me for the past 4 hours or so. As I deplane, I notice they have already started to board the flight back to PIT and a quick flash of the drivers license, a few answered questions and within three minutes and fourteen seconds, I'm back on another plane headed from where I came. Lucked out this time, there's no person in the middle seat which means I have some elbow room to really stretch out. This time I'm a little smarter opting for a window seat as opposed to my usual aisle seat. I'm not going anywhere fast so I might as well let the side of the airplane hold my head from bobbing down. Yes, the world of travel is looking a little different behind these sagging eyelids. But no sleep for me, I'm in 31A and that means a little noise behind the jet engine. The captain says we're at 41,000 feet. I'm just wondering what happened to the normal 33,000 feet. The more I travel on this the more I return to wondering stupid things like that and less on things like the changes in travel. Whatever the changes are, you'll quickly find out as I have that they are melting into the background. The flight attendant working the back of this flight deserves a mention. After a little while I ask her about a blanket and a pillow, as I didn't notice any when boarding. As expected it seems that all airlines are cutting back on these items and so I'm prepared for head to fiberglass comfort as I lean to my left side seeking the "zone" to make it through this flight. A half-hour later the same flight attendant gets my attention and delivers to me a pillow and blanket. Apparently she had not forgot and played detective. As a passenger, it's always nice to know that I'm not ignored and forgotten. Yes, those of us that fly away in 31A deserve and got spoiled. The only thing better is if she might have offered up an upgrade because there were no pillows. I'm quite sure that thought was in a dream of mine as we head toward Pittsburgh. I think I remember landing in Pittsburgh at 5:22 a.m. and realize that not even the clubroom is open at this ungodly hour. The only thing now that keeps me going is the fact there are other traveling souls in the airport at this hour and somehow they all look better than I feel. Or is it that they look like they feel better than I look? So, pillow hair aside (in case you're wondering I still need that haircut) I hum a few bars of 'Why Am I So Tired - Part 2' enroute to the next gate for a flight leaving in a few much too short hours.

A Point In Time Atlanta-Pittsburgh flight is off the gate and airborne in under a minute. While the flights seem to be getting a little more crowded as US Airways and others trim back their schedules, it seems to be a great way to increase reliability. I'm on my 8th flight with a 100% on time schedule so far. I'm sure to encounter a few problems along the way to 70 segments on this trip but right now this is as flying was supposed to be. With all the news about FAA changes to carry-on baggage and such, I'm carrying (not checking) 2 weeks worth of clothes along with my backpack computer case and have encountered no problems so far and that includes a lot of up and down in a variety of aircraft. While there is certainly a limit to things, I really haven't found anything out of the ordinary for typical business travelers. TIP: every outside security screening seems to focus on nail clippers. I'm not sure why but that's the norm out here. So, if you carry one around, I might suggest you don't carry it in your regular luggage bag since the security personnel will more than likely stop you most of the time and dig it out, thus causing you lost time to the gate. They won't know that you broke off the metal nail file. I've just decided to carry it along and pass it through security along with my cell phone. That way it is easy to pass through and inspect if needed.

Lounge Act While on an hour or so layover in Charlotte, I head to one of the US Airways Club rooms to while away my time. Finding a corner to catch up on some business, I happen to go to the counter and ask about my seat assignment on the upcoming red-eye to Phoenix and back later this evening. The ladies had heard about my flight schedule and we quickly became best friends. What a wonderful group, they clearly have all worked together for some time and I paused to take a few pictures with them, though I think I messed up the flash and begged them to take a few extras (I only hope that you can see them in the picture). Honestly, this is one of the happiest groups of ladies I've seen in any airport lounge in a long while. So Lisa Boyce if you're reading - cheers. On the subsequent flights to Atlanta and then on to Pittsburgh, I noticed for the first time that things are getting back to normal from a passenger point of behavior. Some of the passengers are flirting with the flight attendants. Some things will never change. This weekend day of travel is really like any other, large groups of travelers going and coming from some tour, guys (and some girls) crowded around the TV screens in bars and elsewhere watching their favorite college team win or lose and it feels good that many of them aren't glued to CNN anymore. There will likely be other times when we'll all crowd around the TVs for reports on CNN, but for now it feels good not to have to. Barring no changes in current world events, I'd feel comfortable saying that based on this day at the airport, our world of air travel will return to normal in 3-6 months. In larger airports even the National Guard isn't so obvious. It's either that or I, like others, have become accustomed to them, which is OK with me.

Day Two Security at Jacksonville is smooth, taking me only about 15 minutes total to get through the checkpoint and that included the US Airways check-in counter. On board the flight to Charlotte I sit next to an elderly lady who spends winters in Florida and summers in Wisconsin. Of course she's a cheesehead and connects with one of the flight attendants who is also a Packer Backer. She was in London on September 11 and has all too well remembered the effect on her. One of the first to fly back to America from there, she remembered landing in the airport in Boston that had no one around, then on to Chicago which, while there were a few more people, was clearly a ghost town of an airport. All her kids and grandkids continue to ask if she's afraid to fly. But she decided early on that life is way too short and she was going to continue to live it. So she continues to fly when and where ever she pleases, reminding her concerned family that, "When it's time to go, it's time to go and nothing I can do will prevent that. So I will not slow down my time to travel." This comes from a lady who clearly enjoys life and clearly enjoys the value of family as she shows off some of the knitting she's doing for her kids - all with Green Bay Packers motif. Of all the new security changes that have been made, she only has a problem with one - she has to now leave her knitting needles home and purchase new ones where ever she travels to for any length of time. As we touch down in Charlotte, I noticed something from the crew that I don't often see. In first class the flight attendant went to each person and gave them their gate assignment for the next connection, rather than leaving them to listen to the overhead and try to remember and write it down from a long list. Very nice touch, I can't wait to try and get an upgrade if that is the way things are done at US Airways.

Another Airport Security Test Well, unlike Denver International, this airport took me only 10 minutes to clear. While I'm sure size of the airport is part of it, they had plenty of personnel ready to make it work. One bit of advice. You have probably heard that nail clippers are again allowed to travel with you. What you need to know is that they are likely to break off the metal file part of them. Here's the advice. While the first security test you passed might have broken that part off, other security people won't know and you'll always be flagged for them to check. If you always travel with nail clippers, carry them on you, that way your bag won't always be holding you up. Yes, they stopped me and they actually gave me the advice. That is a nice gesture. Again, license at the boarding gate and I'm free to fly.

First Night With a full day in the air and only the frustration of Denver International Airport in my memory, I'm reminded of an email I received from one of my readers shortly before leaving on this trip. He said to try and keep US Airways a secret because if too many people found out, they might change. I wasn't sure what he was talking about. I've flown this airline over a dozen times which in no big deal, but the times were spread out and I wasn't able to get a close look at how they would fare in more frequent use. Well, if what he meant was that they are a nicely kept secret, then I have to agree. Their first day is first rate with me. As is the next thing I want to comment on. I check into the Holiday Inn at the Jacksonville Airport and something happened for the first time ever. When I was registering, the clerk asked me if I had already pre-registered for the big 25,000-point bonus they have going on. I was trying to remember when she placed a flyer in front of me. It didn't sound familiar but as I realized how many of these hotels I was going to be staying in over the next two weeks, I took it with me. Very nicely run hotel and afterwards I noticed a 'Members Choice' ribbon on another clerk when checking out the next morning. A Members Choice award is a Priority Club honor voted on by members of that program and given to the hotel which has the best overall service in the land. I'm not sure how many such honors are given away but this hotel surely has earned one. I looked into the special business traveler lounge on the way to my room and while not unlike other special rooms at Sheraton or Hilton or Marriott or Hyatt, it did have something unusual. They had a book loan program with a wide variety of paperback and hardback books left or traded by other guests. Since I had just finished one, I turned it in and took another. A very, very cool idea. Now I know yet another reason they are an award-winning hotel. Enough said, breakfast with one of my readers and then off to security at this airport.

Private Jets? My next flight to Greenville/Spartanberg is on a US Airways Express regional jet and these always make me think I'm on a private jet. Keep dreaming huh? As we land and change to yet another 'private jet' for the next flight into Jacksonville, FL I suddenly realize that while most of the frequent flyers are putting their wings down for the night, I'm just half way through the first day. Oh well, think miles.

An Unsettling Change The one unsettling thing you'll have to get used to are the random luggage checks. Airport authrities are doing randon checks of luggage and individuals at nearly every departure gate. These don't indicate any bit of suspicion of you as they are just random and include young, old, single and families. Please when you see this happening, don't give these fellow travelers the evil eye or cold shoulder later on because your random selection may soon come up. So the next time you hear your name called over the gate area loudspeaker, it may not be that you cleared the upgrade line or you got a chance to get bumped.

My First Encounter Time to face New York and my next connection but the good news is that as we land I noticed that the nurse in front of me was gently re-folding her barf bag and putting it back in the seat back (empty). Well, I've got my first 'Where's Randy' contact. As I depart the US Airways flight at LGA looking for my connection to Greenville/Spartanberg I run into Tim and Erin. Actually, they run into me and make a good day better. Just so happens they work for US Airways and identified me from the mileage run. So with a photo opportunity, we enjoy the moment and I take on a special gift. A new wardrobe. With cap, collared shirt and t-shirt from usairways.com, I'm ready for a few more days of laundry denial. They also come bearing a special gift - i have the first button to be worn by a passenger for their upcoming new program called 'I Fly The Flag.' Later as I'm waiting for the next flight I'm approached again and have to give away one of my special FlyerTalk tags for luggage. Another traveler standing near by gets sucked into our conversation and himself being a 30+ trip a year guy who does - of all things - art restoration, tells the two of us that he's just now getting back into traveling and really has no regrets. He doesn't feel safety is a concern.

World Trade Center As the flight heads south over the 'Sandy Hook' part of New Jersey, I know what's coming up and excuse myself to find an empty window seat a few rows back (I was on the aisle). We make the turn and start up the Hudson River toward LaGuardia to land. As we pass the site of the World Trade Center off the right wing, there is not a passenger on the plane who is not straining in their seatbelt or simply getting out of their seat to look at what wasn't there. And while it might have been my imagination, I'm sure that the pilot dipped his right wing to honor those who we can't see anymore as the site of the World Trade Center passed below. I did not have to look around the plane to know that we all shed another tear for the image we now saw. Later I wonder if a few years from now when I and other frequent flyers will have repeated other landings into New York dozens more times - will that moment I just experienced off the right wing ever change? Honestly, I don't think so.

Pittsburgh - New York As the plane is boarding, one of the nurses in front of me asks the flight attendant for a cup of ice. The request was greeted with a smile and soon she was asking anyone else in the area if they wanted anything. A few of them asked for soda and all were served. This type of service before takeoff doesn't happen very often and it did catch my attention. After the nurse got her cup of ice, she then grabbed the barf bag in the seat back. I'm left wondering if she collects them or if I need to start worrying. As we take off her nurse friends are providing the attention and encouragement she needs..... thank them. Gee, it's just the second flight and already I'm starting to memorize the videos they play on each flight. Go ahead; test me on where US Airways will soon be flying in the Caribbean. Near starvation, I can't wait for the beverage cart to near and I ask if I could have an extra 'Sky Mix.' My first nourishment for the day and I'm starting to come back to life.

Voice Mail Checking voice mail I have my usual dozens of messages for the hour. The one that stands out is from one of my sisters. Hearing of this trip, she has some natural concerns. Like many who don't fly very often, she's worried for me. When I can I'll surely call her up and make sure she knows just what I see and feel - I'm fine to fly.

Day One Honestly, while much of the media talk about the aloof nature of passengers because of security concerns, this flight is as normal as any of the almost 1,000 flights I've enjoyed (OK, some I didn't enjoy) in the last 16 years. As we arrive into the airport in Pittsburgh around 2 p.m., the only danger I'm in is from starving to death. Because of the long security line at Denver, I wasn't able to enjoy a Cinna-Bon or bagel and am running on water right now. With food service cutbacks, there's every chance my long awaited diet plan is kicking in. My LaGuardia connection in Pittsburgh is pretty tight and with long lines at the few food service facilities there, I'm back in the air...at least a half-pound lighter. The New York flight is again like any other. I spend a few minutes eavesdropping on a guy seated across from me with a Big Daddy Records jacket on and his cell phone bill getting larger by the minute. From the sound of the conversation, he's trying to sign some new rap star somewhere. In the row in front of me sit three ladies on their way to a nursing convention and in my row I'm three across with an elderly couple off to see the grand kids in Myrtle Beach. All my seatmates are comfortable flying, and they say so. I now realize that the most important item along on this trip is not my airport lounge membership card, but my driver's license. American Express may have invented the marketing slogan for their credit card a few years back that says, "Don't leave home without it," but I'm convinced that the Department of Motor Vehicle should acquire that slogan and brand it everywhere. I've barely started this trip and have shown my license 6 times. I feel sorry for those of you who don't like your picture on your license because you have to show it to all kinds of people. Yes, they'll forget you after a while, but you still hate that picture. As for getting back to normal, I'm 2-for-2 in getting a seating assignment sitting three across. Hey, someone's flying out here. But I have a tip for you all. I noticed on the way back to coach that there were several empty first class seats. Since I know that in the top tier of the US Airways Dividend Miles program they give you unlimited first class upgrades, if you're having any problems being spoiled at one of the other airlines, I think US Airways has an upgrade just for you. Nope, not a commercial, just an envious observation.

Day One: DIA Security I turn the corner with my bags in hand heading for the x-ray machines. But when I arrive where I think they are I'm met by a mass of humanity. Spread out in lines that snake forever are my fellow flyers. After the shock sets in, I decide to use an old trick I know. I'll just screen through at the other terminal, terminal A. There I'm greeted with a request for my driver's license and my ticket. License gets a close inspection but ticket doesn't pass. Apparently DIA authorities have decided that only those passengers actually flying from terminal A can use this shortcut. That's not good news as I look forward to a much shorter line in the distance. So, back to find the end of my fate. The end must be around here somewhere. Walking what seems like the length of Mile High stadium (sorry Invesco Field), I find the end and join ranks with others. United 1K members both front and back bracket me and we quickly strike up conversations. Yes, they all have come to hate DIA. The security lines are always long and both people have missed flights because of it. Well, my turn to find out. A good two hours later I am through screening which, while more thorough than in the past, is not a big deal. Along the wait I learn a few things. First, have a plan for bathrooms. If traveling solo you are going to have to rely on getting friendly with other passengers to hold your place should nature call. While the airport authorities might cringe at the thought that you would leave your bags in place as you scurry off to find the men's and women's signs, there's really not much choice. My 1K friends watch things as I leave and return. Also, after a few minutes of playing 'kick the bag,' I decide the constant effort of moving my luggage along this line is too much effort, so you might do what I did, excuse myself and pay to rent a 'SmartCarte.' For the $2 it cost me, I am able to nudge along my two bags with no effort. In fact, all my newfound friends hang their stuff off the cart and we're now family. Throughout my time in line I hear others voice their distaste for this line at Denver International. And it did me no good as we got closer to see the days' headlines on a newspaper stand from the Rocky Mountain News, "DIA Travelers Near Breaking Point." I can see why. Also, there were two long lines for me to choose from which I did at random. After 1 1/2 hours I was within sighting distance of the x-ray machines and noticed the other line nearby and a sign for the first time. The other line was for 'Express' - people with no carry on or laptops, etc. I did notice many people in that line who had carry on bags not knowing that rule until it was too late. Security was flagging them and pointing them in our direction, surely an argument or two broke out from the lost time in the wrong line. Other than the fact that DIA was using only 4 of the possible 6 machines to pass people through security (gee, apparently they have decided to cut back on payroll as well given the fragile economy) I got through and on to my gate, checking and rechecking my watch every 30 seconds as flight time approached. I see that checking your watch is a very popular habit as we get closer, apparently everyone is worrying about making his or her flight. Let's be honest here, the actual security procedure is fine, just follow good sense and you will be OK. It is important to be ready to have your bag checked at any time. The train approaches the concourse and stops for me. I along with a dozen others bolt out the door and run at full speed up the escalator and we all disappear in different directions. Trust me, we weren't training for the next summer Olympics but there was some record speed coming out of those train cars. As far as I know, we all made our flights. Let's be honest here, Denver International is a problem. There is no excuse to not have all their x-tray and other machines fully staffed. Connecting through is fine, but starting from there is no fun. After this airport opened in 1995 with national attention for its baggage delivery problems, it seems to be seeking national headlines for other problems. According to the Rocky Mountain News, they already have the local attention. Now, let's see what flying is like.

Day One: Check-in I'm ready and after a quick morning ritual, head off for the airport, arriving a full 2+ hours in advance of flight time. When the US Airways check-in agent looks over my license, she pulls up my reservation and after a second she scratches her head and goes to get another agent, pointing out something on my screen. After another few minutes of moving screens around she looks at me and with a little grin on her face says, "Mr. Petersen, I'm not a travel agent but I believe I can get you to Jacksonville by a more direct route." We both start to laugh as I reply. "Probably so, but you know us frequent flyers, always trying to fly more miles. Let's just leave it as it is." And to the ticketing process she goes. With new carry-on rules, I decide to check my bag and as she goes about listing the five segments onto the baggage tag she turns again to me and says, "That's a lot of short connections and if you don't mind a suggestion, would you consider taking the bag with you? I think you'll feel better about the bag finally landing with you." Good point as it's asking an airline a lot to make all those moves. I point out my small computer backpack and she assures me that fits the profile of being "personal" and I'm OK to take both on board. So with 5 boarding passes, I'm off to face security. So far, so good and while I forgot the name of the lady who checked me in - she did provide me with a smile on my face. A direct flight, what's that?

The night before With an 8:30 a.m. start on this venture from Denver International Airport, I figured I better be there a few hours in advance. I had heard stories of 2-4 hour waits for security and also that things were back to normal. Since I couldn't risk it, I opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Express at the Denver Airport the night before. Arriving just after midnight (yep, just like you, a long day at the office) I was greeted with a sign from Airport officials saying passengers are advised to arrive 3-6 hours in advance of flight time. Was this a new poster I thought or a left over from mid-September. No security could take that long could it? That thought lingered in the back of my mind as I hoisted my bag and strolled up to the front desk. With my Priority Club Gold card in hand, I'm ready for a good night's sleep. The young kid at the front desk was beaming with enthusiasm as I was started to wind down when presenting all my credentials. I think he said, "We have your reservation, but we are faced with a sold out situation tonight for your requested 'King Size bed, non-smoking, near the elevator." I had noticed the parking lot was full. That news was just starting to sink in when he went on to say, "So I hope you don't mind if we put you in a smoking room with a Jacuzzi Suite." Being humble and real tired I said that any bed was sounding good about now. He did assure me he had just deodorized the room personally and that's good enough for me. So with room card in hand, off I trek down the hallway. This room is the size of Texas and indeed has a Jacuzzi in the room, not in the bathroom. But this is Good/Bad. Good situation to be in, bad timing. I don't know about you but every time I luck out and get a great upgrade, it's when I check in very late and need to get up early, never being able to fully appreciate it. So as I call downstairs for the 5:30 wake-up, I see the bedside clock read 1:17 am as I doze off.

Pre-flight Well, time has come to spread some wings. While the travel industry has started to come back, the 20%+ of business not yet back is a real concern for airlines and hotels. Some think it's safety, some from extended mourning of the events of 9/11 and others because of the economy. Whatever it is, it's time to get out and see what flying is like in America and other parts of the world right now. While some of the folks who visit FlyerTalk.com on a regular basis have become familiar with the term 'mileage run', there's probably much of America that still doesn't know some of us just get on airplanes to fly around - all in the happy pursuit of those darn frequent flyer miles. Last year I trekked through a few dozen airports in Latin, Central and South America with a few fellow frequent flyers all in pursuit of that prize called the 'LatinPass Run'. Earned a million mile bonus for that and the 3 1/2 days we flew close to non-stop was seen as a sure sign that we had spent so much time as frequent flyers that we had lost touch with reality. Well, flying three or four days is not unusual for those of you who earn your living much of the time at 33,000 feet. So, I decided to urge America to Come Fly With Me as we discover all the reasons for you to get back on an airplane and stay in hotels. While flying great distances is relatively easy for all us long haul guys and gals, flying great distances on a short-haul carrier makes a whole lot of difference. So, I chose US Airways to Come Fly With Me. As an airline that is as affected by recent events as anyone, they are also an airline that covers plenty of those hour-long flights. And when I'm not flying, I'm going to need a place to occasionally call "home." Welcome Holiday Inn. As a member of their Priority Club who already has some 350,000 points with them, I figure if I play my sleep time right with them, I'll just have enough stays to re-qualify for Platinum status. So come along, let's look at America in transit and discover together why it is possible to fly safely right now.