Well I finally ventured out to do my first set of trips (early April), in the "shares" world as we see it now. So much gloom and doom to read about, I was really hesitant at first, and to my surpirise, all went well.
Trip 1 PIT-PHL-PIT...Checked in at the PIT ATO, couldn't get the SP ticket to come out at first. About 20 hits on the keyboard, there it was. 10 min tops. Thru security quick, to the gate, changed seat...no problem....pushed off gate OT...as we taxi...1hr ATC hold low ceilings in PHL. A lot of groaning on the A/C. Released 35 min into GS. Everyone made their conx. The PHL station was actually calm. I know, I expected the worst. Return, no problem. OT! WOW!
Trip 2 PIT-CLT-PIT....Checked in at the PIT ATO. No problem, SP ticket out on the first try. Boarded early and pushed 5 min early. OT arrival in CLT. Crappy day in CLT, rain, overcast, just down right nasty. Some lines at Special Service...not too bad. Some delays posted, but things were moving. Return flight 40 min late IB from NAS, full flight to PIT off gate 30 min late, #22 in line, arrive 1hr late. Glad to be home.
Trip 3 PIT-DCA-SRQ....First time with Republic and the E170. Nice A/C. No problem at the PIT ATO, had 1 ticket for my mother from SABRE heaven from last year, printed to paper, good to go. I coud not believe that one. Boarded and pushed 5 min early. The carry on issue is always a problem. The F/A's were very helpful. Not too pleased with the "as needed drink service", but 45 min, I 'll be OK. And what is it with the window shades in the up position on landing and take off? Someone must have been board. They need to drop that, and now!
In DCA I was actually paged out of the lounge and given a seat! WOW....45 min before departure. Boarded and pushed 5 min early and arrived in SRQ 10 min early. Nice airport!
We really under-serve this place. A little hidden piece of heaven.
Trip 4 TPA-PIT....At the TPA ATO at 5:45am. Line was out of the ropes, but moving at a steady pace. The old paper ticket was no problem, but my ETC booking would not print a boarding pass. After 20 min, a gate pass is given to me to get me thru security. In the boarding lounge at 7:10 for and 8:20 departure, and that was using the employee line at security. Boarded early, and pushed 10 min early!
I know this "Shares" transition has been a nightmare, but I spoke with a lot of agents, and the comment was, "we seem to work around it". The TPA agents really had their hands full that morning. I really give them and all of the front line agents a lot of credit. All of the flight crews were excellent! Thank You! I know this nightmare of shares is not going away, and I only hope there are a lot of quick fixes in the making.
Have a great week everyone! Thanks for listening!!
Jetman out..... B)
Trip 1 PIT-PHL-PIT...Checked in at the PIT ATO, couldn't get the SP ticket to come out at first. About 20 hits on the keyboard, there it was. 10 min tops. Thru security quick, to the gate, changed seat...no problem....pushed off gate OT...as we taxi...1hr ATC hold low ceilings in PHL. A lot of groaning on the A/C. Released 35 min into GS. Everyone made their conx. The PHL station was actually calm. I know, I expected the worst. Return, no problem. OT! WOW!
Trip 2 PIT-CLT-PIT....Checked in at the PIT ATO. No problem, SP ticket out on the first try. Boarded early and pushed 5 min early. OT arrival in CLT. Crappy day in CLT, rain, overcast, just down right nasty. Some lines at Special Service...not too bad. Some delays posted, but things were moving. Return flight 40 min late IB from NAS, full flight to PIT off gate 30 min late, #22 in line, arrive 1hr late. Glad to be home.
Trip 3 PIT-DCA-SRQ....First time with Republic and the E170. Nice A/C. No problem at the PIT ATO, had 1 ticket for my mother from SABRE heaven from last year, printed to paper, good to go. I coud not believe that one. Boarded and pushed 5 min early. The carry on issue is always a problem. The F/A's were very helpful. Not too pleased with the "as needed drink service", but 45 min, I 'll be OK. And what is it with the window shades in the up position on landing and take off? Someone must have been board. They need to drop that, and now!
In DCA I was actually paged out of the lounge and given a seat! WOW....45 min before departure. Boarded and pushed 5 min early and arrived in SRQ 10 min early. Nice airport!
We really under-serve this place. A little hidden piece of heaven.
Trip 4 TPA-PIT....At the TPA ATO at 5:45am. Line was out of the ropes, but moving at a steady pace. The old paper ticket was no problem, but my ETC booking would not print a boarding pass. After 20 min, a gate pass is given to me to get me thru security. In the boarding lounge at 7:10 for and 8:20 departure, and that was using the employee line at security. Boarded early, and pushed 10 min early!
I know this "Shares" transition has been a nightmare, but I spoke with a lot of agents, and the comment was, "we seem to work around it". The TPA agents really had their hands full that morning. I really give them and all of the front line agents a lot of credit. All of the flight crews were excellent! Thank You! I know this nightmare of shares is not going away, and I only hope there are a lot of quick fixes in the making.
Have a great week everyone! Thanks for listening!!
Jetman out..... B)
