Star Mega DO - Birthday Party in the Air!

Last week I spent my another birthday with fellow airline buffs on Star Mega DO II.  Here are some videos of the special Birthday celebrations I had the last two years.  For those thinking of planning my 40th Birthday, think Concorde or Space flight trip!  :)

Last year I sat in the Cockpit on take-off out of Oslo, Norway!





Another first this year was having nearly 200 FlyerTalker Friends sing happy birthday to me at 36,000 feet!

Funny Text from a Friend

Going to Atlanta for a Delta Airlines customer event.  A friend sends me the following text today:

Can't fathom WHY you'd stay out at the airport. There's nada around there but airlines and airline people... UH, nevermind

It is great when you have friends that truely know you.  They may not understand you, but they know who you are!

My Flight on the First New United Airlines Plane

Currently flying from ORD (Chicago O’Hare) to IAH (Houston Intercontinental Airport) on CO 747 on the first 737-900ER painted in the new livery of United.  While in Chicago I had a fun time talking with many of the New United employees and all that I talked to seemed very happy to hear about the changes and the new CEO Jeff Smisek.  The new CEO was touring what will become his second home the ORD Airport meeting with all levels of employees and customers.  I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff when Larry Kellner was the CEO of Continental and know him to be a honest and straight forward guy.  He will tell you like it is.

I had the chance to take several shots of the events throughout the day and I also got interviewed by the Houston ABC station for the nightly news story on the merger.  I will post that if and when I make the online news.  J  Before the flight many of the United people were gathering at the gate and on the tarmac to see the new plane come in and enjoy the festivities.  UA/CO is hosting at all there stations throughout the system to bring all the employees together and show the spirit of “Let’s Fly Together” from day one.  All the employees from all levels of the new UA seemed very excited about the change and the hope for the future.  Some of the CO employees were sorry to hear about the loss of the CO name but happy to keep the aircraft livery and the CEO that they feel will continue some of the employee focused policies of CO but with some of the customer innovations of the old UA mixed in. 

One job I would not like to have today would be Jeff Smeisek.  He is now the head of the world’s largest airline which from a mechanical standpoint keeping the airline running won’t be the biggest issue as long as he is able to bring the employee groups together to make the changes necessary to make the new UA the best of both of the former airlines.

I was able to capture many moments at the airport as the old CO was backed out and the new UA was taxied into position for my flight to IAH. 

The buzz at the gate before the flight arrives, mostly United folks.

New aircraft at the gate

News team from Houston ABC

Here is the video coverage that the Houston ABC station took in Chicago of the arrival and leaving of the first United painted plane.  ABC Video

Jeff talking with United crew

The buzz on the Tarmac

From the cockpit to let the crews know they are on New Livery

Our plane was posing for pictures



Jeff and I in the back galley

As we were boarding the aircraft I attempted to make a joke with Jeff as we were boarded and mentioned to him “This line is for Elite Access only!”  I hope he got the joke.  Here are many of the pictures of the gate area as we departed ORD for IAH.  As we pushed backed and taxied to the runway, I felt a little like a celebrity as there were people stopping to get out of their vans, cars, and tugs so that they could get a picture of the new plane.  This is a historic day in aviation history and I am happy to be flying on the first flight of the new UA livery.  It will still be a few years until we will have the chance to fly on the first revenue flight of the new UA.  Not all the passengers on the flight are aware of the significance of flight they are on today.  Just the few of us aviation geeks out there.

Overall the flight was uneventful. The first class meal was very good and no cheese soup was served.  As irony would have it, the Direct TV was out the entire flight.  Perhaps a system reboot would have helped that but I don’t know.  I know that the one person that could make it happen did ask to have it checked into so that the customers would have the best experience possible. I look forward to riding the first revenue flight on United in the future!

The New United

Later today I will be on one of the first planes painted in the New United Airlines colors.  This merger will bring together two airlines that I have enjoyed flying and I see the future looking even brighter!

Here are some of the new shiny things I have found so far in Chicago!

The United CEO is here.

Of course a new safety video introduction too!

One last look at the airline that I have flown the last ten years!



The First New UA Bird is Painted!

There are rumors that this bird will start flying on Friday!  The New UA is born!

Another Airline Lounge with Free Booze

American Airlines announced today that they will start free well liqueur, beer, and wine starting on Oct. 1, 2010. In addition, they will offer food and premium drinks for a fee when you visit their locations. This change is something that members have been asking for and a policy that US (US Airways) recently went to and one that DL (Delta Airlines) and CO (Continental Airlines) have been doing for many years now. This does present a good reason for the new UA (United Airlines) to have free booze in their lounges as this is not currently the case and they are the only hub and spoke with clubs in the US without some type of free alcohol. Below is the link to the press release sent out by AA today.


American Airlines Domestic Admirals Club Lounges to Offer Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages

Interesting Travel Signs

Last weekend when traveling from SDF-CLE-EWR-SDF I saw the follwoing two signs:

In SDF if you are a family you are horses.  If you are a casual traveler apparently you are able

 to ride the backs of the familys to get through the security line!

From a trip a week prior through CVG I saw this sign:

Hmmm, I am at an airport!