After many years of traveling, I take a pride in myself in having mastered the art of packing where the only luggage I would need for a week long trip is a regular roll aboard carry on bag and a back pack. But then again, all my travels during the past five or so years have never involved a trip/stay that is longer than one month. Hence, I was faced with the problem/dilemma of how to prepare my five month’s stay in Korea, especially considering seasonal changes between summer and winter – this, indeed, was an un-chartered territory for this seasoned traveler. Not knowing what to expect, I found myself with an extra large suite case accompanied by two additional luggages that I would have to check-in for my flights, and not to mention two pieces that I had as a carry-on baggage. So, I ended up with five pieces of luggage that I would have to haul around throughout my travels until I reach Korea. This was no where near what I would consider as being efficient, especially given the stringent security procedures I must face post-London terror alert.
On top of the troubles I was having with packing, I found myself short on time, with only about two hours to my first flight out of Boston. I was no where near complete as I still had clothes in the dryer that needed to be packed. Now, it has become almost of a ritual that I stay up all night packing prior to my flights to Asia. One of the reasons is because I believe that it would “help” me adjust to the time changes as I will be able to sleep on my flights over the pacific. Another odd reason is that I almost “enjoy” the feel of rush having to pack close to my time of departure. Of course, these are not typical things that one would associate with a seasoned traveler, but I can assure you that I have never failed to miss a flight or forgotten an important travel item yet resulting from this behavior – in’challah. Nonetheless, I have made it to the Boston’s Logan International Airport at the dawn of September 1st, with about 50 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Contrary to my worries of having to wait in long lines, it took me less than 5 minutes to complete check-in for my flights to Los Angeles with United Airlines with all my bags checked all the way to Singapore. This, I guess, is one of the many great perks of traveling in first class.
Bidding a farewell to my sister who drove me to the airport was rather tough though we will see each other again in December. Perhaps this sudden rush of emotion was because of uncertainty and worries that I had for my sister and her potential challenges in living independently post collegiate years. Having recently graduated from the famous Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial Design, my sister is hoping to continue her education in graduate school where she hopes to expand her knowledge beyond designing into the world of history and concepts of fine arts. Meanwhile, she is hoping to find temporary internships with design firms in Boston to continue expanding her experiences in her specialty. Although I am certain that she is more than capable of handling these challenges that the society may have on her, I believe that it is simply a natural kinship that leaves me constantly be concerned for the well-beings of my family.
Passing through the security, I was concerned that I had just missed a friend of mine whom I was to meet at the airline lounge prior to departure. It is a funny thing, if we define a friendship as a relationship between persons who have had physical contact over an extended period of time, that I refer to this person as a “friend” while I have never met him in person. Quite frankly, I am more of a conservative when it comes to defining who my friend is or not. However, I find that internet is a marvelous thing for meeting new and interesting types of people, especially considering when there is a community of “netizens” gathered in on website interested in one specific topic of interest – frequent flying. I belong to such a website called flyertalk.com where people by choice, by hobby, and by the nature of the work they do need to fly coast to coast, over the “pond” and between cities. While the main objective of this community to share information as to how to successfully manage frequent flier miles, many often share and give advice on many ‘how to’s’ in making flying experience less of a hassle and more of a joyous occasion. Since joining this group last summer, I have not only acquired insurmountable knowledge in maximizing my frequent flying experience, including how to maximize my mileage accrual, but also have shared, hopefully, valuable information and tips to others in frequent flying that I have gained through my own personal experiences. Nonetheless, while the significant part of having achieved a dream of first class flying was due to this community, through this community, I have also gained valuable friendships even though I have not had the privilege of meeting most of them in person. Hence, I always appreciate the opportunity meet anyone from this community when their flight schedules align with mine.
Fortunately, having been informed of my flight schedule, my friend, Todd, had already rescheduled his flight to be on my flight to Chicago. Todd is much older than I am with a very interesting life as both a radio host (or sometimes as a guests to many radio stations around the country) and a meteorologist. He was considerably older than I am with countless life-time flown miles with many carriers including United Airlines. However, despite vast differences in our age, professional interests, and other factors, I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Todd, sharing our personal experiences while flying, general ‘flyertalk’ agenda, and airline business issues. Other than this, the flight to Chicago was uneventful with rather uncomfortable economy class-like “first class” seats and a mediocre breakfast that included small fruit plate. Upon our arrive into Chicago, I had a privilege in inviting Todd to the International First Class Lounge, one of many perks when flying on an international first class ticket with transits. As we had different destinations after Chicago, with my short connection in Chicago, I said good byes to Todd with a wish that we will soon cross paths again.
The flight to Los Angeles was much more comfortable as the airplane was configured for international flights with three separate classes of service. While the seats in the first class were not completely flat – such being the current industry standard for international first class seats – the seat was far more comfortable than the seat in my previous flight and most adequate for flights of such length. Four hours and fifteen minutes of smooth almost turbulence-free flight came to an end with an almost perfect touch-down on the runway 25R of this Boeing 767-300 ER plane. I am now one more airport closer and just hours away from the most desired and acclaimed first class service in the world – the Singapore Airlines legendary First Class service.
On top of the troubles I was having with packing, I found myself short on time, with only about two hours to my first flight out of Boston. I was no where near complete as I still had clothes in the dryer that needed to be packed. Now, it has become almost of a ritual that I stay up all night packing prior to my flights to Asia. One of the reasons is because I believe that it would “help” me adjust to the time changes as I will be able to sleep on my flights over the pacific. Another odd reason is that I almost “enjoy” the feel of rush having to pack close to my time of departure. Of course, these are not typical things that one would associate with a seasoned traveler, but I can assure you that I have never failed to miss a flight or forgotten an important travel item yet resulting from this behavior – in’challah. Nonetheless, I have made it to the Boston’s Logan International Airport at the dawn of September 1st, with about 50 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Contrary to my worries of having to wait in long lines, it took me less than 5 minutes to complete check-in for my flights to Los Angeles with United Airlines with all my bags checked all the way to Singapore. This, I guess, is one of the many great perks of traveling in first class.
Bidding a farewell to my sister who drove me to the airport was rather tough though we will see each other again in December. Perhaps this sudden rush of emotion was because of uncertainty and worries that I had for my sister and her potential challenges in living independently post collegiate years. Having recently graduated from the famous Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial Design, my sister is hoping to continue her education in graduate school where she hopes to expand her knowledge beyond designing into the world of history and concepts of fine arts. Meanwhile, she is hoping to find temporary internships with design firms in Boston to continue expanding her experiences in her specialty. Although I am certain that she is more than capable of handling these challenges that the society may have on her, I believe that it is simply a natural kinship that leaves me constantly be concerned for the well-beings of my family.
Passing through the security, I was concerned that I had just missed a friend of mine whom I was to meet at the airline lounge prior to departure. It is a funny thing, if we define a friendship as a relationship between persons who have had physical contact over an extended period of time, that I refer to this person as a “friend” while I have never met him in person. Quite frankly, I am more of a conservative when it comes to defining who my friend is or not. However, I find that internet is a marvelous thing for meeting new and interesting types of people, especially considering when there is a community of “netizens” gathered in on website interested in one specific topic of interest – frequent flying. I belong to such a website called flyertalk.com where people by choice, by hobby, and by the nature of the work they do need to fly coast to coast, over the “pond” and between cities. While the main objective of this community to share information as to how to successfully manage frequent flier miles, many often share and give advice on many ‘how to’s’ in making flying experience less of a hassle and more of a joyous occasion. Since joining this group last summer, I have not only acquired insurmountable knowledge in maximizing my frequent flying experience, including how to maximize my mileage accrual, but also have shared, hopefully, valuable information and tips to others in frequent flying that I have gained through my own personal experiences. Nonetheless, while the significant part of having achieved a dream of first class flying was due to this community, through this community, I have also gained valuable friendships even though I have not had the privilege of meeting most of them in person. Hence, I always appreciate the opportunity meet anyone from this community when their flight schedules align with mine.
Fortunately, having been informed of my flight schedule, my friend, Todd, had already rescheduled his flight to be on my flight to Chicago. Todd is much older than I am with a very interesting life as both a radio host (or sometimes as a guests to many radio stations around the country) and a meteorologist. He was considerably older than I am with countless life-time flown miles with many carriers including United Airlines. However, despite vast differences in our age, professional interests, and other factors, I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Todd, sharing our personal experiences while flying, general ‘flyertalk’ agenda, and airline business issues. Other than this, the flight to Chicago was uneventful with rather uncomfortable economy class-like “first class” seats and a mediocre breakfast that included small fruit plate. Upon our arrive into Chicago, I had a privilege in inviting Todd to the International First Class Lounge, one of many perks when flying on an international first class ticket with transits. As we had different destinations after Chicago, with my short connection in Chicago, I said good byes to Todd with a wish that we will soon cross paths again.
The flight to Los Angeles was much more comfortable as the airplane was configured for international flights with three separate classes of service. While the seats in the first class were not completely flat – such being the current industry standard for international first class seats – the seat was far more comfortable than the seat in my previous flight and most adequate for flights of such length. Four hours and fifteen minutes of smooth almost turbulence-free flight came to an end with an almost perfect touch-down on the runway 25R of this Boeing 767-300 ER plane. I am now one more airport closer and just hours away from the most desired and acclaimed first class service in the world – the Singapore Airlines legendary First Class service.
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