Short trip report: SAN-SLC-DTW

I just got back last night from my trip to Exchange Connections (more details here). I was originally scheduled to take Delta’s redeye SAN-ATL-TOL, which would have put me in about 10a this morning. Arlene suggested checking flights into Detroit; I did and was pleased to see the new SLC-DTW service operated by ShuttleAmerica. I’d forgotten all about it, though it was discussed extensively on FlyerTalk. I rebooked my ticket over the phone; for some reason, DL’s website wouldn’t let me do it online. The first agent I spoke to said he’d updated my reservation, but he didn’t, so I had to call back. Neither agent believed me when I told them that the Embraer 170s flown on this route (and SLC-CMH) had a first-class cabin, but the second guy reluctantly put me on the upgrade list.

I got to SAN on time, and had an uneventful (if cramped) CRJ flight SAN-SLC. In SLC, I finally got a chance to eat the famous pork chop dinner at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. It was outstanding (but then I was hungry because I skipped lunch). The onion strings were particularly good when dipped in the gravy, to boot. When I got to my departure gate, I found that only one of the 6 F seats had checked in; I was #3 on the waitlist, so I cleared easily. Interestingly, we pushed back with two empty F seats; although standby upgrades were for sale for $100, no one took the bait.

I was delighted with the whole SLC-DTW trip. The aircraft was well-lit, clean, and new; the seats were very comfortable, and the flight crew was attentive and friendly. I’ll definitely try my next return from SEA as SEA-SLC-DTW; that gives me a solid half-day of work and still gets me home the same night, as opposed to my habit of taking the redeye SEA-ATL. (Interestingly, when I tried booking an itinerary with SLC-DTW, DL’s website let me get on the upgrade list for that segment– maybe yesterday’s problem was transient.) We left about 20 minutes late and got into DTW about 30 minutes early, which was great…

until I made it to baggage claim and found that Expressions Limousine hadn’t sent a car to come get me. Oops. I called them several times, but they were already closed, so I called National and rented a car to drive from DTW to home. I picked a Chevy Impala GTZ off the lot, mostly because I could see it had an XM Radio antenna on top. What a pleasant surprise! This is the first GM car I’ve ever driven that I would actually consider buying; it drove and handled well, had a nicely appointed interior without the usual crappy GM plastics, and felt solid and stable.

This morning, I called the Expressions folks at TOL to complain. They explained that the night-shift dispatcher was at fault, apologized profusely, and offered to give me my next TOL-DTW trip free. That’s a nice offer, but I’m still nervous that they’ll leave me standing at the curb again– I’ll keep it in mind, though.