S&A around London

Okay, this may be as boring as watching ice drip, but since it was my first time to London and Amanda's first trip overseas, I thought I'd post some of the non-convention shots that I took.

First, the flight. the way we actually got the tickets is a rather long one, but know that it was complicated and involved a lot of work on my part and Stephanie, who works with Creation. I ended up using my FF miles on American to get two First Class tickets. Why fly First Class? Well, I'm not a real stickler for that, but experience has shown me what 11 hours in coach can mean. But if I'm flying with someone or friends, coach isn't that bad. So, originally, Amanda and I were going to fly coach. However, we had also planned to stay a few days after the con to enjoy London. As it got closer to the time, we realized that there was no way we would be able to stay. Obligations here at home and the weak U.S. dollar meant we'd only be able to stay as long as the convention. So, I figured, why not make the flight part of the trip itself by really doing it up First Class?

Of course, I've flown First Class before. But for Amanda, though, this was going to be an experience. I mean, she's just now getting used to indoor plumbing.

The experience begins the moment you get to the airport. The line for First Class is much shorter. So we checked in (with carry on baggage only) and were told to follow all the signs for Fastrack. Fastrack means you skip the normal, long lines in security and boarding. Now if this sounds elitist, keep in mind that it's one of the reasons people pay ten to twenty thousand dollars for a ticket to fly First Class internationally. I think a little cutsies to the head of the line is expected!

As it was a security station, I don't have photos of us going through the detectors. But despite the short line, we did as everyone else does and had to remove computers, video cameras, take off our shoes, and get a massage from a Swedish Bikini Team member (wait... they don't do that in coach?). I also remove my belt and all metal from my pockets. How Amanda got through with half the periodic table to metals hanging from her, I have no idea. But neither of us were stopped and we continued on to the Flagship Lounge!

The Flagship Lounge is another perk of First Class. Most major airlines have them. They are lounges separated from everyone else where you can sit and eat or chat while waiting for your boarding. The food there is included in the price as well as the internet access and drinks. And we are talking DRINKS. Hard liquor or champagne, there if you want it.

Here, Amanda stands in the American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.

Amanda has a sandwich while we wait. I made a decision that, if I was going to use all those Frequent Flyer miles to fly First Class, I was going to eat EVERYTHING they offered me. A decision that will take me a few weeks to work off... but worth it.

When your plane is ready to board, they make an announcement in the Lounge and you head off to board early.

Once on board, you settle in. In First Class, this means putting your luggage away, giving your coat to the attendants, and playing with all the neat gizmos and gadgets at your seat. This includes the seat itself, which pivots around and lays flat. Also means playing with the pop-up TV screen which will have all your entertainment. Even though it's not working before you take off, we enjoyed actually making it pop up and down from the console.

Amanda was a bit peeved that the console dividing us was so wide; meant we couldn't lean up against each other, but she soon lost her annoyance when the attendant asked her if she wanted champagne before we took off. She delighted in that.

However, the concept of a warm towel to clean your hands took a bit of explaining...

Meanwhile, I was playing many of the online games offered with the media center. (I rocked with Blackjack, however Battleship demonstrated conclusively why a career as a Navy Admiral would have been ill advised).

But both seat areas had ottoman "jump seats" for visitors. If we both sat in ours, the console was a lot less of a problem.

Finally, we arrived at Heathrow in London. Once there, we went through customs (no photos there, security concerns of course). I had already booked tickets on the Heathrow Express, so we took that to get to Paddington, where we took a short cab ride to the hotel.

Having settled in, Amanda and I had a half day to ourselves, so we decided to take a walk around the town. Or, at least, as far as we could before we collapsed from jet lag. We got away for another half day on Sunday.

What follows are various shots from the three days if you have any interest. Click on each to enlarge.