Fri, Oct 19   US AIRWAYS, US 0130

From: DENVER, CO (DEN)	Departs:	8:30a

To: PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	1:23p

Mileage: 1300

Flight Time: 2 hours and 53 minutes


 Fri, Oct 19   US AIRWAYS, US 1048

From: PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	2:00p

To: NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)	Arrives:	3:22p

Flight Time:	1 hour and 22 minutes


Fri, Oct 19   US AIRWAYS, US 4881

From: NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)	Departs:	4:29p

To: GREENVILLE SPTNBG, SC (GSP)	Arrives:	6:44p

Mileage: 612

Flight Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Fri, Oct 19   US AIRWAYS, US 5718

From: GREENVILLE SPTNBG, SC (GSP)	Departs:	7:20p

To: CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	8:00p

Mileage: 84

Flight Time: 40 minutes


Fri, Oct 19   US AIRWAYS, US 0172

From: CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	8:55p

To: JACKSONVILLE FL, FL (JAX)	Arrives:	10:11p

Mileage: 334

Flight Time: 1 hour and 16 minutes


Oct. 19 - Friday Hotel Holiday Inn Jacksonville I-95 at Airport Rd Jacksonville FL 32229


Sat, Oct 20   US AIRWAYS, US 1038

From:	JACKSONVILLE FL, FL (JAX)	Departs:	10:09a

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	11:28a

Mileage:	334

Flight Time:	1 hour and 19 minutes


Sat, Oct 20   US AIRWAYS, US 0578

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	1:30p

To:	ATLANTA, GA (ATL)	Arrives:	2:59p

Mileage:	228

Flight Time:	1 hour and 29 minutes


Sat, Oct 20   US AIRWAYS, US 0937

From:	ATLANTA, GA (ATL)	Departs:	3:34p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	5:15p

Mileage:	528

Flight Time:	1 hour and 41 minutes


Sat, Oct 20   US AIRWAYS, US 0153

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	8:55p

To:	PHOENIX, AZ (PHX)	Arrives:	10:21p

Mileage:	1811

Flight Time:	4 hours and 26 minutes


Sat, Oct 20   - Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 0156

From:	PHOENIX, AZ (PHX)	Departs:	10:55p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	5:49a

Mileage:	1811

Flight Time:	3 hours and 54 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 1472

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	9:05a

To:	LOUISVILLE, KY (SDF)	Arrives:	10:26a

Mileage:	335

Flight Time:	1 hour and 21 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 1153

From:	LOUISVILLE, KY (SDF)	Departs:	10:56a

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	12:10p

Mileage:	335

Flight Time:	1 hour and 14 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 2181

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	2:00p

To:	DETROIT METRO, MI (DTW)	Arrives:	3:07p

Mileage:	198

Flight Time:	1 hour and 07 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 0406

From:	DETROIT METRO, MI (DTW)	Departs:	3:37p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	4:39p

Mileage:	198

Flight Time:	1 hour and 02 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   US AIRWAYS, US 0741

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	5:45p

To:	SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SFO)	Arrives:	8:10p

Mileage:	2249

Flight Time:	5 hours and 25 minutes


Sun, Oct 21   -   Mon, Oct 22   US AIRWAYS, US 0112

From:	SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SFO)	Departs:	9:30p

To:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Arrives:	5:39a

Mileage:	2516

Flight Time:	5 hours and 09 minutes


Mon, Oct 22   US AIRWAYS, US 5807

From:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Departs:	8:03a

To:	MILWAUKEE, WI (MKE)	Arrives:	9:12a

Mileage:	689

Flight Time:	2 hours and 09 minutes


Mon, Oct 22   US AIRWAYS, US 0420

From:	MILWAUKEE, WI (MKE)	Departs:	10:30a

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	12:52p

Mileage:	430

Flight Time:	1 hour and 22 minutes


Mon, Oct 22   US AIRWAYS, US 0233

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	3:10p

To:	DALLAS FT WORTH, TX (DFW)	Arrives:	5:02p

Mileage:	1063

Flight Time:	2 hours and 52 minutes


Oct 22 - Monday Hotel Holiday Inn Express DFW-Grapevine 309 State Highway 114 West Grapevine, TX  76051


Tue, Oct 23   US AIRWAYS, US 1440

From:	DALLAS FT WORTH, TX (DFW)	Departs:	7:40a

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	11:01a

Mileage:	930

Flight Time:	2 hours and 21 minutes


Tue, Oct 23   US AIRWAYS, US 1725

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	1:35p

To:	NEW ORLEANS, LA (MSY)	Arrives:	2:31p

Mileage:	645

Flight Time:	1 hour and 56 minutes


Tue, Oct 23   US AIRWAYS, US 0188

From:	NEW ORLEANS, LA (MSY)	Departs:	3:20p

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	6:13p

Mileage:	645

Flight Time:	1 hour and 53 minutes


Tue, Oct 23   US AIRWAYS, US 1729

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	7:25p

To:	COLUMBUS OH, OH (CMH)	Arrives:	8:46p

Mileage:	348

Flight Time:	1 hour and 21 minutes


Oct. 23 - Tuesday Hotel Holiday Inn 460 Waterbury Court Gahanna OH 43230


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 4361

From:	COLUMBUS OH, OH (CMH)	Departs:	6:00a

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	6:59a

Mileage:	145

Flight Time:	59 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 1130

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	7:45a

To:	PROVIDENCE, RI (PVD)	Arrives:	9:13a

Mileage:	466

Flight Time:	1 hour and 28 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 5401

From:	PROVIDENCE, RI (PVD)	Departs:	10:30a

To:	NEWARK, NJ (EWR)	Arrives:	11:45a

Mileage:	149

Flight Time:	1 hour and 15 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US

From:	NEWARK, NJ (EWR)	Departs:	2:10p

To:	BALTIMORE WASHNTN, MD (BWI)	Arrives:	3:25p

Mileage:	179

Flight Time:	1 hour and 15 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 5360

From:	BALTIMORE WASHNTN, MD (BWI)	Departs:	4:05p

To:	CHARLESTON WV, WV (CRW)	Arrives:	5:30p

Mileage:	272

Flight Time:	1 hour and 25 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 3342

From:	CHARLESTON WV, WV (CRW)	Departs:	6:55p

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	8:12p

Mileage:	221

Flight Time:	1 hour and 17 minutes


Wed, Oct 24   US AIRWAYS, US 5835

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	9:10p

To:	JACKSON MS, MS (JAN)	Arrives:	9:59p

Mileage:	570

Flight Time:	1 hour and 49 minutes


Oct. 24 - Wednesday Hotel Holiday Inn 1226 Phillips Street Pearl MS 39208	 	   


Thu, Oct 25   US AIRWAYS, US 5801

From:	JACKSON MS, MS (JAN)	Departs:	6:15a

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	8:55a

Mileage:	570

Flight Time:	1 hour and 40 minutes


Thu, Oct 25   US AIRWAYS, US 0368

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	9:40a

To:	RICHMOND, VA (RIC)	Arrives:	10:49a

Mileage:	257

Flight Time:	1 hour and 09 minutes


Thu, Oct 25   US AIRWAYS, US 0855

From:	RICHMOND, VA (RIC)	Departs:	11:46a

To:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Arrives:	12:45p

Flight Time:	59 minutes


Thu, Oct 25   -   Fri, Oct 26   US AIRWAYS, US 0098

From:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Departs:	5:55p

To:	LONDON GATWICK, UNITED KINGDOM (LGW)	Arrives:	5:55a

Mileage:	3546

Flight Time:	7 hours


Fri, Oct 26   US AIRWAYS, US 0099

From:	LONDON GATWICK, UNITED KINGDOM (LGW)	Departs:	12:15p

To:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Arrives:	3:35p

Mileage:	3546

Flight Time:	8 hours and 20 minutes


Fri, Oct 26   US AIRWAYS, US 0591

From:	PHILADELPHIA, PA (PHL)	Departs:	5:35p

To:	MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP)	Arrives:	7:30p

Mileage:	978

Flight Time:	2 hours and 55 minutes


Oct. 26 - Friday Hotel Crowne Plaza 618 Second Ave Minneapolis MN 55402


Sat, Oct 27   US AIRWAYS, US 0585

From:	MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP)	Departs:	11:14a

To:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Arrives:	2:32p

Mileage:	930

Flight Time:	2 hours and 18 minutes


Sat, Oct 27   US AIRWAYS, US 1173

From:	CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)	Departs:	3:15p

To:	CHICAGO OHARE, IL (ORD)	Arrives:	4:13p

Mileage:	590

Flight Time:	1 hour and 58 minutes


Sat, Oct 27   US AIRWAYS, US 1156

From:	CHICAGO OHARE, IL (ORD)	Departs:	6:44p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	9:12p

Mileage:	403

Flight Time:	1 hour and 28 minutes


Sat, Oct 27   US AIRWAYS, US 1194

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	10:30p

To:	BURLINGTON VT, VT (BTV)	Arrives:	11:53p

Mileage:	453

Flight Time:	1 hour and 23 minutes


Oct 27 - Saturday Hoilday Inn 1712 Shelburne Rd South Burlinton  VT 05403


Sun, Oct 28   US AIRWAYS, US 3691

From:	BURLINGTON VT, VT (BTV)	Departs:	7:00a

To:	BOSTON, MA (BOS)	Arrives:	8:10a

Mileage:	181

Flight Time:	1 hour and 10 minutes


Sun, Oct 28   US AIRWAYS, US 6807

From:	BOSTON, MA (BOS)	Departs:	9:00a

To:	NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)	Arrives:	10:21a

Mileage:	191

Flight Time:	1 hour and 21 minutes


Sun, Oct 28   US AIRWAYS, US 3728

From:	NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)	Departs:	11:00a

To:	PORTLAND ME, ME (PWM)	Arrives:	12:35p

Mileage:	277

Flight Time:	1 hour and 35 minutes


Sun, Oct 28   US AIRWAYS, US 0856

From:	PORTLAND ME, ME (PWM)	Departs:	1:45p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	3:27p

Mileage:	554

Flight Time:	1 hour and 42 minutes


Sun, Oct 28   US AIRWAYS, US 0115

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	6:05p

To:	SEATTLE TACOMA, WA (SEA)	Arrives:	8:16p

Mileage:	2119

Flight Time:	5 hours and 11 minutes


Sun, Oct 28   -   Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 0110

From:	SEATTLE TACOMA, WA (SEA)	Departs:	10:50p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	6:12a

Flight Time:	4 hours and 22 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 1162

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	8:00a

To:	HARTFORD SPRNGFLD, CT (BDL)	Arrives:	9:25a

Mileage:	405

Flight Time:	1 hour and 25 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 1832

From:	HARTFORD SPRNGFLD, CT (BDL)	Departs:	12:00n

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	1:28p

Mileage:	405

Flight Time:	1 hour and 28 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 5875

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	2:30p

To:	OMAHA, NE (OMA)	Arrives:	4:00p

Mileage:	826

Flight Time:	2 hours and 30 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 5690

From:	OMAHA, NE (OMA)	Departs:	5:05p

To:	KANSAS CITY INTL, MO (MCI)	Arrives:	5:55p

Mileage:	152

Flight Time:	50 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 5651

From:	KANSAS CITY INTL, MO (MCI)	Departs:	6:30p

To:	TOPEKA FOE, KS (FOE)	Arrives:	7:00p

Mileage:	51

Flight Time:	30 minutes


Mon, Oct 29   US AIRWAYS, US 5696

From:	TOPEKA FOE, KS (FOE)	Departs:	8:40p

To:	KANSAS CITY INTL, MO (MCI)	Arrives:	9:10p

Mileage:	51

Flight Time:	30 minutes


Oct. 29 - Monday Hotel Holiday Inn Kansas City - International Airport 11832 Plaza Circle Kansas City, MO  64153


Tue, Oct 30   US AIRWAYS, US 5686

From:	KANSAS CITY INTL, MO (MCI)	Departs:	7:20a

To:	CEDR RPDS IOWA CY, IA (CID)	Arrives:	8:25a

Mileage:	239

Flight Time:	1 hour and 05 minutes


Tue, Oct 30   US AIRWAYS, US 5272

From:	CEDR RPDS IOWA CY, IA (CID)	Departs:	10:35a

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	1:20p

Mileage:	607

Flight Time:	1 hour and 45 minutes


Tue, Oct 30   US AIRWAYS, US 0512

From:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Departs:	2:05p

To:	WASHINGTON REAGAN, DC (DCA)	Arrives:	3:04p

Mileage:	194

Flight Time:	59 minutes


Oct. 30 - Tuesday Hotel Holiday Inn Select 480 King Street Alexandria, VA  22314


Wed, Oct 31   US AIRWAYS, US 6502   Check Gate Info

From:    WASHINGTON REAGAN, DC (DCA)    Departs:    7:00a

To:    NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)    Arrives:    8:05a

Mileage:    215

Flight Time:    1 hour and 05 minutes


Wed, Oct 31   US AIRWAYS, US 1979   Check Gate Info

From:    NEW YORK LGA, NY (LGA)    Departs:    8:55a

To:    NASSAU, BAHAMAS (NAS)    Arrives:    12:17p

Mileage:    1099

Flight Time:    3 hours and 22 minutes


Wed, Oct 31   US AIRWAYS, US 0631   Check Gate Info

From:    NASSAU, BAHAMAS (NAS)    Departs:    2:50p

To:    CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)    Arrives:    5:05p

Mileage:    734

Flight Time:    2 hours and 15 minutes


Wed, Oct 31   US AIRWAYS, US 0615   Check Gate Info

From:    CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)    Departs:    7:10p

To:    LAS VEGAS, NV (LAS)    Arrives:    8:50p

Mileage:    1913

Flight Time:    4 hours and 40 minutes


Wed, Oct 31   -   Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 0606   Check Gate Info

From:    LAS VEGAS, NV (LAS)    Departs:    10:05p

To:    CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)    Arrives:    5:12a

Mileage:    1913

Flight Time:    4 hours and 07 minutes


Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 0253   Check Gate Info

From:    CHARLOTTE, NC (CLT)    Departs:    8:05a

To:    BIRMINGHAM AL, AL (BHM)    Arrives:    8:24a

Mileage:    351

Flight Time:    1 hour and 19 minutes


Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 5270   Check Gate Info

From:    BIRMINGHAM AL, AL (BHM)    Departs:    10:45a

To:    PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)    Arrives:    1:30p

Mileage:    599

Flight Time:    1 hour and 45 minutes


Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 0132   Check Gate Info

From:    PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)    Departs:    4:10p

To:    MANCHESTER NH, NH (MHT)    Arrives:    5:39p

Mileage:    484

Flight Time:    1 hour and 29 minutes


Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 0153   Check Gate Info

From:    MANCHESTER NH, NH (MHT)    Departs:    6:15p

To:    PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)    Arrives:    7:56p

Mileage:    484

Flight Time:    1 hour and 41 minutes


Thu, Nov 1   US AIRWAYS, US 5299   Check Gate Info

From:    PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)    Departs:    8:45p

To:    LITTLE ROCK, AR (LIT)    Arrives:    10:10p

Mileage:    768

Flight Time:    2 hours and 25 minutes


Nov. 1 - Thursday Holiday Inn 3201 Bankhead Dr Little Rock AR 72206


Fri, Nov 2   US AIRWAYS, US 5600

From:	LITTLE ROCK, AR (LIT)	Departs:	6:25a

To:	NASHVILLE, TN (BNA)	Arrives:	7:50a

Mileage:	328

Flight Time:	1 hour and 25 minutes


Fri, Nov 2   US AIRWAYS, US 4309

From:	NASHVILLE, TN (BNA)	Departs:	9:21a

To:	INDIANAPOLIS, IN (IND)	Arrives:	11:41a

Mileage:	250

Flight Time:	1 hour and 20 minutes


Fri, Nov 2   US AIRWAYS, US 4309

From:	INDIANAPOLIS, IN (IND)	Departs:	12:19p

To:	TORONTO ON, CANADA (YYZ)	Arrives:	2:29p

Mileage:	442

Flight Time:	2 hours and 10 minutes


Fri, Nov 2   US AIRWAYS, US 1471

From: TORONTO ON, CANADA (YYZ)	Departs:	3:55p

To:	PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)	Arrives:	5:04p

Mileage: 222

Flight Time: 1 hour and 09 minutes


Fri, Nov 2   US AIRWAYS, US 0049

From: PITTSBURGH, PA (PIT)    Departs:    6:00p

To: LOS ANGELES, CA (LAX)    Arrives:    8:11p

Mileage: 2130

Flight Time: 5 hours and 11 minutes


Nov. 2 - Friday Holiday Inn La International Airport 9901 La Cienega  Blvd Los Angeles Ca 90045

Well, time has come to spread some wings. While the travel industry has started to come back, the 20%+ of business not yet back is a real concern for airlines and hotels. Some think it’s safety, some from extended mourning of the events of 9/11 and others because of the economy. Whatever it is, it’s time to get out and see what flying is like in America and other parts of the world right now. While some of the folks who visit FlyerTalk.com on a regular basis have become familiar with the term ‘mileage run’, there’s probably much of America that still doesn’t know some of us just get on airplanes to fly around – all in the happy pursuit of those darn frequent flyer miles. Last year I trekked through a few dozen airports in Latin, Central and South America with a few fellow frequent flyers all in pursuit of that prize called the ‘LatinPass Run’. Earned a million mile bonus for that and the 3 1/2 days we flew close to non-stop was seen as a sure sign that we had spent so much time as frequent flyers that we had lost touch with reality. Well, flying three or four days is not unusual for those of you who earn your living much of the time at 33,000 feet. So, I decided to urge America to Come Fly With Me as we discover all the reasons for you to get back on an airplane and stay in hotels. While flying great distances is relatively easy for all us long haul guys and gals, flying great distances on a short-haul carrier makes a whole lot of difference. So, I chose US Airways to Come Fly With Me. As an airline that is as affected by recent events as anyone, they are also an airline that covers plenty of those hour-long flights. And when I’m not flying, I’m going to need a place to occasionally call “home.” Welcome Holiday Inn. As a member of their Priority Club who already has some 350,000 points with them, I figure if I play my sleep time right with them, I’ll just have enough stays to re-qualify for Platinum status. So come along, let’s look at America in transit and discover together why it is possible to fly safely right now.

With an 8:30 a.m. start on this venture from Denver International Airport, I figured I better be there a few hours in advance. I had heard stories of 2-4 hour waits for security and also that things were back to normal. Since I couldn’t risk it, I opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Express at the Denver Airport the night before. Arriving just after midnight (yep, just like you, a long day at the office) I was greeted with a sign from Airport officials saying passengers are advised to arrive 3-6 hours in advance of flight time. Was this a new poster I thought or a left over from mid-September. No security could take that long could it? That thought lingered in the back of my mind as I hoisted my bag and strolled up to the front desk. With my Priority Club Gold card in hand, I’m ready for a good night’s sleep. The young kid at the front desk was beaming with enthusiasm as I was started to wind down when presenting all my credentials. I think he said, “We have your reservation, but we are faced with a sold out situation tonight for your requested ‘King Size bed, non-smoking, near the elevator.” I had noticed the parking lot was full. That news was just starting to sink in when he went on to say, “So I hope you don’t mind if we put you in a smoking room with a Jacuzzi Suite.” Being humble and real tired I said that any bed was sounding good about now. He did assure me he had just deodorized the room personally and that’s good enough for me. So with room card in hand, off I trek down the hallway. This room is the size of Texas and indeed has a Jacuzzi in the room, not in the bathroom. But this is Good/Bad. Good situation to be in, bad timing. I don’t know about you but every time I luck out and get a great upgrade, it’s when I check in very late and need to get up early, never being able to fully appreciate it. So as I call downstairs for the 5:30 wake-up, I see the bedside clock read 1:17 am as I doze off.

I’m ready and after a quick morning ritual, head off for the airport, arriving a full 2+ hours in advance of flight time. When the US Airways check-in agent looks over my license, she pulls up my reservation and after a second she scratches her head and goes to get another agent, pointing out something on my screen. After another few minutes of moving screens around she looks at me and with a little grin on her face says, “Mr. Petersen, I’m not a travel agent but I believe I can get you to Jacksonville by a more direct route.” We both start to laugh as I reply. “Probably so, but you know us frequent flyers, always trying to fly more miles. Let’s just leave it as it is.” And to the ticketing process she goes. With new carry-on rules, I decide to check my bag and as she goes about listing the five segments onto the baggage tag she turns again to me and says, “That’s a lot of short connections and if you don’t mind a suggestion, would you consider taking the bag with you? I think you’ll feel better about the bag finally landing with you.” Good point as it’s asking an airline a lot to make all those moves. I point out my small computer backpack and she assures me that fits the profile of being “personal” and I’m OK to take both on board. So with 5 boarding passes, I’m off to face security. So far, so good and while I forgot the name of the lady who checked me in – she did provide me with a smile on my face. A direct flight, what’s that?

I turn the corner with my bags in hand heading for the x-ray machines. But when I arrive where I think they are I’m met by a mass of humanity. Spread out in lines that snake forever are my fellow flyers. After the shock sets in, I decide to use an old trick I know. I’ll just screen through at the other terminal, terminal A. There I’m greeted with a request for my driver’s license and my ticket. License gets a close inspection but ticket doesn’t pass. Apparently DIA authorities have decided that only those passengers actually flying from terminal A can use this shortcut. That’s not good news as I look forward to a much shorter line in the distance. So, back to find the end of my fate. The end must be around here somewhere. Walking what seems like the length of Mile High stadium (sorry Invesco Field), I find the end and join ranks with others. United 1K members both front and back bracket me and we quickly strike up conversations. Yes, they all have come to hate DIA. The security lines are always long and both people have missed flights because of it. Well, my turn to find out. A good two hours later I am through screening which, while more thorough than in the past, is not a big deal. Along the wait I learn a few things. First, have a plan for bathrooms. If traveling solo you are going to have to rely on getting friendly with other passengers to hold your place should nature call. While the airport authorities might cringe at the thought that you would leave your bags in place as you scurry off to find the men’s and women’s signs, there’s really not much choice. My 1K friends watch things as I leave and return. Also, after a few minutes of playing ‘kick the bag,’ I decide the constant effort of moving my luggage along this line is too much effort, so you might do what I did, excuse myself and pay to rent a ‘SmartCarte.’ For the $2 it cost me, I am able to nudge along my two bags with no effort. In fact, all my newfound friends hang their stuff off the cart and we’re now family. Throughout my time in line I hear others voice their distaste for this line at Denver International. And it did me no good as we got closer to see the days’ headlines on a newspaper stand from the Rocky Mountain News, “DIA Travelers Near Breaking Point.” I can see why. Also, there were two long lines for me to choose from which I did at random. After 1 1/2 hours I was within sighting distance of the x-ray machines and noticed the other line nearby and a sign for the first time. The other line was for ‘Express’ – people with no carry on or laptops, etc. I did notice many people in that line who had carry on bags not knowing that rule until it was too late. Security was flagging them and pointing them in our direction, surely an argument or two broke out from the lost time in the wrong line. Other than the fact that DIA was using only 4 of the possible 6 machines to pass people through security (gee, apparently they have decided to cut back on payroll as well given the fragile economy) I got through and on to my gate, checking and rechecking my watch every 30 seconds as flight time approached. I see that checking your watch is a very popular habit as we get closer, apparently everyone is worrying about making his or her flight. Let’s be honest here, the actual security procedure is fine, just follow good sense and you will be OK. It is important to be ready to have your bag checked at any time. The train approaches the concourse and stops for me. I along with a dozen others bolt out the door and run at full speed up the escalator and we all disappear in different directions. Trust me, we weren’t training for the next summer Olympics but there was some record speed coming out of those train cars. As far as I know, we all made our flights. Let’s be honest here, Denver International is a problem. There is no excuse to not have all their x-tray and other machines fully staffed. Connecting through is fine, but starting from there is no fun. After this airport opened in 1995 with national attention for its baggage delivery problems, it seems to be seeking national headlines for other problems. According to the Rocky Mountain News, they already have the local attention. Now, let’s see what flying is like.

Honestly, while much of the media talk about the aloof nature of passengers because of security concerns, this flight is as normal as any of the almost 1,000 flights I’ve enjoyed (OK, some I didn’t enjoy) in the last 16 years. As we arrive into the airport in Pittsburgh around 2 p.m., the only danger I’m in is from starving to death. Because of the long security line at Denver, I wasn’t able to enjoy a Cinna-Bon or bagel and am running on water right now. With food service cutbacks, there’s every chance my long awaited diet plan is kicking in. My LaGuardia connection in Pittsburgh is pretty tight and with long lines at the few food service facilities there, I’m back in the air…at least a half-pound lighter. The New York flight is again like any other. I spend a few minutes eavesdropping on a guy seated across from me with a Big Daddy Records jacket on and his cell phone bill getting larger by the minute. From the sound of the conversation, he’s trying to sign some new rap star somewhere. In the row in front of me sit three ladies on their way to a nursing convention and in my row I’m three across with an elderly couple off to see the grand kids in Myrtle Beach. All my seatmates are comfortable flying, and they say so. I now realize that the most important item along on this trip is not my airport lounge membership card, but my driver’s license. American Express may have invented the marketing slogan for their credit card a few years back that says, “Don’t leave home without it,” but I’m convinced that the Department of Motor Vehicle should acquire that slogan and brand it everywhere. I’ve barely started this trip and have shown my license 6 times. I feel sorry for those of you who don’t like your picture on your license because you have to show it to all kinds of people. Yes, they’ll forget you after a while, but you still hate that picture. As for getting back to normal, I’m 2-for-2 in getting a seating assignment sitting three across. Hey, someone’s flying out here. But I have a tip for you all. I noticed on the way back to coach that there were several empty first class seats. Since I know that in the top tier of the US Airways Dividend Miles program they give you unlimited first class upgrades, if you’re having any problems being spoiled at one of the other airlines, I think US Airways has an upgrade just for you. Nope, not a commercial, just an envious observation.

Checking voice mail I have my usual dozens of messages for the hour. The one that stands out is from one of my sisters. Hearing of this trip, she has some natural concerns. Like many who don’t fly very often, she’s worried for me. When I can I’ll surely call her up and make sure she knows just what I see and feel – I’m fine to fly.

As the plane is boarding, one of the nurses in front of me asks the flight attendant for a cup of ice. The request was greeted with a smile and soon she was asking anyone else in the area if they wanted anything. A few of them asked for soda and all were served. This type of service before takeoff doesn’t happen very often and it did catch my attention. After the nurse got her cup of ice, she then grabbed the barf bag in the seat back. I’m left wondering if she collects them or if I need to start worrying. As we take off her nurse friends are providing the attention and encouragement she needs….. thank them. Gee, it’s just the second flight and already I’m starting to memorize the videos they play on each flight. Go ahead; test me on where US Airways will soon be flying in the Caribbean. Near starvation, I can’t wait for the beverage cart to near and I ask if I could have an extra ‘Sky Mix.’ My first nourishment for the day and I’m starting to come back to life.

As the flight heads south over the ‘Sandy Hook’ part of New Jersey, I know what’s coming up and excuse myself to find an empty window seat a few rows back (I was on the aisle). We make the turn and start up the Hudson River toward LaGuardia to land. As we pass the site of the World Trade Center off the right wing, there is not a passenger on the plane who is not straining in their seatbelt or simply getting out of their seat to look at what wasn’t there. And while it might have been my imagination, I’m sure that the pilot dipped his right wing to honor those who we can’t see anymore as the site of the World Trade Center passed below. I did not have to look around the plane to know that we all shed another tear for the image we now saw. Later I wonder if a few years from now when I and other frequent flyers will have repeated other landings into New York dozens more times – will that moment I just experienced off the right wing ever change? Honestly, I don’t think so.

Time to face New York and my next connection but the good news is that as we land I noticed that the nurse in front of me was gently re-folding her barf bag and putting it back in the seat back (empty). Well, I’ve got my first ‘Where’s Randy’ contact. As I depart the US Airways flight at LGA looking for my connection to Greenville/Spartanberg I run into Tim and Erin. Actually, they run into me and make a good day better. Just so happens they work for US Airways and identified me from the mileage run. So with a photo opportunity, we enjoy the moment and I take on a special gift. A new wardrobe. With cap, collared shirt and t-shirt from usairways.com, I’m ready for a few more days of laundry denial. They also come bearing a special gift – i have the first button to be worn by a passenger for their upcoming new program called ‘I Fly The Flag.’ Later as I’m waiting for the next flight I’m approached again and have to give away one of my special FlyerTalk tags for luggage. Another traveler standing near by gets sucked into our conversation and himself being a 30+ trip a year guy who does – of all things – art restoration, tells the two of us that he’s just now getting back into traveling and really has no regrets. He doesn’t feel safety is a concern.