Awake: 5:50am Clear Overnight @ Pittsburgh, PA
We eat our complimentary breakfast in the hotel; mostly pastries, bagels,
cereal, coffee & milk. These Microtels are usually located close to an
airport, they are clean, simple, with adequate parking & provide free
shuttle service to the terminal. We leave our traveling clothes in the
Suzuki & take the 9:15am shuttle to the airport.
At the terminal, we use the computer check in system, change our seating
for the better on our long leg from MSP to SEA & go through security. I
was called off to the side for extra screening....I forgot about my belt.
Then with extra time, we casually check out the shopping opportunities in
the secured area & find nothing of interest.
Our Northwest regional CRJ jet is full(50 people). The flight is smooth &
the time goes quickly. We have arranged to meet our ole friends Bob & Mary
Lou during our stopover time in Minnapolis, MN. We told them we would be
landing around 1:15 & should be able to meet them @ the designated
gathering spot @ 1:30. Bob & I have known each other since the mid 60's as
we were in the Air Force Guard together but just don't get together too
often.
Ok so now we are on final approach & our timing is looking good for this
rendezvous with Bob & Mary Lou....and then, and then, the captain makes a
missed approach due to a landing aircraft ahead of us that did not clear
the runway in time. A good 15 min later, the next approach is routine &
the landing smooth....but now our parking spot @ the gate is not ready &
that takes another 10 min. (Flight time PIT to MSP= 2.1 hrs). By the time
we enter the terminal, it's 2:00 & we are at the far end of the longest
terminal I can remember. Even using the moving sidewalk, when you're in a
hurry, it seems to take forever.
Meanwhile what we didn't know: Bob & Mary Lou called & found out that our
arrival time was 1:09pm. Security does not allow parking near the terminal
unless loading or unloading so B & M have been circling in their car for
over an hr when we finally showed up @ the entrance # 6 & they stopped.
They wisk us away in their auto to lunch & talk @ a nice quiet restaurant
& update each other on what's been happening since we've chatted last.
Time
went too quickly on this gathering so we vowed to rendezvous again
sometime in late June. It was a good start on getting caught up with B &
L.
Back to the terminal, and a casual move through security & in position for
our next leg to Seattle. MSP to SEA=3.1 hrs. Nice smooth flight.
Before leaving the SEA terminal, we change our seating for the return trip
on Northwest to Pittsburgh. Then we take bus #194 to downtown Seattle, get
off @ Pike & 4th, walk to 3rd & use our transfer & continue to Broad &
John St. Roll our suitcases for 3 blocks & check into the Quality Inn on
Aurora Ave North. Our room is nice but we are thirsty so we quench that
thirst @ the 5 point Cafe & Bar 3 blocks away before we turn in for the
night.
It was a good day after all. Lights out: 11:45pm
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