ABOARD NORTHWEST FLIGHT 25 SOMEWHERE OVER CANADA (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, 6:20 p.m. CDT) – Now that’s one hell of a dateline, don’t you think?
It may not be Associated Press style (sorry, folks, but I left my AP Stylebook at home), but it certainly gives you an idea of where we are at this precise minute. Well, almost.
I don’t have access to the cockpit, so the fact is I don’t really know where I’m at. I can only rely on a giant map that flashes periodically on the screen in the cabin indicating we are still in North America.
So, because I have practically little to do for the next, oh, eight more hours on this specific flight, I thought I’d share a few observations of our travels so far (in between some severe turbulence we just experienced).
NORTHWEST FLIGHT 2970 (Jackson, Miss.-Detroit)
Could it be that Northwest Airlines read my blog from our March-April 2006 trip in which I roundly criticized the airline for their customer service, or lack of thereof. It was horrible.
But today, our trip to China began on a bright note with a relatively quick, two-hour flight on a Pinnacle jet. Although incredibly cramped with no leg or arm room, the flight attendant was pleasant and helpful.
While waiting to board the flight, several Republican state legislators passed by on their way to a meeting in Chicago, I believe. Among them was state Sen. Videt Carmichael of Meridian, father of Fredie Carmichael, editor of The Meridian Star and a close friend of mine.
I also bumped into former Congressman Ronnie Shows, who was headed to a meeting in Washington. Congressman Shows is always great to talk with and offers good insight into the latest political scene.
NORTHWEST FLIGHT 25 (Detroit-Tokyo)
This is the monster flight, the one that never seems to end, the one that lasts for a whopping 14 hours (ouch).
But so far, about a third into the flight, things are working well. Pam and I lucked out and have an empty seat between us, allowing us to spread out slightly.
We’ve been served one snack shortly after take off and ate dinner a couple of hours ago. Again, the good folks at Northwest must have heard my criticisms because the dinner was actually pretty good.
We started with a simple appetizer of three steamed shrimp accompanied by cocktail sauce in a squeezable plastic pouch. A small lettuce, tomato and cucumber salad followed, topped with Creamy Italian also from a small squeezable plastic pouch.
Then it was the main course: Chicken covered in soy sauce with steamed rice and shredded carrots. It was surprisingly good and no doubt a better choice than the alternate: Braised beef with barbecue sauce, roasted potatoes and veggies.
Our lavish in-flight dinner was topped off with four prepackaged Oreo cookies.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA
Sit. Sit again. Sit some more. Get up and walk around the cabin. Sit again. Walk again. Eat an unknown snack midway through the flight. Sit again. Walk. Sit. And then eat breakfast.
Here’s an interesting tidbit: We are set to arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at 5:05 p.m. (we might arrive a bit late because we left Detroit late) yet we will be served breakfast a couple of hours before we arrive.
Anyway, our menu offers us two choices: Swiss cheese omelet, seasoned potatoes and pork sausage links – or – fried rice with teriyaki chicken. Both are served with fresh fruit, muffin and orange juice.
Just the thought of it has my taste buds ready. Frankly, though I’m leaning toward the fried rice dish. We’ll see, though.
That’s not all: On our four-hour flight from Tokyo to Beijing I believe we have another meal. Details on that one will have to come in a later post, though.
Well, I have much sitting left to do so I better get busy.
Copyright 2008 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
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