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Home » Continental Airlines » I Gave Up Three Upgrades to Get Back to Frankfurt Two Hours Early
Continental AirlinesUnited Airlines

I Gave Up Three Upgrades to Get Back to Frankfurt Two Hours Early

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 17, 2011 8 Comments

If my colleagues at Star are reading this: take note! I care about getting to work on time.

It has been a draining three days, but my mileage run around the world is near completion: one flight remains.

This morning I arrived in Chicago from Sao Paulo at 0605. My next flight was to Newark and did not depart until 0900. There was, however, a 0700 flight (nothing in-between) that I was determined to make. Dulles has not been good to me lately in terms of delays and I did not want to arrive at Dulles late tonight and face the chance of missing the late flight to Frankfurt or seeing it delayed to a point that would cost me another day of work. Thunderstorms are in the area…

So I rushed through immigration and made it out and up to the train in under ten minutes. I hurried over to Terminal A and slid into the elite security line where a very rude TSA supervisor was not at all happy that I opted out of the full body scanner (more on that in a later post). I had to wait a bit for the patdown, but finally got through the checkpoint at 06:42 and quickly walked down the the Newark gate.

I had to sacrifice my upgrade on the 0900 flight, but I got on the earlier flight and was on my way to Newark in the back of the plane.

My next flight was from Newark to Boston on CO. I was confirmed in business class on the 1330 flight, but squeezed onto the 1105 flight, getting me into Boston just around 12:45 thanks to an ATC delay. The flight was only 40 minutes long so sacrificing the upgrade was not a huge loss.

As I rushed from the Continental terminal to the United terminal at Boston Logan (I was promised a golf cart, but it never showed and I got impatient) I reached for my passport and could not find it. I got to the United 1K counter and had them call over to CO. They had already located the passport where I left it in the seatback pocket and already called my home. The 1K agent who helped me out was great, moving me from the 1900 flight to the 1330 flight to Washington Dulles and telling me to go to the gate and she would get my passport.

I ended up in a middle seat and was one of the last to board. The GA was gate checking every bag, but I slid by her and stuffed my rollerboard under my seat–eliminating all my legroom but saving me a lot of time and hassle at Dulles.

Now I am at Dulles, trying to get on the 1700 flight to Frankfurt so I can be into work at 0700 tomorrow. The matrons are telling me no standby is permitted, but I am confident I will get on the flight.

Oh what a day. Did I mention that my connection in Sao Paulo, Brazil was under one hour?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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8 Comments

  1. Darren Reply
    May 17, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Wow, quite some travels and I’m assuming you made it on the early FRA flight. I don’t know how you go to work straight after getting off the plane, but then again I’m pushing 40 and might have been able to do it in my 20s. Looking forward to reading about your quick connection in Brazil!

  2. Matthew Reply
    May 18, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    And it’s a good thing I did go back early…my flight was an hour late and the next flight to FRA was delayed too. My original flight actually got in early, but 10:41 is nearly two hours late to work!

    More than halfway through the day and holding up well!

  3. Kevincm Reply
    May 18, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Well, you’re devoted to your work. 😉

    Find a coffee machine, and enjoy the remains of the day!

  4. Matthew Reply
    May 18, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    @Kevin: It’s 20:34–I’m going to be early tonight! 😀

  5. Steve Reply
    May 19, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    @Darren Strange, 40 is young and you should be in your prime.

  6. Matthew Reply
    May 19, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    @Steve: I think I am getting too old at 24… 😉

  7. Steve Reply
    May 19, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    Lol Matthew! I am 43 and am better shape than most 20 year olds. Workout 6 days per week, sleep 6 hours per night and hope to still be this way at 73!

    It’s part mindset and also exercise.

  8. Kevin Reply
    May 22, 2011 at 1:27 am

    Matt, I’m glad I’m not the only one that can hop off a plane Monday morning and stroll into the office after traveling on a plane for 18hours in a weekend.

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