Post 25.1: Departure for Seattle (LAX-SEA: AS 477)

Here's how we got from LA to Seattle by 9:00 a.m.:

3:30 AM / Wake up
4:00 AM / Standing in driveway... waiting for Jess to pick us up
4:15 AM / Wake Jessica up because she didn't hear her alarm

4:20 AM / Text Connie and Duke just in case they didn't hear their alarms...
4:21 AM / Confirmation... Connie is awake
4:22 AM / Confirmation... Duke is also awake

4:23 AM / Text Diana... supposed to be at my house 10 minutes ago... is she asleep too?
4:24 AM / Text from Diana... "will be there soon"
4:25 AM / Diana arrives within one minute

4:30 AM / Jessica's Accord screeches into my driveway
5:15 AM / Arrive LAX (nice driving, Jess)
5:16 AM / Find Connie inside

5:20 a.m.  LAX Terminal 3.  Waiting for Duke.

Facing the emptiness.  It's actually quite crowded behind me.

5:25 a.m.  Saving time and money.

The four of us consolidate our liquids into one bag for check-in.  $15.  Smart.

5:50 a.m.  Man in front of me reads Chinese newspaper.

I am amused.

5:55 a.m.  Say hello to the Alaskan native.

A plane takes off in the background.

5:59 a.m.  Push back from the gate.

Hello VX planes.  See you on the return flight!

6:00 a.m.  Taxi to the runway.

The air traffic control tower and iconic Theme Building sit behind.

6:05 a.m.  Take off.

As we barrel down the runway, a Qantas flight touches down on the adjacent runway.

6:05 a.m.  The wheels lift off the ground.

QF 25 from Auckland comes to a stop just as we lift off.

6:06 a.m.  I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Flying Up in the Air.

6:06 a.m.  Where ocean meets the sky...

About to turn North by Northwest towards Seattle.

6:07 a.m.  Bye, bye, bye...

Our Airplane! was a Boeing 737-900.  I was hoping to fly in this.

7:00 a.m.  Would you like a snack? I sure would!

Party mix and real tomato juice for a change.

8:55 a.m.  Wings extend to the fullest for landing.

I love how the mini jet stream flies between the flaps.

9:06 a.m.  Welcome to SEA: Seattle/Tacoma Int'l.  Rain.

In the back sits an NWA jet that has yet to be painted with Delta livery.

While we were waiting to de-board the plane, some passengers had to be taken away by security because they threatened the flight attendant.  Smart.  All because a passenger stepped on another passenger's foot.  Real smart.  Props to the Alaska Airlines FA who picked up the screaming baby and walked it up and down the aisle.  Super props.

To be continued.  Until then, get S.O.F.A.T.

ML - 20100624/20100529