Read any message board and someone always chimes in with “I don’t fly – it’s better just to drive everywhere.” I surmise these people have unlimited free time, don’t live out west where cities are 600 miles apart, have no interest in foreign travel, and have no worries about falling asleep midpoint into their 16 hour drive and smashing themselves into a bridge abutment.

I love a good road trip. But I also enjoy hanging out at airports, especially my home in Denver, a well designed facility where open space abound, power outlets and internet are free and and easy to find. With technology today I can accomplish the same tasks as I’d be doing at home. I can VNC into work, edit my photos, read, watch a movie, post inane updates on Facebook – all while sitting at the airport. It’s the same thing I’d do Saturday morning at a coffee shop – while watching jumbo jets rumble around the ramps.

And I get to fly. On almost every flight there’s a least one moment where I’ve been thrilled and amazed at the view, at the fact I’m floating through the air, and at the technology that makes it all happen. I can still recall a flight in the late 90s on a Northwest DC-10 into LAX doing some holding patterns through the most incredible cloud canyons I’ve ever seen. It was like an Imax movie. Or recently witnessing an amazing left seat view of the New York City skyline during a nighttime glide into LaGuardia.

This recent flight wasn’t a special flight to somewhere exotic, rather just another Southern California weekend I’ve made dozens of times to see friends and family. In addition to finally making an upgrade (thanks due to my 2010 mileage total) this was an exceptionally beautiful trip. Certain westbound departures out of Denver climb straight up along I-70 over the Rockies, and the morning flights are spectacular. In 25 minutes you go from the eastern plains, over the downtown skyline on the left, then see the rolling foothills morph in the an endless sea of jagged snow covered peaks. For an infrequent flyer out west it’s an amazing sight. For myself who calls Colorado home it’s simply neat to spot regular landmarks like I-70, the switchbacks of US-40 to Winter Park, a completely out of place casino highrise in a canyon that looks like a train set model, and the ski resorts of Copper Mountain and Vail. Someone watching me peer out the window and taking pictures might have thought it was my first time in an airplane.

I wonder why it’s lost on so many people how amazing it is one can wake up in in the Rockies and be laying on the beach by noon, taking in the Pacific ocean. Or cross an ocean in one night. I suppose I’m easy to impress. Or equally I’m appreciate of the marvel of mankind that makes it happen – even while crammed in coach.

If you set out expecting a negative experience, you’ll more than likely find one. But if take a moment to actually breath in what you’re doing and you might find yourself feeling like you did the first time you flew.

If the below photos don’t make you want to pick a window seat on your next trip then take a read from Captain Dave’s blog - who puts the beauty of air travel into eloquent words. It’s a favorite of mine..

I was enjoying lunch at the Paradise Cafe at about 11am, sitting near the Crocs store/kiosk. For 15 minutes I didn’t witness a single person manning the kiosk or checking up on the place – not a SOLE in sight. Thank you. Thank you.

I’ve never worn Crocs, nor do I have anything against them. Just thought it was interesting given their business stories over the past year.

I’ve passed by this sculpture a few times by daylight, but at 30 feet tall with beady shiny red eyes this certainly makes an impression at night.  Yikes.

Photo from this March Rocky Mountain News blog entry.

In less seizure inducing (old) news, this snazzy new tourist office opened this spring, and greets arrivals opposite the big fountain in the main terminal.  Clean lines, good lighting, and more helpful and welcoming than a brochure rack.   I was there at 11:30pm and they were still open!  Even better it doesn’t frighten children.

More current: The Fastracks “A” line (downtown/airport) alignment and stations have been revised. Check out the updated map at this RMN article, and see info on how to make your opinion heard. The title of my blog suggests I won’t be riding it regularly when it opens in 2014. But that’s a long way off…

Were you wondering what’s new at Watercourse Foods?  I’ll be visiting this week with my gluton-free, non wheat or dairy eating mom. She’s never been to Watercourse or City O’ City and I’m looking forward to surprising her!

Yesterday morning we set out to the airport in a non-rushed mood, not needing to depart to Los Angles until 11:20am. I didn’t want to make coffee at home, figuring we’d stop on the way. By the time I realized we had passed 12th Avenue (coffee options for Daz Bog and Under the Umbrella,) we were already driving east on 14th to Colorado, my standard route to the airport. I expressed my coffee concerns to Michael, our friend driving us and also house sitting, that it was already 9am and I hadn’t had any coffee yet, however my verbal fritterings were drowned out by Pink.

We turned north on Colorado Boulevard and planned to stop at the McDonald’s at 35th and Colorado. “No problem” I thought, I can get coffee there. I had heard McDonald’s had some fancy new brew so why not. We pulled into McDonald’s and were about to enter – but then the three of us realized that in addition to being completely mobbed, McDonald’s food is also disgusting. We saw the Church’s Chicken across the street and Michael, being an Alabama native, assured me that they were indeed open breakfast hours. Fried chicken and biscuits – yes a fun and unique breakfast. However they were not serving coffee. Crap.

Already being 9:45 I didn’t want to make another stop, and other than a gas station there’s no coffee shop between 40th Avenue and interstate 70. Oh well, I can get Starbucks in the airport. Michael dropped us off and we gave our appreciation for the ride. A LOT of appreciation for not having to park, walk, or park and take a shuttle during the holidays. Having checked in online we headed to security to catch our American Airlines flight to Los Angeles.

Here’s a tip next time you’re departing Denver International: The north and south security screenings are located in the main terminal “tent” building, and both checkpoints lead down to the concourse tram. However these two enormous collective checkpoints feature an insane number of roped-off switchbacks. By the time you arrive at security you feel like a mountain goat with vertigo and ready to just jump off and end it all. I usually check in online and don’t have luggage, so I immediately head to the north end of level 6. From here I can then look down and see how bad the lines are, OR, walk north through a 3rd and smaller security screening leading to the “A” gates. (Signed: Bridge to A Gates.) Provided Frontier Airlines doesn’t have a large batch of flights departing this security checkpoint USUALLY has short lines, and it’s a simple line rather than the series of switchbacks. After clearing security you walk over a sleek bridge and arrive at the “A” gates, or take the elevators down the train which will go to the “B” and “C” gates. It’s a bit more walking, but you avoid the masses (pictured left,) and have a less chaotic security experience before a quiet walk over this bridge to your gates (pictured right)

Back to the story: I arrive at gate C39 via my method above. Caleb checked out the airport’s finally free WiFi, and I started to hunt down some brew. Yes I know what you’re thinking: it’s just south of 11am and I STILL have not had coffee yet. The line at Einsteins leads to infinity, so I opt for TCBY’s coffee. I walked back to my seat on the floor and had a few sips of the rancid brew.

We boarded the MD-80 and got settled in. I’m not exactly sure why these are called “Super MD80s.” “Functional and adequate” would be a better term. I do like the “two seat” sections. Perfect for traveling with a companion. Having spilled while getting seated one too many times I threw away my coffee at the gate, and figured I’d wait until we’re airborne to relax and fill up. We depart over Denver and the majestic snow covered Rockies enters into view. No window shade should ever be shut departing over the Rockies. It’s one of the most beautiful views on earth with brilliant white snow and sharp jagged treelines. On clear days you can even see the runs at Summit County ski resorts. I’m relaxed and content as the flight attendants make their way down the isle. This is where things all go to Bush:

The coffee maker on board was broken. Panic time! The FA was sincere and apologetic, and I kept my composure as I analyzed the situation in my head. I instinctively ordered a Diet Coke as I started jotting down some options. The route from Denver to Los Angeles as expected goes southwest over the four corners area, straddling Utah and Arizona until entering California near Needles and arriving over the San Gabriel Mountains. Being a small time private pilot and aviation buff I’m familiar with most airports in the southwest and told the flight attendant I’d like to speak with the captain so we could work out a plan that would be least disruptive. I didn’t want to upset the flight attendant by telling her she SHOULD have just borrowed some coffee from the Dallas arrival that had pulled up minutes before we left – and we were airborne now. (With NO coffee on board.) What should we do?

My two options were Grand Junction’s Walker Field, or Durango, Colorado. Both of these airports on the western plateaus of Colorado have long runways and can easily handle an MD80. We could land, get coffee, and easily depart – again with minimal disruption to crew and passengers.

I was informed that the captain was busy “flying the plane,” but she would pass my suggestion (scratched on a napkin and some Spanish homework) to him. Unfortunately as we passed between Shiprock and Blanding, Utah I realized my ideas had been completely ignored. I reminded her again about our imminent situation but only got lines about “taking my seat,” and “safety threat.” It was 12:30 and I had only imbibed a few scant sips of coffee since waking up. Again – not trying to be selfish, I suggested we land at Laughlin. (Hence avoid the traffic into Las Vegas.) Now, obviously straight out of the book the FAs come back with serious toned remarks about “detainment upon arrival.” and “federal crimes this and that…” I felt just like Jodie Foster on Flight Plan*. Why wouldn’t anyone take me seriously? As a burly lumberjack of a guy stood up and said, “Do you need some assistance ma’am?” I snapped my finger and said “okay Guantanamo” then sulkingly took my seat. I certainly didn’t want to wind up on the AA blacklist like Joel and Victoria Osteen. I had no choice but to forgo coffee for the duration of the flight. Yes it appears we were barreling towards LAX – a full two hours and thirty minute flight sans coffee.

We landed at LAX and taxied around the dilapidated Tom Bradley International Terminal to the American Terminal. Also I didn’t realize the Tom Bradley Terminal had so many remote gates to the west side. So not only do international travelers depart or arrive from an airport that’s third world in chaos and infrastructure, some are also sardined into a bus just to board the plane.

We deplaned and walked outside into the tube of traffic and noise that is the LAX arrivals level. We were picked up shortly thereafter, and whisked off to a well needed lunch at In-N-Out. Great burgers and fries, but alas: They also lacked coffee…

*Airplane photo from Airliners.net

*Denver airport photos, In-N-Out photo, and fictional accounts of crew interaction by me. (the extent of it consisted of “No problem, Diet Coke please”.)

*Spoiler alert: Jodie Foster DID have a kid, and the air marshal did it.

James Van Dellen

Driverless robot race in Oro Grande, California.   Carnegie Mellon’s team took first prize.  Cool photo essay here.

Hysterial headlines resulted D.C. to Denver’s unnamed flight in which both pilots allegedly fell asleep. This story was covered last week, and I posted the following in the comments:

I don’t believe this in its entirety. The cross country portions of piloting are dull, but arrival at a major class B airport necessitates preparing arrival procedures from miles out. Similar to driving and approaching a major city. Your senses perk up, and you just don’t fall asleep.

When I see the actual details and hear admissions by the pilot’s I’ll believe it, but until then it’s just a scary news story that makes attention with headlines like “Hurtling towards DIA at twice the normal speed.” That line is simply BS. Even if the pilot’s were asleep and unable to communicate most likely the airliner was on auto pilot, and controllers could easily route other planes around it.

Today I read this AP article  which contains one key phrase that gives proper perspective:

The captain noted the plane was about 60 miles away from Denver International Airport and was approaching a point where it was to begin its descent when he woke up.

That means the airliner was at cruising altitude, (the most boring/dull part of flight.)  If they were sleeping then plane would overfly Denver on autopilot.  Definitely unsettling to a passenger, and certainly requiring authoritative action, but not nearly as perilous as your bus driver falling asleep.  It DOESN’T mean the airliner was “hurtling towards the city” uncontrolled requiring a Superman movie scene to save it.  The “twice the normal speed” simply means they were flying at cruise speed, (at cruise altitude,) when it was time to configure for approach.

The Consumerist posted this story today.  Fortunately the commenters on the Consumerist aren’t bent in reactionary hysterics, and realize headlines like “hurtling uncontrolled” just aren’t true.

James Van Dellen