I'll bet I could find a handful of folks who would love to take your place... yes, with Bob... Shall we ask right here on fodors for a substitute gpanda? (although I doubt we'd find anyone willing to put on a speedo...)

We would love to go.......Linda would have to wear the speedo though.....

I think Jeane and I could handle Bob - we volunteer to go but only if we can sit in the front of the plane...

Nope. Speedo-clad and bust-out economy. Feel the pain. Plus, you always have to sit squished in the back of the Toyota taxis, three across. Not to mention, one must be able to perform the muscle trick on demand. Jeane has lots of tricks, but she may not have that one in her repertoire.

Nice! No, never give up hope. I don't know what you mean that it disappeared. But maybe it had already cleared: the Waitlisted line disappeared and the first line booking code was NC. Not that it matters. Am happy for you.

A couple of weeks ago I was looking for a domestic transcon upgrade and the flight was F0 six hours before the 6AM flight (with only 8 F seats). But there were 2 no shows and I was cleared when I got to the gate.

Anyway, have a great trip!

I will have to look into your choice of Bangkok lodging.

Carol,
Have a great trip. Don't worry about Bob and Andy. No doubt once they start in with their shtick on that very long flight to BKK the passengers nearby will petition the flight crew to move them up and out, to the biz class or first class cabins. Andy: I am told throwing food on board gets you special attention and an immediate upgrade.
Pls take photos at the GTG.

"passengers nearby will petition the flight crew to move them up and out" I understand that wing seating has good ventilation and lots of legroom.

Hello from the OHare Red Carpet Club, terminal one, B concourse. Time for coffee and muffin before taking my business class seat for the long haul. I'm soooo ready!!

Andy, I told you I could get volunteers to take your place. Did you see all those wonderful fodorites who would happily help you out... although maybe not Craig and Jeane since you say they have to suffer in economy.

tengo... maybe if I throw my business class food they will move me to first class???? haha Hey, I wonder if Andy's muscle trick would get one an upgrade??? (or perhaps booted completely off the plane)

Bill, I highly recommend the Adelphi Suites. I'm going to be sure to remind them, at check in tomorrow night, just how much business I personally have brought them. I'm the reason they are FULL... haha But, seriously, do give it a try sometime. It isn't lux. I've never said that. It is very clean, very comfy and spacious in a 1-bedroom apt, and very handy to the skytrain, and the staff are wonderful friendly people.

I'll post more along the way. Maybe I'll get to SJ this time. I'll have to look up the name of that other place that is really not that far from my apartment.... who knows, maybe I'll come home with some jewels this time!! It isn't something that is on my usual shopping list.

Enjoy your day... I plan to enjoy mine (by sleeping most of the way)....

Carol

Carol, have fun. Will be looking for your posts from BKK.

Carol- Yeah. No immediate check-in report = automatic 5 point deduction.

Pertinent Questions:

What food did they serve on your ANA flights? What was available in the galley to nibble on?

777 all the way or 777 and 767/747?

Do they still play that miserable ANA music after landing? Aaaarrghh! :P

mango, are those questions about ANA for me?? I'm on all United metal... 747s all the way. Never been on ANA.

Food and service were quite good this time. Cabin crew were going out of their way to welcome us aboard and ask if we were comfortable, needed anything... etc. I'm not used to that treatmant... haha I noted that we had a lot of 1K-ers in my business class cabin area.

I did sleep for about 7 hours. Pays to be able to lie flat. Munchies included noodle soup and some sort of cold sandwiches, but I did not have any of it. I did the standard meal after takeoff and the standard fruit plate just prior to arrival at NRT.

Time for a walk around NRT airport a bit to stretch my legs; then off to Red Carpet for some internet time.

Looking forward to being in BKK in about 9 hours from now! I'm already getting hungry for Maeng's garlic shrimp, even though I'm sure I'll eat something on the NRT to BKK flt.

NRT airport is really BUSY this time!!! Wow... who are all these people, and where is everybody going??

Carol

Carol-we can feel your excitement of your return to BKK. Narita is always a tease. The garlic is being picked as you write. The shrimp are taking their last few strokes of freedom.

I was driving by Soi 8 and I could swear that I saw Carol crossing the street. Must be my imagination since she's still flying!

Was the Red Carpet Lounge crowded? Last time we came through Narita we used the ANA Lounge (we were flying ANA) and it wasn't crowded at all.

Hanuman- She's there in spirit. You saw a farang P!!

Hi Carol- Not sure why I got the impression you take ANA regularly. If you haven't tried them you oughta just to break the monontony.

Btw, this garlic shrimp you speak of..where does one find?

Have great fun,Carol. Happy Travels!

Ah, those familiar flights, the time at Narita, all precursors to arrival in Bangkok!

Hello, or should I saw... Sawasdee kah from Bangkok!!! Just checking in to say I mnade it. I got a public taxi, which by the way is now relocated to the 1st Floor!!! You have to take the people mover (which accepts luggage carts) down one level. That was an unexpected surprise at the BKK airport. I wonder when they moved public taxis downstairs......???

I dropped bags at my apartment and went to Maeng's for garlic shrimp and conversation with a bunch of good friends were happened to be there.

Now it is time for sleep. Sounds like a thunder storm outside at just after 3am....

Carol

tomorrow for shopping

Welcome home :D