Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013: Day 4 – New York (JFK) to Dublin (DUB)

By Nige on December 16, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Type: Post
Story: Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013 Category: Travel
Tags: American Airlines | DUB | Dublin | JFK | New York | Trips

Arrived a few mins early which I needed. Rushed to the Air Train to get to T4 and the Global Entry Enrolment Centre and T8 was packed.

Got to the GE centre at T4 in about 20 mins and logged in to see someone. Explained the problem to two separate people, and the assessment summary was “computer glitch”, which would need to be sent away to Washington to get sorted. I’ve no confidence this will get sorted any time soon.

So felt that this visit was a bit of a waste of time to be honest. They did recommend I continue to try to use GE.

Managed to get back to T8, through fast track Security and into the lounge in another 20 mins, so still had some time for something to eat. Spoke to Vick before she went to sleep, and I’ll be heading off to my gate in about 20 mins or so. Ready for another scrum at the gate.

I’m expecting to miss the food on the plane and I’ll just try to go to sleep. I’ll see how it goes.

Standard 757 for the flight back and everyone boarded from the front door which causes a huge blockage in business class. There doesn’t seem to be any considered decision as to whether the bridge joins the plane at the front or the middle door.

Cabin crew were very attentive and we were on first name terms with the main flight attendant which was nice. I passed on dinner and managed to sleep for about 4 hours. To be honest the flight only took 5 and a half hours due to the jet stream and that’s quicker than my flight JFK to LAS.

We arrived 30 mins early but ended up sat on the tarmac for 30 mins due to there not being enough gates being assigned to AA. We ended up being 9 mins late arriving. Not the end of the world but a tad frustrating being stuck on a plane not being allowed to do anything because we were technically still taxi-ing.

Once I finally got off, it was a quick whizz through Security and across to Terminal 1 and into another security queue. Although BA are not supposed to have a lounge in Dublin, the DAA Exec Lounge does have BA listed as a partner, so I used my Gold status to get in. Not much of a lounge to speak of, but it’s better than dealing with the madding crowds in the main terminal, and I’ve got access to WiFi etc.

Had a bit of a problem with my Crumpler bag. On coming through Security I left a bottle of water in my bag, and naturally this was picked up. On closing my bag, I shut it using one of the buckles, but when I tried opening it in the lounge it was stuck rigid – the male bit of the fastener obviously hadn’t slid in correctly. This was stuck for 10 mins – I tried a metal spoon to try to force it into a position that I could pull the male bit out, but initially to no avail. Then it just became free – not sure why.

So I can now update my blog again.

Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013