London Jan. 4: Leaving Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)

04PAR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

I left the Club at about 6:45p and made my way to the gate at E-18. I wanted to stay longer as I was trying to upload the video of the congestion, but the flight was boarding and I did not want to be left behind since it was well past departure time. By the time I got to the gate, they were still boarding children. It would be good if Houston Intercontinental had complimentary WiFi throughout the airport.

I asked the Concierge if I could get a window seat, say 10L, she said no, but I could get one in the forward cabin of BusinessFirst near to my current aisle seat. We then spent a few minutes talking about the best seat in that cabin; it seems that it was 1K and after the boarding process had completed 8B. I’ll have to remember that the next time, but really, I’m a big fan of window seats.

She made the change and cheerfully handed me the new boarding after checking my passport. She then told me that I could board at my leisure, so I did.

London Apr. 4: (video) Congestion at Houston Intercontinental

London Apr. 4: At Houston Intercontinental

4APR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We arrived at the airport at about 5:05p. The traffic was bad and thank God we were able to take the HOV lane. Even with that it took a while as it started raining once we got closer to the airport.

I checked my bag and my colleagues headed for their respective gates. One had a flight at 5:25p, which sadly he missed as they closed the doors at 5:20p. As it turns out, it did not leave the gate until 5:57p. The other has a flight at 6:05p and had ample time to make it.

Clearing security was easy and then I made my way to the Presidents Club, showing my credentials to enter. I headed straight up to the top where I can get a better view of the ramp area and the Lee Road runway.

It is crazy at the airport due to the weather. It is actually cold and the wind has shifted so much so that the departure runway has changed to the Lee Road runway so the departure wait is really long. My flight is also delayed until 6:52p, but I'll still arrive early at 9:24a tomorrow at Heathrow. When I got to the Club, I saw it arriving as well as Lufthansa's (LH) Boeing 747-400 taxiing out to the runway.




The takeoff was fantastic as you can see.



I was just IMing (is that a word now?) who is going to bed in Munich, Germany as he is meeting me in Heahtrow at about 10:30a in Terminal 2. Ahh, the Inernet and technology!

There are at least 20 planes that I can see waiting for take off and I'm at one end of the runway. Even after we push at 6:52p, we are going to be here for a while...

Right now, nothing is moving as it is raining. Airplanes are taking off now, but at a diminished pace. The cloud ceiling has also decreased.

At 6:36p, we have not yet boarded. The 6:45p to Paris just started boarding. This is not a good day for the Operations at all. Mother Nature is in charge at the moment and calling all the shots.

A boarding announcement was made at 6:45p. More when I get to Heathrow...