San Jose, CA Jan 2009: Arriving in Mineta San Jose International, San Jose, CA (SJC)

23JAN09 Mineta San Jose, San Jose, CA (SJC)

We landed and hit the brakes before exiting the runway.  I texted my friend and advise that I had landed.

Once we got to the tarmac, we deplaned using stairs.  Unbelievable that all these years this airport still has stairs and a tarp over the long walkway into the terminal.  This airport is really rotten.  Well, this terminal.  The good thing is that they are fixing it.

San Jose, CA Jan 2009: Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to Mineta San Jose, San Jose, CA (SJC)

CO421 23JAN09 Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to San Jose, CA (SJC) 6:37p 8:58p 738 N??218

Flight Time: 3:41

Seat Map

I boarded the airplane making my way through the 2-2 First class with leather seats into the 3-3 Economy class cabin with its cloth seats.

The overhead space was filling up, so I quickly too the next available overhead space, then made my way to my seat.  As it turns out, the lady I was talking to out by the gate was siting at the aisle.

The door soon closed and we pushed back at about 6:38p.  The engines then started and we made our way out to the runway.  The traffic was light so we were on the active runway at 6:58p.

I fell asleep when started our takeoff roll and when I awoke, we were being served dinner.  This was a hot pizza with a salad and a Kitkat bar.  By now the movie "City of Ember" with Bill Murray, although I think it should have been the "Rocker." 

After cleaning up the thrash, we were served a second drink service. All this time, I was reading the "Financial Times" I had picked up from the Presidents Club earlier.  I then got out the trust MacBook and started to do some writing.

As I was at an exit row seat, I had no issues with space.  I looked across from me and the lady at the aisle also had a similar MacBook.

I continued working which was great as I got to finish editing a document that I had forever.  The flight attendants came around with some water and I took a cup.  By now, the movie was finished and some other programs were on.

It was 10:04p (8:04p local), when the Captain came on the PA and announced that we should be starting our descent into California shortly.  So we should buckle up as it will be a bit turbulent.  He also added that it was low ceilings, temperature at 55F and the winds from the NW.  Great, I thought, no mention of rain.

We descended into the dark night.  It was hard to see outside.  The airport became visible barely before landing.

San Jose, CA Jan 2008: Boarding the flight

San Jose, CA Jan 2009: Arriving in Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

23JAN09 Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We parked off airport and made our way to the terminal.  There was hardly a line at Terminal E, so it was pretty easy getting into the airport.  The whole taking off your shoes thing is so annoying as the floor is dirty and I am wearing white socks.  I hope all this will stop soon.

We made our way to the Presidents Club, where we settled in over two glasses of white wine.

Soon, it was 6:00p so we both exited the Club.  Me to the right and my colleague to the left.

By the time I made it to my gate, I had secured a window seat.  As I saw that the Exit row window was still empty I asked the agent to change seats and she obliged.

While I waited, a lady was asking me about the boarding process.  this was her first time traveling on Continental.  She usually flies on Southwest and AirTran who does not have seat assignments and have a different boarding process.  I explained the process to her and she nodded in acknowledgement.  Boarding soon commenced.

San Jose, CA Jan 2009: Leaving Downtown Houston, TX

4:30p Houston, TX

I got a ride with a colleague who was on his way to London, England.  Traffic was pretty light so we made good time getting to the airport.