Seven Days to Africa

Next Friday, December 3, I'm off on a trip to Johannesburg for a 24 hour stay. Why, you ask? Is Tall Travel Dude an international man of intrigue? A high level, internationally strategic business meeting? A carnal rendez-vous with a beautiful mistress?

Sorry, none of the above. I am simply trying to earn the necessary number of qualifying miles so that I'll reach Alaska Airlines (AS) MVP Gold 75 elite frequent flyer level. I'll be taking AS partner Delta Airlines (DL)  from Seattle to Atlanta (ATL), connecting to a long ass flight to South Africa on one of DL's newest jets - the 777-200LR (Long Range).  I've flown it round trip to Dubai (DXB), but that was in Delta's business elite class (lie flat seats, ability to sleep hours on end comfortably). This trip? I'm booked in coach. I may get upgraded between SEA & ATL due to my Alaska MVP Gold status, due to recent reciprocity in upgrades between the partner airlines. However, on the long haul legs, I'm stuck in coach. This is creating a certain amount of anxiety. I'm 6'6" (2 meters) tall, and most coach seats lack the bare necessity of legroom to sit comfortably. Fortunately, I've secured bulkhead/emergency exit row seats which give me unlimited room to stretch my legs out.

Here's the long shot for which I'm holding out. My dad worked for Delta (Western before the merger) for 35 years. I'm hoping he has some connections to get me into Business Elite on the long hauls between ATL & Johannesburg (JNB). The return flight time is listed as 17 hours and 5 minutes! Granted, that's what is referred to as block time, which is designed to include taxi time, congestion back up, etc. However, the flight has been averaging a good 16.5 hours.

I'll be sharing stories from that trip, as well as photos. With only 24 hours, I plan to avoid getting killed as my top priority, but hope to make it to a casino to play some poker, South African style. If I had more time, I'd fly down to Cape Town (CPT), but I just don't have the time.