A quick round of planespotting before I catch Space Shuttle Endeavour on its move from LAX to Exposition Park.

This aircraft is the reason why I decided to squeeze in some planespotting before seeing Endeavour. This is one of several United aircraft that have a story with me; on May Day 2008, she was the very aircraft that brought me home from Denver to Los Angeles, after I cut an extremely nightmarish business trip in Indianapolis a day short. I still remember a gorgeous view of Grand Canyon at sunset from one of her window seats during the flight.

It indeed was one of those days when seeing a United plane in a faraway city I hate, and hopping on it to get home, was the best part of the whole trip; another nightmare trip of mine, a 1999 visit to the Netherlands, ended the same way on a high note. United truly stood out in those two trips for me, and needless to say, United has cemented place in my heart as THE favorite airline for me.

I have spotted this old friend several more times after that experience, though this is the first time I am seeing her in the Disco Ball livery. She still awaits an upgrade to Continental-style international interior, after which she will serve primarily European routes. For now she is doing what she normally has done until now - a Hawaiian run; on this occasion, she is running United 565 to Maui.

"Fly the Friendly Skies"