Thursday – Travel Day
Got up at 6… still had some stuff to pack after I showered. And wanted to catch a cab around 8:15 – just in case there was any rush hour traffic.
Checked email… showered… watched the 1st block of the Today Show… it’s Ann Curry’s first day as co-host, so couldn’t miss that. Even though I have heard that she is kind of a nut job, based on some “intell” I have gotten from the crew. However, I am a total Today Show junkie, so I have to see all the “historical” events.
Headed up to the concierge lounge around 7:20a… got my free omelet. For my most hated hotel in the country, I have to give them HUGE props for having an omelet station in the lounge. Have NEVER had that at any brand of hotel’s concierge lounge.
Finished getting ready and got packed up.
Headed down to the bell stand, requested a cab and dropped my bags.
Went over to the coffee shop for my free drink. I had picked up a punch card earlier in the week…. I had earned enough stamps for a free coffee beverage of my choice. Considering the fact that someone at this hotel, now had over $4,000 of my jewelry, I figured I had earned my free drink! Even if I took it and thrown it away, I had earned it!
Very disappointed. I was convinced the person who stole my jewelry was actually stupid enough to wear it to work. Not the case. I have spent that past 10 days, keeping my signature “Sanibel Sandal” in seclusion, just so I could spot the thief. No luck.
When I got to the airport, my friend Dave from Cincinnati, was in line in front of me. We were both on the 9:57a to Atlanta. So we sat together waiting for our flight, exchanging stories from the road. It’s just what freelancers do. We all have stories… sometimes it almost seems like we are competing for the worst (aka: best) story of all time.
It truly takes a special breed to live this life.
When we landed in ATL, our connections were in different terminals, but we sat for an hour together in the SkyClub since my terminal didn’t have one. More stories and gossip ensued.
We parted ways.. I headed out to the dreaded D Concourse.
Upon arrival, I found my flight was delayed 26 minutes. So I had just over an hour. I decided that I should eat. My day was headed for migraine territory – thought it would be best to nip that in the bud.
Got take out from Chili’s and headed to my gate. There were no seats left, so I sat on the ground next to the trash can to eat. Livin’ the dream baby!
I noshed away as people stepped on my feet. Whatever dude. Don’t like it? Tell Delta to buy more chairs.
We got on plane around 3pm. (the time we were scheduled to depart)
After we all boarded, they announced (around 3:20), we now had a 50 minute delay due to weather. AGGGHHHHH!!!!!
It’s a regional jet – so space is very limited. This is a 1h10m flight; meaning we are on this plane for about 2 hours. There is no way in hell I am staying on for an additional 50!
God bless the passenger rights bill that was recently passed. It dictates that passengers have to be allowed off a domestic plane after something like a 3 hour delay (4 hours for International). For whatever reason (I am not complaining), Delta, has started to allow us off right away. Which is golden!
Last week, when we had a 20 minute delay, I stayed seated, not this time!
I went out and plopped back on the floor. Where I proceeded to watch the gate agent have a melt down. She was upset that flight crew allowed the passengers off the plane.
“It’s only a 50 minute delay – they can just stay on that plane!”
Oh… sweetie, keep pitching your fit… it’s all being logged in my brain. I can’t wait to report you!
You sit on that 98 degree plane for 3 hours and see how you feel honey!
Regional jets have about 1 square inch of additional personal space than a prop plane… and the ventilation is brutal. Cattle en route to slaughter are treated better!
We eventually re-boarded the plane. Sat there for about 20 mins and were informed that there was now a security issue because someone didn’t reboard the plane.
Not good.
That passenger had not checked a bag, so they were fearful he/she had left a gate check item or something in an overhead bin. So the flight attendant came down the isle asking each of us if we had gate checked a bag.
Well that worked until he got to the drunk lady behind me. She didn’t understand the question, so the flight attendant moved on. That made me feel safe! This could result in the gate checked luggage vs passenger gate checked luggage count to not match.
I noticed the jetbridge moving back towards us. Damn it! This means they are gonna make us get off !
A few moments pass… They announce that they have found the missing passenger. He will be back on board shortly.
Cheers erupted!
Got to Charlottesville just about 2 hours late.
Arrived at the hotel around 7p.
I was exhausted! Just a day of travel, but it had wiped me out!!
Ordered room service pizza – actually not that bad.
Checked email and then went to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment