So, yesterday at home was super busy and I did not realize that I did not get my usual email from AT 24hrs before flight. Realized only after I had gone to bed and was setting my alarm. At that point I couldn't be bothered but now wish I had. I need to find out if this was a glitch or what happened to the email. I want to have a fighting chance at the upgrade.
Business is full or was because people got upgraded. Got to airport in plenty of time for flight but not to get upgraded I guess. Security was really busy this am. Got to gate around 8:20ish and it was too late to do anything.
So, now I'm stuck in 19c, the row behind the exit row, and I'm cramped. Can hardly work. Guy in front of me got up to go the bathroom and noticed I was working and has not put his seat back again which is nice. Wish I had my camera to ask the lady next to me to take a picture of how I had to work until he sat upright.
For this flight the passengers are nice but the head flight attendant is a nazi.
Everytime I'm in Business they allow people from coach up to business's bathroom but not when I'm in coach. Very interesting.
Also, in coach there is no where to put your laptop while waiting to use it. So, you must either wait until they release the seat belt restrictions or have it under your seat. If under seat and not in a sleeve it slides all around. So, basically I need 2 computer bags which is ridiculous.
AT is serving jasmine tea nowadays which is awesome but if you just order tea you have no idea what you'll get. They just randomly give you a bag. Had this happen on 2 AT flights.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Difficulties in Durango
A lot of my flights have been short recently and/or don't have internet available. My last flight last week had internet and I had 2 laptops but funnily enough both were dead. Guess that's what happens when you let someone borrow a charger and then spend the next two days unsuccessfully juggling one charger for 2 laptops when you are never really around your computer because you are too busy putting in face time and putting out fires.
So, here's the story of a day trip to Durango CO.
Normally, whenever I travel, I carry around some basic necessities like toiletries, toothpaste and toothbrush as well as a change of underwear. Sometimes I feel like a major tramp if my bag is open in public as it seems that my comfy cotton pink panties are flashing a neon sign saying I'm easy and cheap even though it would take Psych or House to notice them.
Anyway, normally I'm traveling across country where anything can happen, many delays, spills in lap, bad airport food, etc. Is that a nice enough way to say that shit happens, sometimes literally?
Since I have 2 home bases really I don't need to pack much in clothing. Sometimes I carry 1 change of clothing with me too, but always the underwear.
Well, this day was special. I, along with 2 co-workers, were going from Denver to Durango just for the day to make a presentation. The agenda was like this: leave hotel in Englewood at 630am to make an 8:15am flight. Flight to be 1 hr long. Goal: not to sit with my coworkers at all as the hour apart would be most welcome and be able to look out window to see the rockies. After landing, our host was to pick us up and drive us around the scenic way until we got to our destination of fire station where we'd do our presentation. Afterwards, work with team, then take another scenic drive and get back to airport by 4pm for the 5pm flight.
As it always happens, within 15 mins of arriving at the airport we learn that Denver is having a really bad and weird storm and flights are delayed. At first the flight was delayed in departure till 6:15. So, the team and I think, ok, we can go to the cafe, grab a beer and get some work done for an hour and a half. So we do and they actually have a good beer on tap brewed in Durango so all is well.
Then we hear at 5:45 that the flight is delayed again till 7:15 due to tornadoes and hail storm in Den. So, ok, what's another 1 hr delay right?
So, now at this point I've been in a car or room with my co-workers since 6:30. It is now hitting the 12 hr mark, but I only have 1 hour more to go, then I get the delicious alone-ness of the plane. So, I escape for a bit outside to see some more pretty scenery no matter how sparse it is, it is better than inside.
My savvy reader you can probably see where this is going. The cafe kicks us out at 6:30 stating that they were supposed to close at 6pm even though the airport is packed with people all in the same boat, increased revenue from this be damned, they are going home. Then the flight gets delayed till 8:30. We are now roaming the hallways and looking at the candy machines thinking "thank god I ate, even if it was tacos and chili" (tasted good but yep, as scary as it sounds on the other end) at least I'm not reduced to fritos and snickers bars. "
Well, it wasn't all bad. Durango is beautiful! Even if I did spend most of my time at the airport.
So, here's the story of a day trip to Durango CO.
Normally, whenever I travel, I carry around some basic necessities like toiletries, toothpaste and toothbrush as well as a change of underwear. Sometimes I feel like a major tramp if my bag is open in public as it seems that my comfy cotton pink panties are flashing a neon sign saying I'm easy and cheap even though it would take Psych or House to notice them.
Anyway, normally I'm traveling across country where anything can happen, many delays, spills in lap, bad airport food, etc. Is that a nice enough way to say that shit happens, sometimes literally?
Since I have 2 home bases really I don't need to pack much in clothing. Sometimes I carry 1 change of clothing with me too, but always the underwear.
Well, this day was special. I, along with 2 co-workers, were going from Denver to Durango just for the day to make a presentation. The agenda was like this: leave hotel in Englewood at 630am to make an 8:15am flight. Flight to be 1 hr long. Goal: not to sit with my coworkers at all as the hour apart would be most welcome and be able to look out window to see the rockies. After landing, our host was to pick us up and drive us around the scenic way until we got to our destination of fire station where we'd do our presentation. Afterwards, work with team, then take another scenic drive and get back to airport by 4pm for the 5pm flight.
As it always happens, within 15 mins of arriving at the airport we learn that Denver is having a really bad and weird storm and flights are delayed. At first the flight was delayed in departure till 6:15. So, the team and I think, ok, we can go to the cafe, grab a beer and get some work done for an hour and a half. So we do and they actually have a good beer on tap brewed in Durango so all is well.
Then we hear at 5:45 that the flight is delayed again till 7:15 due to tornadoes and hail storm in Den. So, ok, what's another 1 hr delay right?
So, now at this point I've been in a car or room with my co-workers since 6:30. It is now hitting the 12 hr mark, but I only have 1 hour more to go, then I get the delicious alone-ness of the plane. So, I escape for a bit outside to see some more pretty scenery no matter how sparse it is, it is better than inside.
My savvy reader you can probably see where this is going. The cafe kicks us out at 6:30 stating that they were supposed to close at 6pm even though the airport is packed with people all in the same boat, increased revenue from this be damned, they are going home. Then the flight gets delayed till 8:30. We are now roaming the hallways and looking at the candy machines thinking "thank god I ate, even if it was tacos and chili" (tasted good but yep, as scary as it sounds on the other end) at least I'm not reduced to fritos and snickers bars. "
June 13th Air Tran flight from ATL to DEN
Wow. I can't believe that I haven't blogged in such a long time. Here's why:
Week of 5/17: can't remember that far back
Week of 5/24: Really busy week including trip to Durango CO which I'll blog about separately.
Week of 5/31: Memorial Day: This day began a multi-week trip. Shouldn't have to travel on the holiday but it was better for me since the Thursday I would normally come home instead I went to SLC. Spent 6/3 night thru morning of 6/7 in SLC with my bestest family friends in the whole world. Wow what a weekend that was. I could write and write about the family, the graduation, the bbq party, the birthday party, how I am not meant to handle 7 kids aged 5-23 and a visiting grandma and great-grandma, how it took all of my patience and how it probably added 5 years of wrinkles due to lack of sleep, but instead I'll focus on something seeming miniscule but more appropriate to this theme.
Two people in SLC asked me this question when they heard about my job: "I bet you are being paid a ton of money for this job, right?"
This was not a hypothetical question.
They waited for replies.
Dear reader, what on earth should one say to that?
No one ever prepped me for this. Humility would say to answer yes as by most standards I am. It certainly is the most I've ever made in my life. But, seriously, really, you ask a total stranger that? In the company of other friends and acquaintances? Really? Do you ask people their age and how much they weigh? Do you ask them about politics and religion too when you first meet them?
Ok, now one was a child and no one expects an 11 year old to know exactly what is appropriate and proper, but the other was a 30+ year old!
I am used to a lot of people saying things like how I can give them my Frequent Flyer miles and even some questions about how my husband and I are doing dealing with this job, but straight up "do you make a lot?" just threw me. (this pic was not taken while on said trip to UT but I thought the face fit. LOL)
Is it me? Am I the only one censoring myself? Is it people in SLC? Are they going to say I should donate or tithe to the LDS church? Are they just not taught what is appropriate?
Well, I am now sure that I will be asked again by someone and I want to be prepared. I am very direct and truthful in general. I do want to say that I am paid well but not be boasting, nor do I want to be dis-honest, but most of all I want a way to put an end to the discussion tactfully. I need the ability to make the person feel like it is not right to ask that but I'm not mad at them or anything, just skillfully side stepping the question.
Dear readers, do not make me write to a women's magazine about this, but I do know it is that type of question. I just did a quick but limited Google search on this and I found a lot of "how to ask the right questions" and "what to say in a job interview" or "how to answer what is your salary requirement" type questions. That is the closest but as you can see not what I need.
So, any thoughts welcome.
Week of 5/17: can't remember that far back
Week of 5/24: Really busy week including trip to Durango CO which I'll blog about separately.
Week of 5/31: Memorial Day: This day began a multi-week trip. Shouldn't have to travel on the holiday but it was better for me since the Thursday I would normally come home instead I went to SLC. Spent 6/3 night thru morning of 6/7 in SLC with my bestest family friends in the whole world. Wow what a weekend that was. I could write and write about the family, the graduation, the bbq party, the birthday party, how I am not meant to handle 7 kids aged 5-23 and a visiting grandma and great-grandma, how it took all of my patience and how it probably added 5 years of wrinkles due to lack of sleep, but instead I'll focus on something seeming miniscule but more appropriate to this theme.
Two people in SLC asked me this question when they heard about my job: "I bet you are being paid a ton of money for this job, right?"
This was not a hypothetical question.
They waited for replies.
Dear reader, what on earth should one say to that?
No one ever prepped me for this. Humility would say to answer yes as by most standards I am. It certainly is the most I've ever made in my life. But, seriously, really, you ask a total stranger that? In the company of other friends and acquaintances? Really? Do you ask people their age and how much they weigh? Do you ask them about politics and religion too when you first meet them?
Ok, now one was a child and no one expects an 11 year old to know exactly what is appropriate and proper, but the other was a 30+ year old!
Is it me? Am I the only one censoring myself? Is it people in SLC? Are they going to say I should donate or tithe to the LDS church? Are they just not taught what is appropriate?
Well, I am now sure that I will be asked again by someone and I want to be prepared. I am very direct and truthful in general. I do want to say that I am paid well but not be boasting, nor do I want to be dis-honest, but most of all I want a way to put an end to the discussion tactfully. I need the ability to make the person feel like it is not right to ask that but I'm not mad at them or anything, just skillfully side stepping the question.
Dear readers, do not make me write to a women's magazine about this, but I do know it is that type of question. I just did a quick but limited Google search on this and I found a lot of "how to ask the right questions" and "what to say in a job interview" or "how to answer what is your salary requirement" type questions. That is the closest but as you can see not what I need.
So, any thoughts welcome.
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