RoboTastic

Here is a random story…

So way back in April on a trip out to San Diego, both me and Dereck had a Red-eye flight back. The flight left at around 11pm or so and we got to the airport around 6 or so because there wasn’t much to do. Anyhow we were waiting around a long time for the flight… when they asked for volunteers. Both Dereck and I got a chance, Dereck took it and I ended up heading home because I was pooped and had already spent so long in the airport. Dereck got a free round trip ticket, a nice hotel and a first class ticket home. I got almost no sleep and was out of it for the whole Saturday… and wished I had taken it.

Fast forward to my trip to Denver. I had a 6:40pm flight back home which got me in at exactly 11:58pm. When I got to the airport I found out my flight was delayed til 8pm. Which would have gotten me in around 1:30am and home closer til 2:30am… ick!

Luckily they oversold the flight, and asked for volunteers… the problem is that said they didn’t have any hotel rooms and you would have to sleep in the airport. Since I wouldnn’t be getting a good night of sleep anyhow, I decided to sign up. I wanted around for a while but eventaully the end up being able to get everyone on the plane and told me I should board. I go to take my seat, get comfortable and give Carolyn a call. After a little the gate agent comes on and motions me. Turns out there were a bunch of passengers sitting around the gate hadn’t checked in even though they had been announcing the flight and that you would lose your seat if you didn’t check in.

I was ready to sleep over in the airport, especially because the flight they booked me on was a first class seat on a 777… whooo-ie! The 777 has the crazy first class suites that have lie flat seats. Anyhow the gate agent couldn’t figure out how to do the VDB so they brought me to the back room of the Customer Service Center ( in front of a line of 100 people). I lucked out the Suprevisor got me a free round-trip ticket for the lower 48, a couple of meal vouchers and… a Hotel room! Along with that first class ticket. I will lose about half of Saturday, but I will get a good nites sleep. Not too bad! Moral of the story, is be flexible and roll with the punches. yep!

One nice thing about travel is trying out new baseball stadiums. Not bad for a $27 ticket! It was raining right at the start of the game, but now we have blue skies.

I am out in Denver for a set of conferences. Nothing to crazy… And unfortunately nothing too exciting. My flight out here was on a Boeing 777, which is a beautiful plane. I also upgrade to business class which is nicer than first class in most two cabin planes. You get a leg rest an the chair reclines almost flat… Think lazy boy! Quite nice. The flight home is going to be tough in economy plus.

Apparently there was a fair or circus in town. On the train tracks next to the shady grove metro station there was a train with flat bed cars loaded up with kiddie rides.