Rookie Mistakes

Last Thursday, my last work-related airplane trip for a long while (fingers crossed) I made two rookie mistakes.

When I went through security, they asked if they could re-run my bag. As soon as they asked, I remembered that I had a set of silverware that I had taken when I packed up my desk and had intended to put in my suitcase. Of course, I forgot that last part. They carefully examined my knife and finally decided it would pass but warned me that next time, I might not be so lucky.

Then, I left my journal on the plane, in the seat pocket. Of course I didn't realize this until I got home. After about 15 phone calls to the Executive service center, and baggage services in Milwaukee, KC, and DC (where it ultimately ended up), I tracked it down. Actually they tracked me down. Luckily I had randomly stuck my boarding pass stub inside, so someone from DC called me to say they had it. So Monday, my first Monday of not going to the airport this year, I had to drive to the airport and pick up my journal. But unlike losing my keys on the plane a few years ago, this one has a happy ending.

I Broke My Own Rule

I have always had a rule, or more of a guideline I guess, not to wear or display anything that indicates my employer when I'm traveling. Too many people either work there, or want to talk about working there, and I don't want to talk about it. Today I was rushed because I couldn't wear what I had picked out to wear due to an unsightly and previously unnoticed spot on the front. So I grabbed a sweater bearing the logo of my employer. Bad idea. People on the shuttle asked me, people in the check-in line asked me, and people on the plane noticed. That's what I get for breaking my rule. Next week I'll just stay home ;)

Airport Obstacle Course

Today as I was passing through General Mitchell for the second-to-last time, I realized how much it seems like an obstacle course. From the parking garage, I go up the elevator to the third floor. Across the sky bridge, through the lobby. Bypass the couple with the books – “Free book on Jesus. He died to save you.” Down the escalator, past the baggage screening area, to the kiosk, back to the baggage screening area to drop off the bag, up the escalator. “Free book on Jesus. He died to save you.” Through security. Shoes off, sweater off, laptop out, zip computer bag. Walk through. Shoes on, sweater on, unzip laptop bag, laptop in.”

Past the shoe shine guy “Shine ‘em up, shine ‘em up. We do ladies shoes too!” [Can you polish patent leather?] Down the hall past the credit card hawker. “Midwest Mastercard – get a free round trip.”

Finally, arrive at the gate. Whew! Next week, repeat!

Waiting for the Plane to Roll Through

When I was in line waiting to go through security, there were two lines, which usually isn't the ase. I chose the shorter outside line. As we were waiting in line, three pilots come through and go to the front of our line. Then a group of flight attendants came to the front of the line. A few minutes later, a catering guy with a cart full of food went through. Then a gaggle of wheelchairs and their drivers went through. The other line continued moving and my line had to keep pausing for all these interruptions. The lady in front of me turns around and says, "I'm just waiting for the plane to roll through!"

You're On the Wrong Plane

This morning as we were nearly finished boarding the flight, the gate attendant came on and made a announcement for Laurel X (names have been changed to protect the embarrassed) to report to the gate agent. No one got up. He makes another announcement saying this time, "Laurel X, please come see me at the gate. You're on the wrong plane!" Of course she is seated nearly at the back and has to walk past every one, knowing they are all thinking how you could end up on the wrong plane. Better her than me!

Air Travel Hardship

After takeoff this morning, the flight attendant announced that due to service limitations on the ground in KC, they were unable to obtain the proper provisions for our flight. Read: no granola bars! Luckily I had a spare one in my purse.

P.S. Temperature upon arrival in Milwaukee: 80. Temperature upon leaving work six hours later: 53. Temp now: 46.

Nice Job on the Practice Run. Now For Real...

Everything went smoothly on my way to the airport and checking in. The flight was looking to be on time and just when I thought the gate attendant was picking up the speaker to announce we were boarding, she said these words: "Sorry everyone, but I need you to evacuate the terminal." Everyone groaned. She mutters "My thoughts, exactly." So out we all went.

After standing outside for about ten minutes they announce a false alarm and that we can all proceed back inside. The lady behind me laments that she'll have to get out her drivers license again. As if that was the biggest inconvenience.

So in we go and all get in line for security, which at this point snakes clear back past the ticket counter. I luckily was near the middle of the line. They were courteous enough to announce they were holding the flight. Ya think?

You would think having just been through security would have put the rules fresh in everyone's mind. But we still had a large assortment of "What do you mean I can't have my cell phone in my pocket/wear my parka/bring in my water... and I have to take my shoes off???"

Gradually we all boarded the flight and took off only a half hour late after all that. Good thing we practiced.

Oh, and it is 51 degrees in Milwaukee, but I did get upgraded to a suite. Go figure it is for my shortest trip yet.

Shine 'Em Up?

I don't think I get the concept of having your shoes shined. There is a very persistent guy in the airport that I walk past every week. "Shine 'em up! We do ladies shoes, too!"

I think my problem is that my shoes only cost $40 to begin with, so for the cost of having my shoes shined every week, I could just buy new shoes every month...

Dracula, Your Baggage Can Be Claimed on Carousel 3

As I was waiting for my luggage, the first box onto the carousel is a big box marked all over with Human Blood. You would think someone would be waiting there to retrieve, but it was still going around when I left.

No Hungry Dogs in the Airport

As I was going through airport security, I noticed stickers on the sides of the little bowls that you put your keys and such in to go through the scanner. They are pet dishes!

Recombobulation Area

This sign is in the airport just past security where they have the benches for you to sit and put your shoes back on. It makes me smile every week. Glad to know not every airport takes everything so seriously.

Sorry Folks...Airport's Closed. Moose Out Front Shoulda Told You

I thought I was in for trouble when I tried to check in and was told I had already checked in at 6:30 this morning with two bags. I hadn’t even left the house yet so I knew it wasn’t me. Apparently somebody else was checked in under my name.

There were big storms on the east coast, but I hadn’t heard anything about Milwaukee. So we depart on time, all’s good and when we are about 45 minutes away, the pilot announces that the airport in Milwaukee is closed for snow removal. That is helpful information to have before leaving. We went in circles for about 30 minutes then were able to land in Milwaukee.
It was crazy snowing when I left the airport but by the time I got to the office, which is less than fifteen minutes away, the sun was bright and shiny and no snow.

Update: As I write this at 12:05, I looked out the window and it is crazy snowing again. From weather.com: AS OF 11 AM... MILWAUKEE GENERAL MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED 13.2 INCHES. AN ADDITIONAL 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON NEAR THE LAKE... LEADING TO STORM TOTALS OF 15 TO 18 INCHES OVER SOUTHEASTERN SECTIONS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY. ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE.

It snowed long enough on my drive in for me to find out how inadequate the windshield wipers are in the Ford Focus from New Jersey. Only about the last two inches of the blades do anything at all. Should be fun this week if it keeps snowing!

Reflections on Planes, Pilots, and People

Why is it that one of the three elements to make a complete flight is always missing? On Sunday night, the plane and the crew were there and ready to go, but we had to wait an hour for 17 people who were coming in on another flight from San Fran. Tonight, the plane and the people were there, but the crew wasn't. Why is it never in sync? Even more ironic, there were two crews being transported on our flight and THEY were there.