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REFER ON AN INTERNATIONAL - NEW - TO DETROIT,
MI
REFER ON AN INTERNATIONAL - USED - ROCKFORD, IL TO WICHITA, KS
REFER ON AN INTERNATIONAL - USED - ROCKFORD, IL TO WICHITA, KS
Sunday - 12/26/10
Merry Christmas - When I got home
on Thursday AM, I was one of only three cars in the lot. This AM I will be the
first one in the lot. Not sure where everyone else is.
I pick 10 AM as
my start time, end up leaving a little earlier than that. Truck starts, it has
been plugged in, but the cord was since plowed into the snowbank, so not sure
if the plug in was working or not. New truck, tandem axel. First thing I see
when I turn the key on is 'water in fuel.' And the tank is at ¼, not
where it should be in this weather.
Wishing now I had left earlier,
but too late to change that now. I always seem to think it's going to take
longer than it does, most of the time I'm wrong.
I go about 40 miles
before stopping for fuel, trying to minimize my fuel stops. I'm the only one at
the truck pumps, 3-4 other trucks in the lot. But the highway is full, traffic
is doing the speed limit, but cars are often jockeying for position. Roads are
clear, beats the last trip.
Again, trying to minimize my fuel stops, I
don't stop at my usual places on the WI/IL state line, I push it another 50 and
stop on the tollway. Again, only one other truck at this truckstop, cashier
comments on that also. Easy to find truck numbers on the computer with this few
on the road. Minimal backup in Chicago, still daylight going through the toll
booths.
More scales, all closed. The perks of working on holiday
weekends.
I do end up making better time than expected but don't have
a list of motels beyond 500 miles so that's where I'll be stopping. It would
have been nice to have gotten a few more hours in, it would have allowed me
that many more miles at the end of Tuesday. But I don't want to chance it and
end up driving around looking for motels and the end of my 11 hours.
Motel 6 in Battle Creek it is. Been here before, remembered the Craker Barrel
next door and know that they close early.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Motel 6, Battle Creek, MI
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
First, I have
stayed at this location before and don't remember any issues.
This time
when I walked into the front desk there was an odor that I can't pinpoint.
While nothing was dirty, it had the general look and feel of motels chains with
lower standards than the '6.'
It was 8pm and a laundry cart was stored
outside along with other items. The sink had something melted onto it, it
wasn't something I could get off with a rag. The fridge was cleaner on the
inside than on the outside. Overall just a lower standard of 'clean.'
IF I
return, I will check the room/area first and likely will pay the extra $20 to
stay at one of the other motels.
On the plus side, this motel is right
between Denny's and the Cracker Barrel.
* My ratings for this
hotel
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 2 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars
Location
o 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5
stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay December 2010
* Visit was for
Business
* Traveled with Solo Traveler
* Member since November 28, 2010
* Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? No
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Denny's, Battle Creek, MI
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
(Waiting to be
listed)
Monday - 12/27/10
Up, rolling, don't want to
leave the truck on empty so I stop and put in 5 gallons. I could have made it
but with the low fuel light on. Loves/Pilot/Flying J … need to get those
'pre-approved' cards setup.
I get to the customer and the door is
locked. As I'm walking away I hear someone knocking, there is someone in there.
They are closed today but payroll is here and a couple of managers doing
timecards. This does allow me to sit inside while I wait for the taxi. Taxi is
late as usual, as I'm ready to call back he shows up. Short(er) ride to the
airport than I expected, seemed shorter … still $60.
Never flown
in/out of DTW before, did switch rental cars here once. Drove one down from
Canada but they wouldn't let it go past DTW so we had to switch cars. I have a
couple of hours to spare. I knew it was going to be a long day so I ate …
not something I usually do before noon. (Looking now I see they had a
'Charlies'). But then I wouldn't have gotten a breakfast sandwich from 'Earl of
Sandwich.' It was good, but couldn't eat it all.
http://www.earlofsandwichusa.com/
Sure, the one time I have a
timetable, they are looking for people to go standby, $200 for waiting 2 hours.
Easy money, but that would mess up the rest of my trips/flights/etc.
Flight was ??? (Three flights this week, I don't remember)
One thing I
do remember is this is the first flight I heard them say that no camera's are
allowed, they are now included as electronics. Yet a lot of people were taking
pictures when they announced over the PA that you could see the Chicago
skyline.
And that when we were going to leave the stewardess saw the
gal next to me putting her phone away while it was still on … so the
stewardess stood there as the gal 'tried to shut it off' and finally the pilot
was beeping for her and she had to answer. Then the gal put the phone away, not
sure if it was off or not. I was going to watch when we landed but a looked
away and the gals phone was on, haven't seen one come on that fast before, then
she pulled another one that was on out of her purse. I REALLY hope that phones
are not an issue … or they need to have some kind of signal detector on
the planes.
My original flight was back home, via Chicago. I've talked
to dispatch and know now that I'll be doing two Rockford, IL to Wichita, KS
trips. I get off in Chicago but don't know/don't remember the O'hare airport
and haven't looked online at the shuttle schedule. Should have, then I'd have
known to rush. I don't waste time but wasn't doing any 'power walking.' Once I
walk the 'mile' to the elevator, I can't read which floor I want so I ride up
and down before getting off at the correct one.
As I walk up to the
ticket counter for the bus, I tell a bus driver who is walking away "don't
leave.' He then asks where I'm going, not where I am … then asks if it's
OK for him to leave now … :
At some point I see another bus pull
away, never did find out if that was mine or not.
Once the correct bus
does get there an hour later, about 10 people get on the bus after me and buy
their tickets on the bus. Didn't know we could do that or I'd have gone outside
and checked both buses. An hour ride to Rockford, they do three stops, I know
where the 'depot' is so that's where I get off. I wait for the ticket agent to
be free and ask for a number for a taxi, she calls. Wrong number the first
time.
Someone with three kids is there buying tickets before the buses
leave but they miss it. The next driver in checks with everyone in the waiting
area before leaving, but he's not going to the correct place for those people,
so they have an hour wait. I have to call the taxi back, finally almost an hour
later the taxi shows up, and he already has a passenger, someone who gets a
longer ride so I can get dropped first.
All I have is an address via
phone, haven't seen the paperwork yet. So we are looking for a 'cold storage'
warehouse until we get close … then I see it, Penske, I've been here
before. It has me worried for a little bit, did dispatch pull a fast one on me
knowing I wouldn't take a used piece of junk if I knew ahead of time?? Nope.
It's the trucks I was expecting. Some companies store their trucks at Penske
for service reasons.
I joke that I'm taking both if they have a hitch,
so they get them both started before they take me back to them. Sorry, one
today, one tomorrow.
Dispatch wanted me to deliver and fly out Tuesday
night. I hadn't seen the trucks yet and didn't' know if I could make it so I
booked at 6 AM flight instead. A 6 PM flight would have had me back in
Chicago/Rockford without having to log my flying hours. It also would have
gotten me going a couple of hours earlier and been able to get a $29 motel.
Motel 6 a block from the bus depot.
Truck checks good, only one ice
cream bar in the box, I'm not going to try it. Truck has ¾ of a tank of
fuel so I'm good for a while. This trip takes me down I-88 to the Quad cities,
never been this route before. Trucks will do 65 mph so that's what I set the
cruise for.
I had hoped to make it to Des Moines but with the delays
with the bus and taxi it won't happen. Iowa City is the only town I remember so
that's my goal. I do want to be full of fuel before I stop for the night and
find a 'diesel only' Pilot on I-80 about 15 miles from IA city. Because it's in
a city, there are no signs listing the motels, but I recognize the Hampton Inn
on the top of a hill, this is my exit.
I can't remember the name of
the motel I've stayed at before even when I see it. I'm ready to pull into the
Motel 6 when I see $30 where I stayed before. Dispatch calls when I'm pulling
in and pull in the wrong area, two guys come out of their rooms to help me back
out, they don't want me going over the retaining wall. Dispatch is wondering if
I can push it to make a flight, nope, not me. I don't drive that way.
The cheap rooms are gone, but I stay. I tell them that I could have stayed at
the Motel 6 for less. "But have you seen their rooms?" was there reply. No, but
all I do is sleep in mine.
I walk two doors down to Perkins, no
Denny's tonight.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Big
10 Inn, Coralville, IA <<<<<<<<<<<<<
That's what I was told when the desk clerk said they were out of the
'cheap' rooms and I said I might go across the street to a different motel.
The place is nice, I paid less than $50, heat in the room was already on
(that is rare these days). Lounge closed in November, it's for sale. Been here
before, will be back again.
A picture is worth a 1,000 words so I took
three and won't write any more.
* My ratings for this hotel
o 3 of
5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 3 of 5
stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay December 2010
* Visit was for Business
*
Traveled with Solo Traveler
* Member since November 28, 2010
*
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Perkins, Coralville, IA
<<<<<<<<<<<<< I had a French Dip with a
salad sub'ed for the fries. Just the right amount of food, was able to eat all
of both the sandwich and salad. Place was clean, food was good, staff was
helpful. Just the way a family restaurant should be.
Tuesday -
12/27/10
Enough traffic this AM that I have to slow down at times, I
kick off the cruise to pass people as it's still dark, like that extra control.
At one point I'm trying to pass and look down to see how much I've slowed
because I'm not making it past. SLOWED?? I'm doing 75. Guess they didn't want
me to pass. I back off, reset the cruise. Trying to limit my fuel stops, I
don't fuel in Des Moines. I end up making it all the way to Cameron, MO. From
here I can make delivery.
But, when I talked to the customer earlier
today they told me the new policy is that the trucks must be full at delivery,
and told me where I can fuel. On this run we have two contacts, plus they give
me a name and number for a 3rd person, just in case. I keep the cruise set at
70, I told them I'd be in between 2 and 4. Yesterday I had said that I 'hoped'
to be there by 6 PM. But as usual, I'm making better time than expected. Better
safe than sorry.
15 miles from Emporia, mile marker 140, I notice I'm
losing speed so I look at the tac, Yes, I'm losing RPS's, when I look back up
all I can see is smoke behind me. So I pull to the right shoulder, by then
traffic is stopping in both directions on the freeway because of the smoke.
Once I stop it fills the cab, I shut the truck off, grab my bag and jump out
the right door so not to jump into traffic.
(I should have taken a
picture.)
I don't see flames anywhere so I open the hood. No flames,
by now the smoke is clearing and traffic is moving again. I call dispatch who
wants to know if the truck will re-start. I leave the doors open and try to
re-start it … it starts, it smokes, BANG! It backfires. I shut it off, in
the couple of seconds it was on, smoke is already coming through the vents. I'm
not driving it anywhere.
Within the hour I find out that I will be
towed, by a company in Emporia, 15 miles away. My mind is racing faster than
dispatch is talking, (how will I get out of Emporia?) … and I will be
towed to Wichita, OK, no change of plans needed. I'll still be able to catch my
flight tomorrow. I do set out my triangles, what was left of them. Two of the
three are broken, and our book does not say how to set up triangles on a four
lane highway.
In the two hours I'm there I do not see any highway
patrols. More cars seem to move over when I sitting there alone than once the
tow truck gets there. They had said a half hour and I give them 45 minutes,
with phone in hand ready to call them, they arrive. He's done this before but
still doesn't like the traffic. His count says 2 out of 3 do not move over, and
of those two, 90% are on their cell phone … talking or texting. He's been
hit before, rear-ended.
After I'm hooked, then he asks if I loaded.
I'm not, so he's legal. He's got the pre-pass for the toll way. More of a
'clean cut' guy than most in his line of work. And from him I learn a better
way to get to US-50, and to this customer. KS-254 at El Dorado.
At the
shop, I'm told that they will look at it shortly and be able to work on it
"sometime in mid January." And I reply that it makes no difference to me,
dispatch will be sending someone else in, even if they can fix it tonight I'll
be out of hours and the customer is NA to accept the truck. They ask where I'm
headed and said there is no bus service this far from town, but they can give
me a ride … later. I didn't ask what later was, but it was less than an
hour.
Free ride to the airport, beats a $50 taxi. The driver hasn't
been here for a while so he takes one wrong turn. I'm really going to a motel
but my procedure is to call from the airport for motels with 'free shuttles.'
I'm learning, I remember to go get my ticket tonight. I avoid the lines that
will be here tomorrow AM. And I ask if I can get on tonight's flight …
It's full with standby's I'm told. And I'm told to be to the airport "an hour
and a half before my flight, it's really busy that time in the AM." OK, not
doing the math or thinking about it.
I call six motels, the cheapest
one is $49 including shuttle. Howard Johnson, but I find out there 'shuttle' is
any taxi and the taxi gets paid by the motel. This taxi driver doesn't like
that idea. My guess is the fare is too small, it's only a <> mile from
the airport and they likely have to accept a volume rate.
After I
check in, I walk next door to the Texas Roadhouse
http://www.texasroadhouse.com/
… and I notice the billboard overhead
for the Hanger One Steakhouse
http://www.hangaronesteakhouse.com/
Texas Roadhouse was full, line waiting, didn't bother to ask how long of line.
I had thought of getting something to go but … walked back to the motel
instead and asked for 'other options.' McD's, BK, Chinese buffet or Hanger One.
Hanger One was the furthest but I was in the mood for 'steak.' Three blocks,
didn't see anyone else walking, seemed like a safe enough area.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Howard Johnson, Wichita, KS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I was at the
airport and wanted a motel with a 'free shuttle.' Turned out their shuttle was
any taxi and the motel paid the tab. Looking at it that way, there were other
motels that would have been cheaper if I had picked up the tab for the cab to
them.
Still, under $50 with two shuttles is not a bad price and this is a
nice motel. Very well kept up, the one down side? Come on, this the 21st
century. Get some power outlets in the rooms for all the electronics people
carry. I had to unplug the coffee maker to use my computer and plug my phone
into the only open outlet in the room ... over the sink.
After staring at
the floor, I finally noticed that it had been patched twice, but the patches
were so perfectly match you couldn't tell unless you ... stared.
Next door
to the Texas Roadhouse, or if you don't like lines the Hangar One Steakhouse is
three blocks away ... great food.
* My ratings for this hotel
o 3
of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 3
of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep
Quality
* Date of stay December 2010
* Visit was for Business
* Traveled with Solo Traveler
* Member since November 28, 2010
*
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Hanger One Steakhouse, Wichita,
KS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
(Due to job
regulations, I only allow myself one hour to eat) From my motel, I first walked
to 'another steakhouse' which had a line, over this steakhouse was a billboard
for 'Hanger One,' so I walked the two blocks looking for a place with no
waiting.
Other than the two groups who walked in when I did, there was not
a line at 6 PM. This place has a flying theme from how the staff dresses, the
decor and the TV screens. Of the four screens I could see, three were showing
flying related info, stunts, take offs/landings, etc. The other screen was
showing a college football game.
I think this is the first place I've
given 4 stars in all areas, don't know what it would take to give someone five
stars.
I had the 10oz chopped steak with a side of potato soup and
horseradish mashed potatoes. Had never tasted either of the sides before and
both were very good.
At a price of $10, it was only a dollar more than I
paid the night before for a sandwich at a family restaurant.
The place
also has a walk-in wine area, but I didn't try any of them.
In and out in
45 minutes, great place.
Wednesday - 12/29/10
??? 3:45 AM
…. W-h-y ?
By now I have remembered that in Montreal, two of us
were able to change our tickets, get through security, customs and on the plane
in an hour. I seriously doubt Wichita is going to be half again as busy as
Montreal.
This AM the shuttle is that, a shuttle, not a taxi. The
driver tells me that … 'the airport doesn't even open until 5 AM.' But by
then it's too late to change my plans. Airport is open at 4:30, ticket gate and
security isn't. I'm 2nd in line for security, not sure of the line at the
ticket counter. My usual unpacking and packing my bag. No issues, but here they
did want to see my ticket and ID at the metal detector … every airport is
different.
WAY too early for breakfast, and no one is open yet. I'm
the first one to the gate, no one else gets there for another 20 minutes. I
find power and start doing something on my computer. I had thought of going
back to security to see how busy it got but forgot. Did see that there were
two, yes two, flights at 6 AM <> 50 people on each flight … good
thing I was here at 4:30
:
I'm in the very back of the plane,
loud, right next to the engine. With these small planes it was out the door and
down the stairs. Walk across the parking area, no one seems to be watching us,
no marked path, two other planes in the same area. Very small plane, only three
seats across. Only overhead storage on one side, but I find a place. I had
changed my seat to the single seat side, that side gives me elbow room if I can
work on my computer. Turns out a couple ended up with one of my seats so it
worked for them too.
This leg I have the schedule for the bus so I'm
watching the time. We are in early but get placed in the 'penalty box.' O'Hare
actually has a place to stage small planes until they can unload. There are
four ahead of us, not for our airline but all waiting. Others come behind us
and wait. I now have 45 minutes until the next bus leaves and we are still
waiting.
Then we get to the gate, and wait again. When we boarded
there was a very large lady that took a while to get seated, I'm thinking time
will be an issue when we de-plane also. Lucky for the rest of us, she and her
group waited for the rest of us to get off first.
Now, where am I?
Ground transportation, area 1. Go … this time it seems to only take a
couple of minutes to get to where I'm going. I can rely as much on the 'general
area' as the signs, I've been here before. No one at the ticket counter today,
buy your tickets on the bus. I barely get sat down and a driver comes in and
says "Rockford." I wave, He's here 15 minutes early. I board … there are
four of us today, unlike the almost full house two days ago.
And this
time I have the number of the taxi and call ahead, he'll be waiting when I get
there … I've gained 1-1/2 hours over last trip, just by knowing the
routine. And both me and the driver know where we are going, that helps too.
We pass a mall and I ask how long it's been there? "20 years." I'm
surprised as there are still vacant fields around it, usually those types of
area's build up rather quickly.
http://www.shopcherryvalemall.com/
My truck starts slowly but runs. I'm checked out and rolling in about
15 minutes, fuel tank is almost full so I've got miles go before I stop. I'm
six hours ahead of last trip. I've logged starting at 4:30 when I got to the
airport but after talking to dispatch, they say I can use 6 AM. If I leave from
the office, it's the scheduled dispatch time, when leaving via other modes,
it's their dispatch time/flight time. That gives me another 1-1/2 hours so I
kick it down. So far I had been running 65 mph, now I bump it to 70 mph.
Passing Iowa City/Coralville, I notice emergency trucks in the
oncoming lane, then I see what is left of a semi tractor. Frame/wheels/motor
… no bigger than a small pickup was all that was left.
(I should
have taken a picture.)
Foggy today, once in a while would get above
the haze but usually in it. Visibility, usually about a tenth of a mile, seldom
more than a mile. I had planned on stopping at Bosselmans in Des Moines, but
there are no signs on the freeway and the fog was so thick that I couldn't see
the sign until I was past. Even then didn't see the sign, it was in the fog but
could see the trucks. So I ended up at the Pilot instead. Didn't take long for
me to remember why I don't like this one. Crowded and a long walk to the
building. Now I remember and won't be back, back to Love's next time.
Still foggy when I past Terrible's Casino, it has a large man holding their
billboard … I can see the billboard but can never see his head, his head
is in the clouds today.
I had hoped to get to Bethany, MO today but at
70 mph I can make Kansas City by 4:30. Hitting KC at rush hour again, traffic
holds at the speed limit most of the time. Scale is closed, rare. It looks like
I'll make it to Emporia, if I can hold it at 65. I'm hoping I gain at 70 mph
but with the hills, it's hard to keep the average up.
I pull into the
motel and have my truck parked with two minutes to spare on my 14 … too
close, but still legal. Guest House. I've already done a TripAdvisor on this
location so this one is only posted here
Check in this time takes a
little longer than last time. The clerk still only needs my CheckInn card but
the computer is slow. This time I ask about their in-house restaurant, it's
closed … from Christmas to New Years every year. So back to Bruff's. No
TripAdvisor here either.
>>>>>>>>> Bruff's
Had the Chicken, Bacon Wrap with Cheese and Broccoli soup. Soup was
good but I saved some for with my wrap. Then it wasn't so good, soup was cold
and I was full. Great flavor, felt like a pound of meat.
Waitress kept
asking if I needed anything, finally said I was 'low maintenance.' Bill was in
the usual $10 range.
>>>>>>>>> Guest House
- Emporia, KS
Restaurant was closed for a week, I had been thinking of
checking it out this time. The room I had last time that had 'just lost the
numbers off the door?' Those numbers were still gone/gone again. Temp outside
was in the 40's/low 50's. Turned the heat on when I got to the room, an hour
later when I got back from Bruff's it was still so cold I had to put on an
extra shirt, I kept the heat on high until I got up in the AM and the room was
still 'cool.' This could be an issue in colder weather. Room does have a power
outlet on the desk, so they are 'with the times.' In the AM I almost gave up
taking a shower because I couldn't get the water temp correct, it would go from
boil to ice and back again. Room itself was clean and in good repair.
Yes,
I'll be back.
Thursday - 12/30/10
I had set the alarm for
8:30 but got up at 7:45, had gone to bed around 10 PM. Yesterday I had talked
to the drop and they would be on their route until <> noon so no reason
to get up and rolling. I spend enough time on the computer to look up the bus
schedule and taxi numbers, forgot to write down the bus phone number. On paper
it looks like the bus will not work to get to the airport. I have to change
buses twice and both buses leave five minutes before my prior bus gets there.
Looks like I'll get to the last terminal and take a taxi the last couple of
miles.
Inspection, checkout … computer shuts down, they finally
make a copy of last night's check in … fuel. At the truckstop I almost cut
someone off, pumps are at an angle and I couldn't tell which line he was in.
Windy. I hold my speed at 65, feels like a headwind of 50 mph. I take my new
route, the one the tow truck driver took, comes right in by my drop. Fuel stop
is right there, didn't show on the map software but the drop said there would
be one.
Station said there had just been the same kind of truck parked
there all morning so I call dispatch to see who, will share a taxi if I can.
They have no idea, but find out a guy behind me has broken down in Des Moines
… two of three did not make it. Dispatch had called earlier to remind me
to deliver the truck full, yeah .'. that's what I told dispatch yesterday. but
they hadn't gotten the memo yet. Guess they found it.
As I get close I
see a truck backing into the customer, when I call the customer he is outside,
I think it was he who had just pulled in. He notices that some of their gadgets
were missing so they called someone else to let them know. Other than that the
truck is OK, so he signs off and we get a copy made … I'm free to go.
I got here a little after 11 AM, so I can still catch the 11:45 bus.
No idea where the bus stops are, the bus route is four blocks away … off I
hike. I don't see any bus signs but keep walking along the route. Two more
blocks and there is a train blocking the road. I think about crawling across it
but … the bus won't be able to do that. Finally it's only five minutes
until the bus should be 'somewhere' in the area so I start walking back where I
came from. I could see a cross street a few blocks back and was afraid the bus
would turn there if they saw the train.
I'm just about to the cross
street when I see the bus, I wave. The bus has to stop for a traffic signal, by
that time I'm to the bus. $1.25. When we get to the train I say it's been there
for at least a half hour and she reply's "sometimes it's there for hours
…" She calls her dispatch and asks if she can detour … she can. I had
seen traffic that looked like it had gone around the train, by the grain
elevator … that's the route we took. Washboardy dirt road ?? Driveway?
From the side street it is a steep drop coming off the railroad
tracks. Driver has been here before, she tries to angle it so she doesn't drag
the bottom. It drags. A few blocks and we are back on route. She's trying to
make up time. I ask about the 'signal noise,' she said she no longer hears it
until now … Thanks. Said she went home with a headache from the noise when
they first got the buses.
We get to the terminal and 'all the buses'
seem to be there. I ask where my next buses … she tells me. It's full,
people standing. But I'm on, I'm now an hour ahead of where I thought I'd be,
shouldn't need a taxi. Half way to the next bus change, the driver announces a
transfer, I can't hear him so I ask. No, not yet, he'll make sure he announces
'airport.' I thought we'd switch again at another terminal, nope. Two buses
stopping at the side of a field. Only two people transfer. 15 minutes and we
are at the airport.
It is 1 PM, my flight is at 4 PM. I do the self
checkin … but can't get myself a seat. Only flight out tonight so I'd
really like to be on it. As I go through security the person ahead of me phone
rings when it goes through the x-ray. Then mine rings going through x-ray. It's
dispatch, I call them back, first they say everyone is in a meeting then I'm
put on a conference call into their meeting. Just like old times :
Boss wants me to get to Kansas City and drive one of two trucks home. No. I had
asked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday AM to get one more leg to this trip. Now that
I'm past security they want me to change plans. I need to get out to my folks,
should have done it last week when I was in town for the day and didn't. Now
there is an ice storm coming in. Even if they had called this AM it might have
worked. I could have gone directly to a rental car, been in KS by now. Home or
within two hours of home by tonight. Money would have been good, one less
flight, 400 more miles paid.
Unless they change my pay I'm only making
$80 a day for this trip.
Flight home, another small plane. Alone in
the back row with the toilet. Computer lasts a half hour.
Back home,
my ride is waiting.
NTO - MOB |
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