Flying High
Up at 4:45 for the limo at 5:15 to take me to San Diego Airport for the 7 am nonstop to Boston on Alaska Air.
I notice there is no pre-chek on my boarding pass, but the TSA agents wave me into the pre-chek line so I must have missed something. However, I’m chosen at random for a gunpowder test on my hands. This takes about 30 seconds. I go through the machine, but then I’m randomly chosen for a shoe test! (Apparently, I have dangerous looking extremities.) This takes about 30 seconds. I’m laughing at the irony of being an exception to an exception, but I still cleared security in 90 seconds and the TSA people were really professional and cordial.
At the top of the escalator I notice a VERY long line, but then realize it’s for Starbuck’s, people voluntarily waiting ten minutes to procure what I consider very average coffee. The barrista, or whatever the overblown title is, is screaming at the crowd, “We’re out of soy mild!! We’re out of mocha!!” as if to undermine a potential revolt.
I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines, though I had heard good things. The flight was filled to the gills, and the service was outstanding.
When I was flying coast to coast in late 70s, the new 747 was put on the route, piano bar and all. This week, I flew from Miami to San Diego and San Diego to Boston on 737s. You could fit a couple of these inside of A380s. I always wonder whether the 737s will have enough fuel if the wind is against us.
The guy across the aisle from me has a three-ring binder open, two pages showing at a time of about a hundred in there. Each page is stamped in two-inch, red letters “CONFIDENTIAL,” and anyone can see it and read what’s in there. I guess on public conveyances it’s not confidential.
The US Grant Hotel sent my bill electronically, and I opened it on the plane to find to my pleasant shock that the Presidential Suite had cost me $480 a night, and the final night was free. And people ask why I pay for Black Card membership.
I worked with two of my mastermind (Growth Cycle) groups in Miami, and facilitated the Elite Retreat in San Diego with very smart, fun-loving people. My new Corvette Stingray convertible is being shipped in tomorrow for pickup on Tuesday. The way the weather is, I’m hoping to drive it by May!
© Alan Weiss 2014
Darren China
I remember your orange corvette from long ago. Will the new one be orange as well?
alan WEISS
Deep red. There’s a photo on Facebook, and I’ll put more up on the blog once I pick it up tomorrow.
Kevin Wunderly
I’m currently sitting in the San Diego airport waiting for my flight while reading this and apparently I was also randomly chosen as well for the gunpowder test. I was able to go through the metal detector without having to remove my shoes, belt or my laptop from its case. It took me about 90 seconds as well. If only we could make this the norm, flying might be a bit more enjoyable!