Stuck in the middle

IND to DEN

DEN to IND via ORD

Occasionally, my companies policy won't allow me to fly my airline of choice. When this happens, all the special treatment that I have come accustom to disappears.  This was the case this week as I made a quick trip to Denver and back.  As I printed my boarding pass, I noticed my seat was 29 E.  Nothing good can come from a flight when your row number is close to your age, especially if you are over 30.  If sitting in the back wasn't bad enough, I was stuck in the middle. 

 A 3 hour flight with little to no personal space, Yippee!  I was lucky enough to be sitting next to a nice, elderly lady.  I watched her attempt a Sudoko game for the duration of the 3 hour flight.  She didn't get very far.  I have never played the game but after watching her, I've learned what not to do.  The other lady sitting next to me was traveling with her husband and 2 children. They were sitting across the aisle from us.  She was lodged into a book for the duration of the flight.  She hardly acknowledged me or her family.  That must have been some book.

I'm not a big guy by any means but the middle is never comfortable.  For starters, you have to share both of your arm rest.  You would think the person who has one to themselves would give a little on the co-share.  No!  I have seen people lean over and protect that thing like it was their first born child.  Hey lady, I am not excited about the situation either but C'mon man!

If having 2 people leaning towards you wasn't bad enough, the one thing that can make this worse happens.  The guy in front of me leans back. 

And not the gentle ease back either.  He pushes that button and slams back.  It's like he is claiming his territory and staking a flag in it.  If that 3 inches is the difference between you being comfortable and completely miserable, then by all means, lean back buddy.  But the slam back is a bit uncalled for.

I hope the next flight you check into to doesn't leave you in the stuck in the middle

Random Travel Thoughts

IND to DSM via ORD
DSM to IND via ORD

I dedicate this site to writing about things that see while traveling.  Things I find odd.  They may be normal to others, but they are odd to me.  The last few weeks, I have witnessed a few things that are, well, just plain dumb.

DUMB THING #1:  I use hotel business centers a lot to prepare for upcoming meetings.  These are public computers and obviously a lot of random people use them.  These random people do various things on these computers.  Twice in the last week, when I have sat down at one of these hotel public computers, I have noticed that the person before me did not log out of their GMAIL account.  I was able to see everything about their email account.  I could have easily stole their identity and lots of personal information.  How do you log into a public computer and not remember to log out?

DUMB THING #2:  This isn't something I witnessed recently, but a friend of mine had a unique experience with a fellow passenger who probably had to much to drink.  Excessive drinking is never good.  Excessive drinking in an airport is a recipe for disaster because you usually have to much time to kill.  A friend of mine was recently traveling when a man who had to much to drink sat down beside her on a long flight.  He began their conversation by telling her he wanted to wrestle her in a swimming pool.  Drunk or not, that is never a good way to start a conversation.  The inappropriate comments carried on for the duration of the long flight.  Don't get DRUNK Airports, EVER!

DUMB THING #3:  I recently got caught in some nasty weather in Omaha.  My Wednesday flight was cancelled and United told me the first opening was FRIDAY morning.  Really?  I could drive from Omaha to Indy in less time than waiting that long.  There were a lot of angry people that wanted to leave Omaha so badly.  Did I mention Memorial Day Weekend was approaching?  So the airport was busier than normal.  People were yelling like crazy at the ticket agents.  Like they controlled the Universe and those storms were all a part of their evil plan.  Don't yell at gate agents.  I admit customer service doesn't exist in the airline industry but you acting irrational is not acceptable.  Everyone is cranky.  The calm person usually wins here.

SMART THING#1:  While driving across IL this week, I spotted the below license plate.  IL is known for the amount of vanity plates per person.  But this one takes the CAKE!!!  This one hits home for me for lots of reasons.  1)  I am PURDUE ALUM!!!!  2) My wife is an IL ALUM and grew up in IL!!!!  3) I have a few friends from IL and this will burn them up. 

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the smartest person in the entire state of ILLINOIS!!!!!

Travel safe