OutdoorType

Soon to be me, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 11:33 :: Periodic updates as time and batteries and network connections allow…

IAD = ghost town?, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 11:59 :: Wtf? It took exactly ZERO minutes to get through security (ok, I’m exaggerating, but only a little. It took maybe two minute top). Also there was no wait to check my bag with US Air. The economy lots are filling up, but unlike over Veterans Day weekend there are people at every intersection waving flags and directing traffic and there were several buses waiting at the Purple Lot stop #8.

I am now sitting at the gate using one of the only nice features of my phone… its ability to hook up my laptop to the web via bluetooth.

In case of a water “landing”, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 13:38 :: In case the plane should hit the water at 500 knots, use bottom cushion for flotation.

Window seat?, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 13:47 :: Not the best window seat I’ve ever had what with it being directly behind my right shoulder and instead, where a window might normally be located, there is a pillar.

Meanwhile, we sit at the gate while the crew deals with several issues with passengers… First issue being two middle eastern looking guys who the crew seem to have a problem with (i think maybe dealing with an exit row and their ability to speak English, only one of the guys is speaking English and from his condescending reply to the flight attendant I’d wager he feels as if he is being profiled - and he probably is). Second issue was the girl who boarded with someone else’s ticket (issued to her by mistake while transferring from united to usair). She was supposed to be on a later flight and the gate attendants were confused. Compounding all this is the woman across the aisle from me who sat in the wrong seat setting off a chain reaction of musical chairs.

Hopefully we’ll be wheels up shortly!

UPDATE: The flight was smooth but the crew was clearly feeling some holiday stress. I can’t help but think the negative vibes they were casting played a role in our delayed departure. They were much more on edge than anyone else I encountered (including the crew on my next flight - Heather, btw, was the only crew member in the cabin and was extra nice and had a smile for everyone).

My barns from above, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 14:29 :: Finally in the air! We took off from Dulles flying approximately due south. Being on the left side of the plane allowed me to snap a shot of Manassas Battlefield where I have taken so many photos recently. The gray line stretching from the south east corner and heading north west is Interstate 66. The battlefield is the green patch sort of in the middle of the photo.

New plane!, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 15:52 :: Now with propellers!

Dash 8~100… Next stop HHH.

This plane seemed older than most, but it worked, and that’s all that matters.

3/4 full over HHH, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

2007/11/21 17:22 :: You can’t see it, but the moon looks amazing tonight.

Today turned out to be a good one to fly, but I’m still on the fence about driving vs. flying.  On a good day the drive from DC to Hilton Head is 8 - 9 hours. But you never know… One Thanksgiving I drove down and got stuck in a miles long backup around Fayetteville caused not by accident or weather but a TV news crew parked in the median, sat antenna extended, and camera lights blazing. The idea I’m sure was to report on the terrible traffic, but of course the traffic was flowing fine until the cameras arrived.

The point of my story I suppose is that in the end the decision to fly or drive is a crapshoot with far too many variables out of your control. And so I lucked out today.  Talk to me Monday afternoon after I fly home along with the rest of America.