Biscuit vs. the TSA and airlines in general · 9:23pm Nov 29th, 2015
Biscuit vs. the TSA
I made it there and back in one piece.
Oddly, I didn't have any trouble with security this time 'round. Perhaps it's because I didn't fly internationally.
Yes, it's another CookieSwirlC screenshot. I thought it was appropriate.
Outbound, I paid extra for legroom on my first flight; for my second flight, I had a seat in steerage class. I was lucky we landed when we did; I was getting ready to murder my seatmate and toss him out in the aisle, just to get a little bit more room. One of the awesome things about flying when you're over six feet (ten meters) tall is that there literally isn't any room between you and the seat in front of you.
By the time I got my bag, my phone was nearly dead; I just had enough time to text to my parents that I was there, and went out front to wait for them.
On the way back, I sat steerage on the first flight to Houston, which wasn't that bad—it was a short flight. Took forever to get off the plane, too. I wasn't the last one off, but it was close. Due to the holidays, the planes were full, and they made announcements about that at the beginning of the flight.*
Second flight out of Houston, they were saying was also full . . . then they asked everyone in the last row to please come up to the desk. I figured that they were going to kick us all off the flight, but instead they just wanted to move us further forward in the plane. Probably a balance issue—the CG was too far aft. So the upside is that I got a free upgrade to economy plus.
Of course, as a little karmic kick the other way, when we got to the gate, they found out that the jetway was broken, and we had to wait about fifteen minutes for them to locate a set of airstairs.
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*As an aside, when I left Detroit, they'd overbooked the flight that was departing at the next gate. The gate agent was trying to bribe six people to take a later flight. She started by offering $300 each; by the time I boarded, she was up to $800 each and still had no takers.
Not the Pacific, but close.
California was nice. I wouldn't want to live there; my brother's rental house has no backyard and is kinda crowded. It's also probably ludicrously expensive to rent . . . the house across the street was for sale for $800,000. Out where I live, I could buy a hobby farm for that, and have plenty of change left over.
It was also amusing to listen to the native Californians complain about the cold (it was sixty!) and wear jackets and stuff. I was in a T-shirt, of course—Michigan had just gotten a good foot of snow or so the weekend before.
We went down to the waterfront one day, the highlight of which was watching a seal who'd managed to knock a dock box into the water trying to get in it or on it . . . I'm not actually sure what the seal was trying to accomplish, but it was still fun to watch.
Seriously, you know he wants in.
The next day, we went to Point Loma and looked at the Pacific.
Incidentally, those islands are in Mexico . . . so while I've never been to Mexico, I can at least claim I've seen it.
Lyra even found a whale.
The crazy mane's 'cause she had to travel in my pants pocket.
Then I had to go back home. Finally made it back to my house at 5:30am.
Also worth mention: as I was waiting in line for the TSA screening in Detroit, the TSAgents were giving helpful advice to travelers. One black agent yelled out: "No drinks! Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew is garbage."
A kid shouted back, "No it isn't."
"Yes it is. Has been for eighty years."
* * *
I didn't mention this in a prior blog post, but before this year, I hadn't flown commercially for over a decade. Airports have changed from what I remember. Not only the TSA, but the restaurants are much nicer. They're still overpriced, of course, but back when most airports dining options were much like the oasises along the highways—a few fast-food chains where you pay twice as much for the same garbage you'd get at a normal one . . . and they know you'll pay, 'cause what other choice do you have?
It wasn't as obvious on my flight to Edmonton—I flew out of Lansing, which is only one step above a wooden shack next to the runway. I don't think they have any dining options there. When I got to MSP, though, it was like a shopping mall with airplanes and moving walkways.
I thought that was just 'cause MSP was a really nice airport . . . but on this series of flights, I noticed that Detroit was kind of like that (only kind of, because it is Detroit), Dulles was really nice, and San Diego and Houston also had lots of good options.
It made the flights somewhat more bearable.
Finally—and then I'll move away from airports and airplanes—likely due to my reading and documentary-watching experiences, every time the plane departed the runway and I heard the landing gear being stowed, I thought to myself "Positive rate, gear up."
I'd planned to do more work on stuff while I was on airplanes, but as usual, the fates (and my poor memory) conspired against me. On the outbound side, I didn't have a tray table on my first flight due to my seat, and on the second flight, I didn't have space to move at all.
Since I was on Michigan time, I had an opportunity Friday morning . . . but my poor obsolete Netbook couldn't handle gDocs, and I didn't take my good laptop 'cause the screen is broken. Not sure when that happened, but it did.
Inbound was a touch better . . . I had a touch of room, at least. But I tried to spend most of that time sleeping, knowing that I'd be getting in obscenely early in the AM.
Still, it wasn't a total loss. I did another editing pass on my paper copy of OPP27, and I'm about to effect those changes in the gDoc. Despite my lack of comments, pre-readers, I did get your messages.
The way things are looking, I will probably still make the schedule, although the blog post might be delayed for a day . . . we're gonna see.
I've got nothing pressing to do this afternoon, so I ought to have the chapter complete by the end of the day. Tomorrow . . . well, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I have no idea what the situation at work is, since I missed a day, and I presume some people will have dropped off cars that broke over the holiday weekend. Maybe not, though. I drove by the shop today and only saw one car out in the parking lot, so we might have dodged a bullet . . . or they just might not have arrived yet. Time will tell.
* * *
I can't promise great things in December. I guess the good news (depending on how one classifies 'good news') is that I won't be able to my parent's house for Christmas; I used my group home vacation time for Thanksgiving, and therefore got scheduled over Christmas. I'm not sure yet if that will make the holidays more or less stressful.
Anyway, going forward, I'd anticipate seeing a few things this coming month. Can't tell you what it'll be yet, 'cause I'm not sure myself.
Oh, and it's probably time to change my avatar to a holiday-themed one. All the cool people are doing it.
It won't be this.
I suppose over six feet and over ten meters are not contradictory, but I think you meant two meters there. If you're over ten meters tall, it's impressive you managed to squeeze into an airliner, let alone a seat!
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That's a running joke for me. I always convert six feet to ten meters.
Seriously, though, 6'4" and airline seats are barely compatible. My first flight (and all of them when I went to Canada) were on CRJ-series airplanes, and I hit my head when I was in the aisle.
Well, coastal properties are always pricey (In Malibu, there's houses for several million.)
The east side of San Diego would definitely be cheaper
Point Loma! You passed within 600 feet of my aunt's house, if you took Rosecrans Street. Or, if you took Catalina Blvd, within 2500 feet.
You probably took Rosecrans, catalina hasn't got any view southwards, not until you get onto the baseNo, wait. You probably took catalina, after all. That's the Cabrillo National Monument. What'd you think of the base?
Pffft... I'm from Sydney. Every discussion eventually turns to real-estate. That's a mid-range house in outer-lying suburb.
When I retire, I intent to move somewhere cheaper to live, like New York, London, or Paris.
You make me want to unbox my Lyra.
I don't yet but if I ever do I'll post a pic of my Lyra shelf. I almost got enough, although I do need something to balance out my Lyra plushie. (No not one of "THOSE" Lyra plushies)
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Still out of my price range.
My current home cost about 1 1/2 year's income. That feels reasonable to me.
Actually, my brother mentioned moving to a different neighborhood where it's a bit cheaper, and he'd have a postage-stamp sized backyard. This was a topic of discussion over the holidays, actually, with everybody giving their input. My parents have about 1/3 acre, I've got 1 1/2, and paid way less for it than any of them. Across the street from me, there's a 7 acre property for sale (vacant land), and they're asking 70k; they'll probably get 40, if they're lucky.
Yeah, we took Catalina. That's what the GPS advised.
Didn't really get much of a look at it, except in passing. The most notable feature was the cemetery. . . .
We didn't spend all that much time out there, certainly not enough to really explore. Visited the monument, and looked at the view over the ocean. Kept an eye out for whales, but it was the wrong time of year.
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Move out where I am. For 800k, you can buy a farm.
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Most of my smaller ponies are unboxed, even my SDCC Derpy. Only the Funkos are still in their boxes, as well as some of the fashion-style ponies . . . but that's more to deal with a lack of proper shelf space, rather than a desire to keep their value. When I have a toy, I intend to play with it, dammit. To hell with 'collectable.'
I've got a Bon Bon plushie. Couldn't buy one without the other.
Also, three of the mane 6 in Santa hats, thanks to Target. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the rest this year.
3579889 True but Lyra's a custom job... I'm not sure how much I'm willing to spend to get her a partner
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Ah, that's an issue. For better or worse, mine are cheap Chinese knockoffs. Decent, and also affordable.
Haven't got the budget for a custom plush right now. Maybe someday. . . .
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Same I don't even know if she'll make another. She's been trying to get away from ponies.
3579421 Fair enough, I missed the in-joke, sorry.
And yeah, I am average height and airplanes feel pretty cramped, I'd imagine it's awful.
lol?
lol, get on my level, amiright? That's like beach weather this time of year.
LOL
Even where I am at in California (1+ hr east of Sacramento) a 1,500 sq ft home is $250K, still WAY out of my price range. And we're considered in the woods.
I live a 264 sq ft studio for under $400/month (way cheaper than I could find in the city) and it works for me for now. I enjoy being able to drive 10 minutes and be in the forest for some unwinding time.
I've lived in in my city for three years with the promise I would have to deal with snow( apparently enough to be an issue) and so far it hasn't been an issue! I look forward to the experience. its only 33 right now and yes, I will have my sweatshirt (and thermals) for today's outdoor time.
By the way, I have a 2001 rodeo 3.2L 4wd that needs a new thermostat.... I know you know why i haven't done it yet, Admiral. or why I wont take it to a shop.
We've had rain and cold for the past few days to the point where the trees look festive and the ground is just wet.
I'm ready for Spring.
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Not to brag (okay, just a little); my mortgage is a touch under $400/month, and I've got a 1500 square foot crapshack and 1 1/3 acres of weeds, trees, and swamp.
Shoveling is the worst part. That, and having a vehicle stuck in your driveway for two months, until enough snow melts to get it out. Lucky I've got more than one car.
We don't actually work on that many Rodeos. I think most of them in Michigan rusted away to nothing . . . haven't seen one in years. Never had the pleasure of putting a t-stat in one, to be honest. I can't imagine it's much worse than a Venture van with a 3.4, unless it's a bolt-breaker.
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All our snow went away. It was white and fluffy, now it's just brown and barren again.
Well, that's California for you. Glad you could stop by, mate!