Well, I arrived in London early yesterday morning. Getting here turned out to be a bit of a nighmare. I flew into Washington Dulles Airport on Sunday morning about 11:30AM. I was scheduled to depart at 6:40PM. So, I did my best to kill time in the airport by reading a dozen magazines and a book I had brought and called a few friends I needed to catch up with. I had heard of a big chance of freezing rain hitting the washing ton area, well it started and just continued. I looked out and I could see icicles hanging from the wings of the plane I was to board. It wasn't long before they moved my flight out to 8PM, then 9PM, then 9:30PM, then 10:15PM. Well, about 11:30 they ended up losing the whole airport down and nothing was going out. So, I got in a LONG line to get re-ticked. I was booked for an 9:00AM flight. And sadly I lost my first class seat and ended up back in my normal economy. Major Bummer!
Next I had to find a hotel room for the night. With hundreds of people now stranded in Wash it was not an easy task. I finally found the last remaining room at the Hampton Inn. So, I headed outside to the shuttle pick-up area. I stood out in the freezing rain along with a hundred other people trying to huddle under the covered walkway for shelter. We all stood there freezing, waiting for our perspective shuttles to arrive. After about 45 minutes my shuttle arrived. I got to the hotel about 2:30 to see a line of people waiting. I finally got into my room about 3:00 AM. I had about 3 hours before I had to get up and head back to thre airport. I was so stressed, I probaby got 2 hours sleep tops.
I dragged my tired body out of bed, showered and put on the same clothes as the day before (UGH) and headed down to catch the shuttle to the airport. I could still see a coating of ice on the trees, here's a picture I took outside the hotel before getting on the shuttle:
I was concerned whether I was going to be able to fly out due to the ice. I arrived at the airport and got through security and to my gate. Luckily the flight was still on schedule. I grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and then headed back to the gate. Now y departure time had changed from 9:00AM to 10:15.. "oh no, here we go again!" I saif. After 13 hours in the airport the day before, I was beyond sick of airports. But, luckily there were no more delays and we boarded on time. A short delay to deice once on board and we were airborn.
We arrived on time, about midnight. Got through customs quickly, and down to baggage claim. Surprise, no luggage. Many bag from the scheduled flight from the night before never arrived. There was about 2 dozen of us without bags. So, I stood in line at baggage service for a good hour and finally headed down to ground transportation hoping my driver was still there. Luckily he was still there. He told me he almost left twice but something told him to stay.
Was about a 1/2 hour drive to the hotel. I got into my room about 2:30AM. I had a scheduled 9:30AM pick-up to go to Greg's Secker's house for a one-on-one training session. I had already been wearing the same clothes for 2 days and I was certain that Greg didn't want me showing up looking and smelling anything by fresh. So, I set my alarm so I could get up early enough and run to the closest shop and buy some clothes.
(tomorrow - one on one with Greg)
Here's to your success!
Bill McManus
