The flight from Chicago to Rochester was pretty uneventfully. I have had a sore throat for nearly a week and about an hour in I had a coughing fit, but luckily there was no one seated right next to me.

However, on arrival my luggage was nowhere to be found… I almost never check baggage, but with all of the handouts and supplies, it seemed a necessity this time. Now my suitcase is off gallivanting around the world. If anyone spots a mid-size rolling suitcase basking on the beach in Hawaii, please give me a call.

I filled out a report, but it’s midday Sunday and I still don’t know where the bag is. They gave me a number to call “if I had any questions”. When I tried it, a lovely voiceXML system ran me in loops. I tried all the tricks (not answering, pressing random buttons), but I could not get a real operator on the line.

Luckily, I packed the laptop and charger in me carry-on at the last minute. But, my handouts were in the case and I only have the clothes on my back.

This morning I went out to scout the local area. I thought that I cleaned up fairly nicely, even sans razor and comb, but I must have been mistaken. A really nice homeless man informed me that the salvation army had free coffee this morning and that I should join him for breakfast.

I did not find any clothing shops in the local area, just recruiting stations and adult book stores. Back at the hotel, I did pick up a brush and some other items. At noon the conference holds lunch for all of the presenters. Afterwards, I will continue my search for a clean shirt.

I love to fly. I just wish that planes didn’t take-off and land at airports.

US airports have become awkward places, where a general feeling of paranoia follows you from the security check, and all the way down the concourse. From PDX to O’Hare, I was seated near the very back of the plane. To my right sat a kindly, gray-haired woman who was traveling home to Virginia. After a few minutes sitting silently next to each other, she leaned over and spoke in a soft voice, “I’m just glad that they let me though the security check.”

“Why, did you do something wrong,” I replied. “Oh no, dear,” she continued, “they just make me so nervous. I never know what might happen.” We shook our heads in agreement.

This just all seems so in contrast with an article I was reading the other day about the golden days of air travel. In it, there were pictures of happy passengers walking down the runway to get on the plane. Latter, it showed them on board, smoking cigarettes and eating steak in the luxury of first class.

To a certain level, I understand the security, just as I understand the ban on smoking. However, something has gone wrong when an innocent, elderly woman feels that she might be detained for no reason.

(more…)

I like to fly - although I don’t do it often and the cabin pressure seems to screw with my head. Also, there is that dreaded feeling of rush, even when you arrive hours early for your flight. Sam dropped my off early and I made such quick time past security, that I was soon at the gate with time to spare.

The extra time gave me a chance to try out the airports wireless. Just before boarding my flight, I logged on to my website and initialized a WordPress blog. If everything takes, I should be able to start posting journals by the time the flight lands in Chicago.