London Apr. 18: Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

There was a long line at security and one of the reasons for it was that the TSA agent on the X-rays was being trained. Do you have to train him at peak time?

Eventually, we cleared, checked our gates and headed there. My other two colleagues headed to one Presidents Club and I headed towards the one in Terminal E as it was closer to my gate.

I decided to go and get a ticket for the flight from London to Toronto to Houston on Air Canada (AC). On my way there, I ran into a colleague who was heading to San Diego, CA (SAN). Unfortunately, he did not make the earlier flight and had to wait for the next one in about an hour and a half or so.

I got my ticket expeditiously and then headed for the Presidents Club at about 6:20p. After collecting some reading material, some snacks and beverages, it was time to leave and head to gate E20 for the flight. While I was in the Club, I heard an announcement for CO34 to Gatwick, huh? That flight should have left at 4:00p and it was still here. I looked at the board and it was now scheduled to leave at 6:43p. Ouch, I wondered what happened. I was actually tempted to take it, but refrained.

When I got there, the agents were checking the passports so there was a bit of a queue at the gate. I waited my turn and got my boarding pass for an aisle seat in the second of three Economy class cabins. I was in luck too, as this seat had in seat power.

I got on the boarding line just as the agent said they were boarding all rows.

London Apr. 18: Leaving downtown Houston

So, the decision was made, London it is.

I was going to take the 5:30p bus which arrives at 6:21p with a colleague who was heading to Memphis, TN (MEM) to visit a company down there at some God awful hour of the night. Another colleague was going to the airport, but had mentioned that he was taking an earlier flight, but if that changed he would let me know and that I could ride with him.

As I was about to leave at 5:00p, my colleague returned and said that his meeting ran late so he would take me. I asked if it was O.K. to take my other colleague and he said yes. I then called him and advised him of the situation.

The drive to the airport was not an issue. We did not even have to use the HOV lanes. We pulled into Fast Park and in no time were at Terminal C.

Lee - Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Shanghai, People's Republic of China (PVG) 4/18

DL19 18APR08 Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Shanghai Pudong International, Shanghai People's Republic of China (PVG) 10:05a 1:45p +1 day 777

Flight Time: 15:40
Seat Map

We start boarding 45 minutes before departure and I am the first person to board the aircraft. I put away my bags and get comfortable for the 15 hour and 40 minute flight. I find the handicap restroom so that I can later change into my Singapore Airlines (SQ) PJs I packed for the trip.

When I left for my Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) business trip, I also packed for this weekend trip just in case I could not get home due to taking bump (I always plan to take a bump if it looks good). I then went to the flight deck and asked the relief captain how close to MTOW (max take off weight) we were. The 2nd. longest flight on the Delta Air Lines (DL) map clocked in at 649,000lbs with a MTOW of 656,000lb so we had a little more room for cargo or fuel.

The Captain after finding out I am plane buff got up to stretch before the flight and let me sit in the left seat. The First Officer showed me the Fight Management System (FMS) computer that had our planned course already programmed. Today we would take a northerly route to the 78th parallel and then back down over Russia and into China.

I returned to my seat at 4J and was immediately greeted by one of the 11 flight attendants (FA) on the flight today. The purser, Tim, came by and introduced himself to each person in Business when he handed out the menus. After looking over the selection, I chose the Lobster Bisque for an appetizer and the Filet of Beef prepared by Michelle Bernstein, DL’s current celebrity chef for their business class for my main course.

I indulged in both white wines; the Torrenes from Argentina with starter of seared Tuna and the Sauvignon Blanc with my soup. I then switched to an Italian Red for the main course. Each time, Catherine, the FA in charge of the group of seats I was in, completed proper wine presentation with a tasting pour first. I finished with fruit and cheese and then an ice cream sundae with a Baileys and coffee.

I am completely stuffed and finishing up these blogs while watching some HBO on the AVOD system. After completing the meal, I changed into my SQ PJs from First Class and got some strange looks from the other customers and I must say it is kind of strange changing into PJs to go to sleep at what is 1pm EDT. Oh well, I plan on arriving well rested as I, just like the crew, only have 26 hours in PVG. I am excited that I will have the same crew returning as that increases my chance of free booze in Economy class (Y) on that long of a flight. More to come after sleep. :-).

So I woke up after my nap with still 9 hours to go. I got some good sleep and now am up with the crew. I have taken extra time to meet as many of the FAs as I can since I will be returning with them on Sunday. The crew has been great and the lead FA for Economy, Bonnie, wanted to see the A380 flight pics although only none of them fully understand why I would travel to Shanghai for a day. I wanted to get to know Bonnie and the Economy crew since they will be taking care of me on my return flight. Smiles and small talk can go a long way towards perks during the flight home. Part mileage, all experience, and stories and pics for a lifetime.

With still 4 and a half hours left I have come to a sad conclusion: AVOD needs more storage. I have watched every movie I wanted to see and have listened to my play list too many times to count. Its going to be a long flight home…

Lee - Atlanta, GA (ATL) - check in at E concourse for Shanghai (PVG)

18APR08 Atlanta Hartsfield International, Atlanta GA (ATL)

Checking in for the flight
We pull up to A concourse in ATL and I quickly transferred to E concourse where Delta Air Lines (DL) has a full service check in desk. I did not have any checked bags and did not want to leave the sterile area to have to re-clear security in ATL on a Friday morning.

I go to check in and hit a road block – the check in agent has to pull miles for the upgrade to J class and re-issue the ticket but notices I have a T class fare instead of the Y class I was re-booked into to allow the upgrade.

She reads the notes on the PNR (reservations) and goes and checks with a supervisor. After about 15 minutes of stress and thinking that I would be sent back to Economy (Y), she gets the O.K. to finish what the JFK supervisor has started. She pulls the mileage and prints my J class boarding pass and off to the Business Elite lounge I go.

I am granted access to the lounge, grab a glass of Champagne to celebrate my weekend get-away. There are great views of the Boeing 777-232ER going to Tokyo-Narita, Japan (NRT) and you can also see our 777-232ER a couple of gates away.

I finish some work stuff and send some emails and pull up the seat map to Shanghai, People's Republic of China (PVG). To my astonishment and happiness, I find a window seat in the forward cabin, and the aisle seat is also free. I immediately go to the gate to check in there and show my visa to the agents and to get a seat change. A lead agent processes my request and I ask if possible to keep the aisle seat free next to me. She said, no promises, but would try to see what can be done.

Lee - Washington National (DCA) to Atlanta Hartsfield, Atlanta GA (ATL)

DL801 18APR08 Washington Reagan National, Washington D.C. (DCA) to William B. Hartsfield International, Atlanta GA (ATL) 6:00a 7:44a 757

Seat Map

So I get up at 4:20 a.m. in order to call a cab to take me to the airport. They will not take advanced bookings and the desk clerk says they need 15-20 minutes to get to the hotel. I am not happy as I didn’t get to sleep until after 12:30 a.m. due to the late arrival and a headache.

I check in without problems and promptly sleep the entire flight – only to wake up to turn off my noise-canceling headset.

Lee - New York-JFK to Washington-National (DCA)

DL6024 17APR08 John F. Kennedy International, Queens NY (JFK) to Washington Reagan National, Washington D.C (DCA) 8:20p 10:00p CR9 operated by Freedom Airlines, Inc.

Seat Map

After our delay waiting for the Captain, we push back at 9:20 p.m. and get in line as about number 32. We waited on the ground for 45 minutes to take off.

I sleep the whole way until final approach and I see we are doing the river approach from the north into DCA. I love this approach as it gives great views of DCA and I am on the left side of the plane to see them. It also involves several turns including a last minute bank over the 14th street bridge to line up with the runway. And the ending is always the best and the same: water…water…water… then plant hard onto the runway reminding me of an aircraft carrier every time followed by heavy thrust reversers and brakes to stop on the short 7,000 ft runway.

What to do this weekend?

I think I may be heading to London via Amsterdam this weekend to see some friends. I have a lot of choices this weekend:

1. Accompany a friend to Shanghai, People's Republic of China (PVG) leaving on the first flight out to Atlanta tomorrow morning or meet him there on Sunday having flown to London/Frankfurt/Paris/Amsterdam on Friday night and then fly back on a Delta flight with him
   
2. Visit friends in N.Y.
3. Visit friends in Alkamar, Netherlands, but I would have had to leave last night
4. Head to Mexico City to see my friend Alexis

Decisions, decisions...Which one would you do?

Alexis-Mexico City, Mexico: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS) to Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) II

16APR08 Piarco International, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago (POS)
I arrived at Piarco International Airport at approximately 5:30 a.m.; later than I had planned to, but a good time to arrive because there were only a few people in the line. I was all checked in by 5:45a with enough time to get something to eat before my 6:20a boarding time. I went through to departures at 6:05a.

I was surprised to see personnel at the departure tax booth as earlier this month it had been announced that departure tax would be included in the price of the ticket. I was asked which airline; when told American, the agent waived me through. So I am guessing that not all airlines have been collecting the departure tax necessitating this continued manual collection. After going through security I had only about five minutes before boarding began. I was in Group 2 so I was on board fairly quickly and settled in.

AA1818 16APR08 Piarco International, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago (POS) to Miami International, Miami FL (MIA) 7:05a 11:05a 757

Seat Map

As the flight was not full boarding was completed in a short time. At 6:53a, twelve minutes before the 7:05a scheduled departure, the captain announced that we were waiting only on the final loading of cargo and luggage and we would be on our way. Five minutes later we pushed back.

On taxi out we crossed the runway at the intersection. The terminal at Piarco is north of the runway and the parallel taxiway does not go all the way to the end so an aircraft has to cross and taxi down the south taxiway to get to the runway threshold for departure. Just as our aircraft got to the end of the taxiway, a DHL Boeing 727 from Venezuela landed and we taxied onto the runway. I watched as DHL turned on the runway and taxied back to exit to the south ramp. At the same time a Caribbean Airlines (BW) Dash 8 crossed at the intersection. Then we began our take-off roll. As we went by the south ramp I noted with some satisfaction that DHL was already at its gate and applauded the efficiency of the controller on duty.

This is a good time to indicate that I am an air traffic controller working at the Piarco Control Tower and the Piarco Area Control Centre. I am also the deputy president on the executive board of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA). It is in this capacity that I am off to Mexico City to attend the IFALPA conference and the ICAO workshop I mentioned previously.

The flight to Miami went by rather quickly – I could not get any power from the power port so decided not to use my computer; and the movie was August Rush, which played on each leg of my journey to Arusha, Tanzania last month to attend our own (IFATCA’s) annual conference – so I spent the flight reading most of the American Way magazine.

Miami International, Miami FL (MIA)
We arrived early – 10:50 a.m. – as the captain had promised. Immigration was rather slow I found and I did not clear customs and rechecked my bags until 11:40 a.m. I spent some time in the bookstores searching, unsuccessfully, for a book I wanted before going through security at 12:20p. My gate was C7 and I got there at 12:38p. Again boarding went smoothly and doors were closed by 1:25 p.m.

AA2177 16APR08 Miami International, Miami FL (MIA) to Mexico City International, Mexico City Mexico (MEX) 1:40p 4:05p 738

Flying Time: 3:10
Seat Map
We took a while to leave the gate - I actually had time to start writing this entry on my computer - but were airborne quickly after pushback with only a short taxi to the runway. At 2:26 p.m. the captain apologised for the short delay in leaving Miami and indicated that with a flying time of 3:10 we should be arriving in Mexico City at 4:10 p.m.

Lucky me! The movie again is August Rush, but the power port is working so I can use my computer. I have a lot of reading to catch up on and several documents to write so I can get a start on that right now as soon as I fill out my Immigration and Custom forms and finish the Sudoku I started in the American Way.

Mexico City International, Mexico City Mexico (MEX)

So after an uneventful, but productive flight, I arrived in Mexico City just after 4 pm local time. We had a bit of a wait for a gate position and after disembarking, there was a long walk to immigration and customs, which was over with very quickly and I was officially in Mexico.

I hope my return goes as smoothly.

Lee - New York-JFK layover

16APR08 New York-John F. Kennedy International, Queens NY (JFK)

JFK layover
We get into JFK at 5:00 p.m. which is prime-time for trans-Atlantic departures and I have never seen so many Delta Air Lines (DL) planes in the remote parking areas getting prepped for their long journeys. I got to see one of the new Delta 777-200LRs during its ground time before departure to Mumbai, India (BOM). I was supposed to be on the first revenue flight to Los Angeles, CA (LAX) but mis-connected due to snow in Birmingham, AL (BHM). SNOW IN BHM?!?! Oh well, I am still a little bitter…

So I go by the gate (#20) for the Atlanta, GA (ATL) flight to see if there are any Gate Agents there. The flight loads I got off of http://www.expertflyer.com/ showed the flight was sold out and I know from my experience, there could be a good chance for a bump, or I volunteer my seat in exchange for a flight voucher for future travel if Delta needs the seat because more people show up for the flight than seats they have. With good weather in JFK the chances of misconnects drop and the bump opportunities increase.

I talked to a Gate Agent and she took my information, as they would probably need volunteers. The routing the agent offered was Economy class on the 6:15a departure tomorrow morning and it gets into ATL at 8:44 a.m. I did not like that option as I have to check in by 8:55 a.m. and I would only have 11 minutes in a perfect world to check in and we all know JFK operations and how often that would happen. So I go to the Delta Crown Room Club (CRC) and use expertflyer to find a better routing. I would go JFK-DCA [Washington Reagan National] at 8:50 p.m. and get in at 10:00 p.m. on a Bombardier CRJ-900 and then stay overnight in DCA and leave on the 6:00 a.m. flight that gets in at 7:44 a.m. First class was available on both flights so I knew I could get confirmed F instead of Y.

I go down to the gate at boarding time and the gate agent definitely needs the volunteer. They are so overbooked that she processes my voucher for 400.00 now instead of making me wait around the gate until departure. I get my confirmation and new F boarding passes to DCA. Since I added a segment, I had to get a paper ticket for an online transfer in conjunction for the routing change. I still have my Shanghai flight on my mind and am hoping to find a way to get into Business Elite on that flight.

I am worried about the hotel situation because the Gate Agent told me to check in DCA on getting a hotel (DL would provide). I go outside security to the medallion check-in in Terminal 2 and there is a “red coat” at the check-in desk. Red Coats are supervisors that can bend rules and make things happen when needed. I ask him about the hotel and he calls the DCA station to make sure they would have a hotel for me. After a long delay, he gets confirmation that I will not have any problems.

During this layover, I am discussing my flight to Shanghai and after I pull out some of my tricks and secrets, when its all said and done I am able to use miles to upgrade my flight tomorrow to Shanghai.

After getting confirmation, I am bouncing off the walls with excitement – I just turned a $600 RT ticket into a $5,000 OW ticket with an Economy return! It has been a REALLY good day.

Lee - Cincinnati, OH (CVG) to New York - JFK, Queens NY (JFK) in First Class

DL160 16APR08 Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Covington KY (CVG) to John F. Kennedy International, Queens NY (JFK) 3:05p 5:21p 73H

Seat Map

As a platinum medallion for Delta Air Lines (DL), I get free space available upgrades to first class domestically and my upgrade cleared in advanced so I knew I would have a comfortable flight.

I chose this flight to get on the 73H, which is a new configuration in the Delta fleet. The 73H has been equipped with winglets and the Panasonic AVOD system for each seat and 24 channels of live TV on domestic flights. These planes are used almost exclusively for transcon flights and I found out from our lead flight attendant that it would be continuing to Portland, OR (PDX) from JFK.

After an uneventful flight, we descent over Newark Liberty International, Newark NJ (EWR) airport which is an awesome site from 10,000 feet. We land on runway 22L and taxi in without delay.

Lee - Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Covington KY (CVG) and the layover

DL5088 16APR08 Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Covington KY (CVG) 11:30a 1:55p CRJ operted by Comair

Seat Map

This was an uneventful flight – slept the whole way. We arrived into CVG around 1:35 p.m. and my flight to John F. Kennedy (JFK) leaves at 3:15 p.m.

I transfer over to B concourse from the Regional Jet (RJ) hell of C concourse and find the outback open for lunch. I set up my laptop and connect to the internet from the Delta Crown Room lounge on the floor above and get online to do some work and check emails.

Lee - Heading to Cedar Rapids (CID) airport

16APR08

To the airport: I had a computer install in Waterloo, IA, which is about an hour from CID. I leave the store at the last possible time due to some problems at 9:30am. I have an 11:30am flight to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Covington KY (CVG) but had a lot on my mind as we had some major problems with the new registers we installed that caused our customer problems during their breakfast rush.

I ended up missing my exit and went east instead of south and I didn’t realize it until I was almost 10 minutes off path. I thought, oh my God, I might miss my first flight. I have flown 400 segments in the last 3 years and (knock on wood) never missed a flight that I did not plan on changing to a later flight.

I frantically pull out the map from the rental car company and found a cut through road that will help me make up time. I start speeding to try to make up time but my estimates have me at the airport 20 minutes before departure.

I have a bag that must be checked due to tools and Delta Air Lines (DL) has a hard 30 minute cut off for baggage on the computer and I have learned on another trip there is no way to override this cut off.

As I am racing towards the CID airport, I try calling the airport to get in touch with the DL counter – but to no avail, no one will give me the phone number or connect me to talk to an agent. I hope to get an agent to pre-print my bag tag since I know I can make the flight but not the cut off. I call a friend who works with ASA (DL connection) that I met in my former hometown of Wilmington, NC (ILM). He used to work as a Gate Agent in ILM and now travels to open up new stations – I knew he might be get the number if he is working at a station.

I get a text message back saying “In a meeting in ATL, will call you in a few.” I think, oh @#$@ I am screwed. I sent a text message to him explaining the situation and hope. 10 minutes later he sends me back just the phone number to the station – how he got it, I don’t know. I call the station and get an agent to pre-print the tag and now I know I am good to go with a huge sigh of relief. I have to make these flights as I leave tomorrow morning to go to Shanghai, People's Republic of China for a weekend trip.

Alexis-Mexico City: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago to Mexico City, Mexico

So Kerwin, believing that we mere mortals have the energy that he does, has invited me to blog about this trip. It is a good opportunity as I plan to start my own soon.

I am heading off to Mexico City, Mexico to attend two meetings, the 63rd Conference of the International Federation of Pilots' Associations and a Workshop by the International Civil Aviation Organisation on States Safety Programmes and Safety Management Systems Implementation.

I leave Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS) in a couple hours for Miami, FL (MIA) and then to Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) on American (AA). My ride to the airport should arrive soon, so I am off.

Until later,

Alexis

Atlanta, GA: Movies of takeoffs

Enjoy this Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 taking off as well as an Boeing 737-300 taking off at Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH).

Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 taking off


Continental Airlines Boeing 737-300 taking off

Atlanta, GA: Awaiting a flight

12APR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

Clearing security was easy and then we headed to the gate. We got to the gate at about 1:30p and saw a bunch of people standing around. It was not looking good as I'd predicted.

They were able to clear two standbys who were ahead of us and we waited. Then one more lady got cleared, but had a friend who was not. They had confirmed seats on the 4:30p and the later 7:20p one respectively. The one who got cleared did not want to leave the other one but did eventually.

A lady came up to the counter and and said she had been waiting all day. She produced four standby boarding passes and a Delta ticket to the lady. I started thinking that Delta must b having MD80 issues as well. They do use the MD88 into Houston, but nothing had been reported about their issues, just American Airlines'.

Finally they had one more seat left and the lady who was next gave it to the lady whose friend had boarded before. What a nice gesture I thought. The lady said that she was on the 4:30p so it was O.K. Wow!

Dejected, we left and went to the Presidents Club after the flight had pushed back.

We had to wait for a bit as a guy was trying to gain admittance, but did not have the proper credentials. I started to say to my traveling companion that I should just have him be my guest as well. So after he walked away, I asked the agent if it was O.K. and she said, so I ran and got him. He was on the 9:05p to Sao Paolo, Brazil (GRU), so had quite a long wait.

He graciously accepted and entered with us.

We checked the flights and decided that the 4:30p was not going to work either. I called my sister and she said that she was in Austin, TX with my dad, her husband and her son as he had a basketball game. So going to Killeen, TX (GRK) was also out. Maybe I could go to Austin, TX (AUS) and meet up with them there I thought. But alas, I decided against all that. At about 2:30p, we left the Club and headed home.

On our way home, I stopped at the Lee Road plane spotting area and got the pictures below. I also did a movie which I will add soon as well:

Atlanta, GA: Trying to get to Atlanta, GA (ATL)

After talking with my friend in Atlanta, GA, I decided to try the flight at 1:50p. It was looking dismal, and we stood no chance of making it at all. But still we pressed on.

It was a nice drive to the airport as there was no traffic. The local weather was really beautiful as we headed north. As were running late, we parked at the terminal parking in Terminal C.

Possibly no trip

I have to be in town tomorrow for an Orthodontist appointment, so no trips, maybe.

I could still go to see family in Killeen, TX (GRK) or a friend in Atlanta, GA (ATL).

Tampa Day Trip: Arriving in Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (TPA)

09APR08 Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (TPA)

On the taxi into the gate, we passed three American Airlines (AA) MD-80s that were grounded for maintenance checks.

We pulled into the gate then I deplaned. I took my computer out as I know this airport has Wifi and voila it worked. Usually, I have trouble getting this to do so. I checked some e-mail and then departed with my colleague in tow on our mission for the day.

Tampa Day Trip: Houston Intercontinental Houston, TX (IAH) to Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (TPA)

CO706 09APR08 Houston Intercontinental Houston, TX (IAH) to Tampa/St. Petersburg, Tampa FL (TPA) 7:30a 10:44a 733 N??346

Flying Time: 1 :45
Seat Map

As I boarded, I asked the flight attendant to ensure that there were two seats and there were, one at the Exit row window and the other at a forward window. I chose the forward window and my colleague too the Exit row. The flight attendant was suggesting that I take that seat, but I said the one I had was fine.

The aircraft has 12 leather seats in First class and 112 cloth seats in Economy class in a single aisle configuration.

I asked the folks at the middle and the aisle to allow me in and they did. I heard the door close and we started pushback at 7:30a sharp. At that time, the manual safety demo commenced, ending three minutes later just as the pushback was completed.

We then started our taxi out once the right engine was started. There was a Boeing 757-200 with winglets being towed out as well as a wingleted 737 from Continental getting ready to leave as well.


We passed Terminal A, I saw a United Airlines (UA) Boeing 757-200 (752) which is unusual for Houston Intercontinental. I wonder why it was there. There was also what looked like a Bombardier CRJ-700 at the gate next to, also in United colors. Aha, I think it is due to the American Airlines (AA) cancellations.

I saw an ABX Air Boeing 767-200F taxiing out to the runway. This was the first time I've seen that aircraft/airline in Houston. They are a cargo outfit based in Wilmington, Ohio.

At 7:43a, we took off on runway 33 in the bright morning. After takeoff, the lead flight attendant welcomed us on board and told us about the service today; a snack will be served.

Breakfast arrived at 8:05a, it was preceded by an announcement to watch your elbows in the aisle. It was a banana nut muffin with beverage of choice.
Alcoholic beverages if you so desired were 5 USD or you may us an inflight coupon.

The captain came on the PA once we leveled off at 35,000’ at 8:06a. He said we show an ontime arrival, the temperature was in the mid 70s, winds were from the east with scattered clouds above. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the flight and welcome aboard.

I was really tired so I fell asleep. I missed the nice view of circling the Tampa Bay area, but was able to see the St. Pete airport off in the distance. We touched down at 10:25a with ease and taxied to the gate.

Tampa Day Trip: Leaving Houston, TX

09APR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

As I already had my boarding pass, I cleared security with ease and headed for the Presidents Club. There, I had breakfast of a banana, tea and a bagel with light cream cheese. I also took the opportunity to check e-mails and other things. I also had to call my mom to finish a transaction so I did.

At 7:00a, I departed and headed for the gate. I saw my other colleagues waiting and wondered why. The flight was overbooked so we had to wait. At 7:25a, only two of us made it, so we boarded.