Safety and Security Come First

Safety and Security Come First

It is actually May 17, 2012, and I am in the Radisson in Providence, RI. I am very tired, but too tired to sleep. Most of the clothing in my suitcase is soaked, and I have hung some up, hoping it will dry some overnight.
The day became weirder and weirder. Our flight that was going to be late by almost three hours was rescheduled to be late by just an hour. As we were getting ready to board the plan, it was determined there was a mechanical problem on the plan, and the next available plane did not arrive until almost 8 PM. Which would get us into Providence after 1030. I called the hotel and rental car to confirm my reservations, but to let them know that I would be late. We finally were airborne.
There was constant turbulence on the flight. So much so, the attendants stayed seated the entire flight. When someone lit the call button, it was answered, and then we were told not to do that unless it was an emergency, and to stay in our seats, not even to get up to use the restroom. We were diverted to Baltimore because the fog was so bad at Providence. The turbulence was so bad the attendants stayed seated and used “the honor system” for pre-landing instructions.
Most people were disgusted with the fog excuse. We landed in Baltimore and had to change planes. The trip to Providence was uneventful, and mostly clear, until we were in our final descent. The fog was so thick we could not see ground lights or anything. A buzz went up, people were finally aware how dangerous this situation was. But the air cleared as we closed in on the ground, and the landing was a safe one.
With the airline, safety and security came first. Intellectually, I know that is right, but I sometimes “push it.” Like my decision to try to drive into York after we were supposed to land at 10:30 at night. I knew I was tired, and driving in the dark on unfamiliar roads would be quite a trial. Which is why I opted for the Providence route, as, if it happened as scheduled, I would have landed early enough that the trip would not have been a trial.
As we were flying towards Providence from Orlando, I was stressed and had to re-think my decision, but kept thinking I would try the trip. God took it out of my hands, as the diversion to Baltimore ensured that we landed well after the car rental counters were closed. I called the rental dealer and changed my reservation for in the morning.
I got a hotel in Providence. My room is paid for at the resort where my niece’s wedding will be, so I can check in when I get there, rather than wait for check in time.
I need to remember that safety and security should always come first, no matter the price.
I have been putting off getting the tree near the house trimmed. But there are some dead branches in it, and they could easily be pulled off the tree in high winds, and do damage to the house. I have decided to contact a tree trimmer. It will be less expensive than the deductible on an insurance claim. Safety and security do come first.
　
　

Vacations experiences

Last year, in the autumn, I took a driving trip to northeast New Mexico.  It was a short trip, but filled with long hours of comfortable, back roads but good highway driving, sightseeing, good eating, comfortable hotel time, and in general just nice, relaxing time.

The leisure, release and relaxation I enjoyed on that trip sustained me for quite some time, and even now, as I recall it, I can  also recall the relaxed feeling I experienced.

That is what a vacation should engender: nothing rushed, nothing stressful or hectic, nothing untoward.

This past June I took a trip that was very nice, but not as relaxing.  There were some issues: driving an unfamiliar car, driving in a big city instead of small towns and country roads, an airline issue which was minimal from my perspective, but still, a little stressful.  It was still a great vacation, but not as refreshing as my trip to New Mexico last autumn.

As we go through life, we can appreciate the changes we make, and what works and does not work for us.  I know myself, and driving trips are so much more pleasant for me.  Having control works for me.  Back roads and country atmospheres work for me.

But, if I did not experience other environments, other changes, I would not appreciate what works for me.

A Little Sleep

As is usual when I travel, although I was able to get to bed at reasonable hours, I had little real sleep. I spent most of my nights dozing until very early in the morning. This happens for several reasons, only one of which is that I am excited about the next day’s activiites, and am eager for the time to wake up. I can sustain this kind of sleep for several days, and did so on my trip to Seattle. I arose early, not tired, and was eager for the day’s events. I pursued through the day, and finished in the early evening, returning to rest to my hotel room. I did not sleep until late, but used the early evening as recuperative resting time.

Until the last night of my trip, when, with the diverted plane flight, things were unsettled for some time, I did fine.  I did not do poorly even when my trip was diverted. I think we finally got to the hotel  in El Paso about 9 PM. I was tired but not sleepy, and knowing me, this combination means I will not sleep if I try. So, I stayed up until I was sleepy. Which was fine, except, of course, once again I slept that drifting in and out sleep which does not give me the rest I need. It was about midnight when I went to bed, and I arose at 4 AM as planned, to be ready to get to the airport in time to get my flight to Dallas. I got to Dallas, and had a 2 and a half hour lay-over go get to Lubbock. There is simply no flight sooner than that. But, I got home

Flying to Where?

My flight home from Seattle was to include a stop in Albuquerque,where I was to take a connecting flight to Lubbock. As we flew into Albuquerque, the air was thick with smoke, and the wind was stout. It was decided to divert the plane to El Paso, the plane’s alternate landing area, and the next stop on this multi-leg flight to Austin. Those passengers scheduled to debark in El Paso were allowed to do so, and the airline found a connecting flight to Dallas for many other passengers.

So, on June 7, I was in the El Paso airport once again, at 5:30 AM. Monday, June 6, 2011 was the day that I was scheduled to return to Lubbock from Seattle. But it did not happen.

For those of you who do not know about flying Southwest, the schedule for my flight home was not that unusual: I was on a plane that was scheduled to land in Albuquerque; I was to deplane, with many others, and would fly into Lubbock from Albuquerque. The plane was scheduled to go on to El Paso, and then Austin, Texas. 

After about 30 minutes on the ground in El Paso, it was determined we would be on the ground 30 minutes or more still, so we were encouraged to deplane and use the amenities. They resurrected some old plastic boarding passes and let us off. Shortly thereafter, they told those of us going to Houston, Midland-Odessa and Lubbock that we would be put up in a hotel for the night, and we were on scheduled confirmed flights on June 7 AM. I had taken my carry on bag with me, thinking I would play with the computer, so did not need to go back to the plane and get anything.

I am not sure what happened to the others, but Southwest was trying to get the plane back to Albuquerque to return those passengers going to Albuquerque, pick up the people in Albuquerque who were trying to get to El Paso and Austin, and then return to El Paso, then Austin.

So, June 6, 2011, I spent the night in the Radisson at the El Paso Airport. It included free Internet, and a breakfast voucher, but I had to leave about 4:30 AM to get to the airport for my 6 AM flight, which would take me to Dallas, then to Lubbock, arriving about 12 noon.When I checked out, the clerk at the hotel tried to charge me for my room. I have to wonder; when I told her I was on a voucher, she did not object, and acted like it was in the system. So, I have to wonder if sometimes, they charge twice, and the staff make some money. Is that so very negative? Skeptical?

The airport is right next to the hotel. The shuttle driver was very informative: he is working on a master’s degree in health administration, and his day job is in a clinic in Juarez, which he claims is a safe city during the day. He also suggested I visit the University of Texas at El Paso Museum which has a lot of archaeological/historical displays, when I next visit El Paso. Food for thought.