Tag Archives: flight

Ducktanic

When I was in Singapore this past weekend, I thought about flying on to Australia.  It’s only a seven-hour flight.

This guy made that voyage by water…in the opposite direction.

world's largest rubber duck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubber Duck, a ginormous piece of conceptual art by Florentijin Hofman, was last spied bobbing about in Sydney’s Darling Harbor. Today the inflatable duck, which measures 46 feet tall and 55 feet long, arrived in Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong for a month’s stay with a little help from a much smaller tug boat.

Let’s call it a Duck Boat — it’s earned it!

35,000 feet treats

Guess who took the flight with me today from New York City to Dallas?

garrettsGarrett’s Popcorn

American Airlines is now offering the yummy treat — a favorite when I travel to Chicago — on their afternoon flights over two hours.

It’s a mix of cheese and caramel corn — that perfect combination of sweet and salty — that disappears pretty darn quickly when you are reading a good book or watching the in-flight movie or trying to ignore the screaming baby.

(The baby rode with me today as well.)

I know the airlines are always trying to find ways to differentiate themselves — I think American needs to feature Garrett’s in their ads.

It’s that good, people.

Frequent flier

Thirteen years ago, Rory and I made our first airplane trip together — from Kansas City to Craigsville Beach on Cape Cod.

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As we arrive home tonight from Kentucky — on what is easily Rory’s 30+ flight as an ‘in-cabin pet,’ I never take for granted his zen presence and sunny predisposition that make him an easy, breezy traveller.

Good dog.

Smelly cab

Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine gets in the cab that reeks of killer B.O.?

The smell stuck to her clothes — was even in her mouth — long after she got out of the taxi.

I can do her one better.

After being out of town all week — four cities in four days, two missed flights, and more airplane boxed meals than I care to remember — I excitedly jumped in the cab to get home to my dog.  And what was there to greet me?

KILLER FARTS

I say farts (plural) because it wasn’t just one that faded away as I sat there.  No, the odor was constant and cloying and seemed to invade every pore of my skin.

Elaine, if you’re out there in your imaginary world, I’m pretty sure farts trump B.O. — I win!

Which means I lose.  Oh yes, I lose BIG TIME.

Head down

The ceilings in the terminal at Miami International Airport are so low, I feel like I’m gonna bump my head.

I’m only 5’7″, folks.

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Why would any airport, your last stop before flying off into the ‘wild blue yonder,’ be so claustrophobic?  Wouldn’t it try to inspire, to remind you of the trip ahead with grand vistas and high ceilings?

This terminal is so cramped, the airplane I will soon board is gonna feel roomy.

Oh — maybe that’s the plan.

People watching

I spent part of my morning at Chicago O’Hare, one of my very least favorite airports.

(We have a history.  Nuff’ said.)

But today, I had a very enjoyable 20 minute stay.  Besides the fact that my flights were on time – shock, shock – my gate’s seating area was behind the bank of video monitors containing departure and gate information.

From my vantage point, I could watch people’s faces as they surveyed the monitors…and I have to admit, it was pretty darn entertaining.

Some people barely stopped…just a quick pause and squint of the eyes to confirm what they already knew, and they were on their way.

Others would walk up, looking totally lost and exhausted, their eyes darting around for quite some time before they landed upon their flight.  You could see the moment they latched upon the information they needed before they made their move toward their gate.

That part was funny, too.  They would often head one way, then the other, then back again.  (I’m sure I’ve done that little dance myself a time or two.)

Men often took the opportunity to adjust their pants and belt.  Kill two birds with one stone, ya know?  Very efficient.

And couples always found something to debate.  (Not efficient at all.)

Regardless of the drama, no one at the monitors seemed aware that I was watching this little slice of airport life…so I continued my shameless spying.

That is, until I turned and noticed a man sitting at a bench across the way watching me watch them with a smile on his face.

Oh well…I’m sure someone found him very funny, too.