Tuesday. November 6, 2001

a warmer, cuddlier airline

"Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away."

"For What It's Worth" Buffalo Springfield, 1966

I have to get up early so I can make this nice direct flight and get to LA. I'm having a good snooze when I have to wake up.

I put everything I need for my one night stay in my backpack. Computer, cords, cell phone, toothbrush and stuff, clean underwear, socks, shirt, slacks. I wear my trusty black blazer. I get an upgrade (thanks, Ann, you are the best) and head for the security line. They are still making you pull out your computer but you get a plastic tray. A sign says 'one bag per passenger.' This seems to be largely ignored. The guy in front of me has two bags and coats and takes forever. He has so much that he is using one of those airport carts. The friendly staff pushes it around the security area for him to a National Guardsman. Does he actually inspect it or just hold it for the overloaded guy? How hard would it be to secret knives or other weapons on the cart? Are we paranoid now or what?

So I watch the pale orange and pink sunrise and wait for my flight. Listening to some rock music and then country. Austin artists all, I assume, but I don't recognize it. First class is full and I have a window seat. The pilot announced that the plane now has reinforced doors.

I read the American Way magazine and then some other magazine that they provide for First Class and look at the catalog of goods they offer. Everyone offers goods. I get the cereal and fruit breakfast because, you know, you can cut a banana with a plastic knife.

After I've eaten I need to go to the bathroom. When I see the one in front is free, I get up. It takes a little time to get my seatmate to let me out. A guy jumps up and gets the toilet. So, no problem. I'll just wait.

"The bathroom is occupied. You have to go back to your seat."

"But I'll have to crawl over my seatmate two more times," I protest.

"Well, stand back there. We can't have anyone standing here." I guess not. Reinforced door or not. I go back to the bathrooms in the back. Coach is less than half full I'd guess. Not good for the airlines. No.

I go back to my seat, bother the woman in the aisle seat again and work some crosswords I brought along clipped from the paper. It's only a three hour flight. Not bad.

The attendant comes up some minutes later and says, "The bathroom is free."

"I went to the back," I say.

"People kept jumping up and going in there. I kept thinking, that poor woman."

Nice of her to think about me. One more silly thing that didn't make the flight any safer.

We arrive early in LA. I go straight outside (no luggage) and take a cab to my hotel near the convention center. It's too early to get the room but I get one assigned and walk to the convention center. The opening session of the convention is going on. Someone has gotten me a badge so that I can go to my meeting. So I register and they give me a briefcase with agendas and white papers and a badge. I slip into the meeting and sit in the dark and listen to the claims about this company's software. After the meeting adjourns, I check in at our company's booth and check out other vendors. Then I have the banquet lunch provided. Just so I can listen to some of the random attendees talk.

After lunch, I wander about, go back to the hotel and check in and leave most of my stuff there and then meet a colleague to discuss the meeting that has brought me all this way. I meet another colleague and we are standing around our company's booth, pretty sure that the attendees are more interested in tee shirts and the food being served than a technical discussion.

So we grab a cab and go to place in downtown LA, Cafe Pinot, and sit on the patio, overlooking some kind of garden. I have tuna tartare and veal cheek ravioli with morels. I order a 2000 Caymus Conundrum since my companion likes whites.

We grab a cab and head back for a good night's sleep. I'm gone shortly. It's late at home. It makes me tired to fly.

Meta:
Back, catching up.

JUJUST TYPING
Safety.
Is getting the right person.
Out of society.
Risking.
Everyone's freedom and society's efficiency.