The Side effects of the AP-Trip#6 Oct 10 Final thoughts and some TMI

[Poolrat]

Nice tiger pictures!

if you are willing to freeze, the tigers will be active.

Hey, somehow I always eat and get gas at the same time.

I try not to eat at those places when trapped in the car for hours.

I vote for a new thread. Just kidding!

You are a funny man!

 

[jillyb]

Ahhhhh....I remember all that stuff going on.

 

[Poolrat]

Ahhhhh....I remember all that stuff going on.

Seems like forever ago, or at least almost exactly one year ago.

Stressful to say the least. I was pretty confident my job was safe because I was one of the few people certified to do my job but in the Aquatics Division I have the least senority at this job.
This year is much better. No reduction so we just have to maintain to work with less.

 

[All7OfUs]

At the rate you're going, we'll be getting to our Meet date in our reports just about the same time.

 

[Poolrat]

At the rate you're going, we'll be getting to our Meet date in our reports just about the same time.

I was thinking the same thing as I put that post up.

 

[All7OfUs]

I was thinking the same thing as I put that post up.

We are the song that never ends... oh, we go on and on, my friend...

 

[Poolrat]

We are the song that never ends... oh, we go on and on, my friend...

Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was.....

 

[Poolrat]

July 8th came quickly. I was packed for the hot humid weather. Good thing it was hot and humid at home too. My flight left at 1043 am on Thursday the 8th. I am packed and ready to go.
I have my plans

I had my coffee.

I had my bags

I made my way to the airport.

If you look carefully you can see a mailbox on that truck. That made me laugh. I would not think they would get much in the way of mail that way.

When in doubt follow the planes.

That’s nice, they put this directional sign behind the bush.

To serve as a reminder of where I parked.

I arrived in plenty of time, (this time) may my way through security and no pick up lines from TSA
I made my way over to my preflight meal choice. I can’t get it anywhere else so I always stop here.
I am aware it is 9:30 am.

I had some time to kill. I was there over an hour before my flight. I hate to be late but this hurry up and wait stinks too. Our Airport has rocking chairs so I found one.

My sights

I make my way down to concourse A

Check on my escape vehicle

The familiar gate

I hear them call for boarding. The gate attendant explains they will board by zones and to wait for your zone. I he calls Zone 1, then a few minutes later Zone 2. Did I mention I was Zone 8? A few more minutes go by Zone 3 was called. Good gosh it seems like forever.
Then the gate attendant calls – “ All other zones may board now. ”What ?!? Why on earth do they have 8 zones if they are only going to call 3?
As we line up to give the gate attendant our boarding passes, the man behind me starts teasing the gate attendant. He tells her she looks tired. She gives him grief and I jump in to give him some more grief. The GA finally ask if we are together. I say no. We move down the ramp and board.

Well, guess who sits next to me? That guy.
Across the row is a family with 2 kids, 1 sitting in the middle and 1 lap child. As we taxi and begin take off, the child yells out “ WHEE! This is fun!” Everyone around just laughs. First big ride.
The weather I am leaving. Humid and almost smoggy.

What I am escaping to. Hot humid but clear.

Continued Next Post

 

[Poolrat]

As we land and touch down the same child says “YAY” and claps.
I see the faux monorail. Land at 12:22pm.

My first sight of something Disney.

My chariot.

AHHHH paradise

Am I going here?

NO

Here?

NO

Here?

Ding ding ding.

I see it, I see it

Almost there.

Hey Mister, get out of my way!!!! Stressed out princess coming through!

That’s right – you go there.

Here I go – I am bypassing that line.

Here is where I am heading.

With no crazy crowd in my way, I walk to the front.
In less than 20 minutes from the time the wheels touched down I am sitting on the ME bus looking at this.

We sit and wait for the bus to fill. I grab the front seat so I can get the picture of the arch and watch. I love watching people go to their busses. Most are families loading. Some know what they are doing, some are clueless. Most are excited.
Except this woman

I am unsure how she got through security with it or if was in her checked luggage. Maybe some of those cups that you push a button and it heats and everything? There she is dumping all that mess out in the garbage. So much for bringing coffee for your trip.

About 15 minutes late we are under way.
I had a great bus driver John.

He was energetic and happy. He warned everyone to get their camera out and even allowed people to stand in the aisle to get this picture.

I relax instantly. Ahhhh It is good to be back.

 

[MeMom]

You do realize there are trees right by there that need to be hugged, right???

Ahhhh It is good to be back.

Yes.
Yes it is.

 

[Poolrat]

You do realize there are trees right by there that need to be hugged, right???

I do now

Yes.
Yes it is.

My ME waiting area was empty that time. I arrived on a Thursday. That was around noon. Maybe there was a rush when you got in. Your picture of a crowded ME was downright scary. I always wondered why they had so many stanchions set up when I always see them empty. Now I know.

 

[KatMark]

I relax instantly. Ahhhh It is good to be back.

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Great update, Pat. I can't believe they have rocking chairs at your airport. How cool is that????

I love this sign...it just says "Welcome home" to me.

 

[Flossbolna]

Wow, and you are back at WDW already!!

I sat in one of those rocking chairs at Charlotte airport once! I did connect through Charlotte in 2008 and rather liked that airport. On previous flights I saw Washington DC airport (IAD) and Philadelphia and Charlotte was my favourite. Also because of the rocking chairs.

I never managed to get that front row seat on ME, I always board the bus when it is already quite full. And then in the past I always arrived when it was already dark outside, so there would not have been a chance for taking pictures anyway.

 

[glennbo123]

I hear them call for boarding. The gate attendant explains they will board by zones and to wait for your zone. I he calls Zone 1, then a few minutes later Zone 2. Did I mention I was Zone 8? A few more minutes go by Zone 3 was called. Good gosh it seems like forever.
Then the gate attendant calls – “ All other zones may board now. ”What ?!? Why on earth do they have 8 zones if they are only going to call 3?

Because all of the good seats are taken now. It doesn't matter much at that point.

Across the row is a family with 2 kids, 1 sitting in the middle and 1 lap child. As we taxi and begin take off, the child yells out “ WHEE! This is fun!” Everyone around just laughs. First big ride.

Hey, I'll take a kid like that near me any day rather than one screaming and kicking the back of my seat.

My chariot.

Hey, there's a Pat reflection!

Hey Mister, get out of my way!!!! Stressed out princess coming through!

I had a great bus driver John.

John, Joe, whatever.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay, we're back already!!

I've never been able to get a good picture of that sign, but I will this time. Since we're driving I'm going to make Don pull over if I have too!

 

[MeMom]

Great update, Pat. I can't believe they have rocking chairs at your airport. How cool is that????

Nashville does, too. Must be a southern hospitality/comfort thing. Sit back, relax, and 'set a spell'.

 

[All7OfUs]

Aaaaaaaand we're off!

I always scream like a chick when I see that sign. Sometimes a little squeak slips out too.

So, did the guy tell you your feet were cute??

Rocking chairs are the coolest addition I can think of in an airport. Especially if they place them right next to a place you can watch the guys with the red batons- I have a secret fantasy to be one of those- seems like they wield such cool "sticks of power"!

 

[Poolrat]

Great update, Pat. I can't believe they have rocking chairs at your airport. How cool is that????

I love this sign...it just says "Welcome home" to me.

Those rockin chairs are neat if you can snag one. They are by the big food court by the piano. Sometimes some workershave been known to play and it is very entertaining.

 

[Poolrat]

Wow, and you are back at WDW already!!

I sat in one of those rocking chairs at Charlotte airport once! I did connect through Charlotte in 2008 and rather liked that airport. On previous flights I saw Washington DC airport (IAD) and Philadelphia and Charlotte was my favourite. Also because of the rocking chairs.

I do like our airport. they have added another runway and are getting ready to do a major expansion on the main terminal. That will make things a mess but it will be nice when it is done.

I never managed to get that front row seat on ME, I always board the bus when it is already quite full. And then in the past I always arrived when it was already dark outside, so there would not have been a chance for taking pictures anyway.

I was lucky that day. At night if you can swing it thesign is all lit up and pretty.

 

[Poolrat]

Because all of the good seats are taken now. It doesn't matter much at that point.

This was Air SuckyTran, I had an assigned seat and now the aisle person was seated before the window person. Its OK he didn't mind me climbing over him.

Hey, I'll take a kid like that near me any day rather than one screaming and kicking the back of my seat.

Amen to that.

Hey, there's a Pat reflection!

+1

i was wondering who would notice that comment. I might have really said it.

John, Joe, whatever.

That's hilarious. I can't believe I did that. What's his name was nice nonetheless.