E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSLet's just all agree: It's a fallacy that you're ever going to get a "night's sleep" on a redeye flight from LA to NY—or, for that matter, from NY to most locations in Europe. First, you have an hour's worth of announcements about frequent flier plans and seat belt-buckling techniques. Then, no fewer than 20 warnings about electronic devices (though last night our flight attendant was clearly visible operating her iPod and phone throughout taxi, takeoff and climb, while making announcements to the contrary!) and then the clanking and banging in preparation for whatever meager service is offered on board. Last night, flying from LA to NY, an unwanted consequence of the current robust jet stream over the nation: Just after I'd taken a "sleep aid," the pilot (apparently Chuck Yeager) comes on to say "Good news folks...we'll only be four hours, 17 minutes en route to New York tonight." There are rockets that fly slower than we flew last night.
This was NOT welcome news. Hearing that guarantees I'll be walking through the terminal, at 5am, drug-addled and unable to pick out my own bag among the sea of 200 black rolling bags. Remember what the sign says next to the obnoxious buzzer on the carousel: "MANY BAGS LOOK ALIKE." Try it under the influence of a "sleep aid." On this trip, however, there was a linguistic upside: I did add a new expression or two to my travel lexicon. One announcement at LAX told waiting passengers their luggage would be "down-belted" shortly. Down-belted! Sounds like something L.L. Bean would sell. Another announcement at JFK informed us our bags would be "displayed" on Carousel 3!
Wow! Like the Price Is Right! Imagine! My bag...my old, battle-worn bag with no luggage tag and a broken zipper: They care enough about it to display it! How can I ever repay that nice woman?
We hope you can join us for the broadcast tonight.
Â
Leave a Comment:
If only flights from LAX to NY only took a little over 4 hours every time! I am happy to hear you made it home safely (albeit a bit droggy).
Brian-
You do SO enjoy flying and every time you do so you are good enough to share your "enjoyment" with us! Always chuckles on this end -- unfortunately not on yours.
Now don't go to sleep on us during the broadcast tonight! And best get a ride home! Night-night. sleep tight! I tease, but seriously -- safe home.
Take care all-
Celine
If only flights from LA to NY took just over 4 hours every day! I am happy to hear you got back to NY safe and sound, albeit a bit droggy.
 I don't fly anymore, but my first flight was Bradley to LAX in 1968. Got a full meal and a movie. Folks dressed up. How quaint!
Good Evening Mr.Williams, Good to know you made it back to New York safely! You have a humorous way of describing your experiences in travelling by airplane! I am sorry you didn't really have a chance to any sleep on the plane since there were so many distractions going on. Then your hassles trying to get your bag at baggage claim with changing carousels and "displaying" your bag. A weary travel experience.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Todd regarding the heavy campaigning by both parties with stops in key States. President Obama is certainly covering alot of gorund in going to so many key States to help the Democrats keep seats in House and Senate races. Then an appearance on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" to relate to younger voters. It is tight races in so many States and with only six days until election day it is a sprint to the finish line.
As Mr.Gregory told of tight races in Nevada,Kentucky,Florida and Alaska.
On another note the extreme westher has caused much havoc across half the nation with heavy downpours and tornadoes. The report by Mr.Costello told of damage by these storms all over the Mid-Section of the country and all up and down the Eastcoast. It rained relentlessly here in Georgia all day long with many heavy downpours. Many delays of flights out of Atlanta tonight as well as all over other parts of the nation affected by the storm. One hopes for Thursday when it all clears out.
The "Making A Difference" segment by Dr.Nancy Snyderman from Haiti about the artist who helps send information to the people of the region through his artwork was truly nice. Being there is much information sent it is wonderful this artist can help people understand things that will help them. Trying to help a nation have a brighter future!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! Rest and Relax! Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
Brian,
In my opinion, Rand Paul has to be treated with kid gloves because he behaves like a
two-year-old. The man who stomped on the woman before the Jack Conway-Rand Paul
debate is the face of the Tea Party. Only 6 days to go!!! The Brits will not kow tow. Imagine that.
Have a nice evening
Phyllis
Ah the scary Tea Party people.
Have you seen the video of the woman rushing Rand Paul's car? (kind of a movie reference coming up)
Now imagine he's black and the President.. The Secret Service would have taken her down really hard and she'd probably still be in jail.
Pravda has been "fear mongering" everyone about the scary TEA PARTY people and ignoring straight up thuggery by "their party" for more than a year now.
I expect to turn on the TV one day soon and see all of them in Brown Shirts just like the 1930's bahahahaha
I can't believe after so many years of scheming to make America "shovel ready" and these "dumb stuck in a ditches" is the best they could do.
Yeah I know, the smart ones are behind the scenes, these are just the one willing to tell any lie.
BTW been to the ticker guy's site? Have you been sold to Bank of America by the DNC?
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=170485
Bring back Black!!!
Williams Black
New York Effed America and it's time to Eff em back.
Turn him loose, with a noose
that's all I got so far :-)
Dave, this thug makes Kentucky look bad. Which reminds me of a man who retired from GE and he
killed his wife and pleaded innocent. Yeah, she walked in front of the gun and brought it on herself
Rand Paul doesn't get Kentucky and I hope he gets the message that we don't get him on Nov 2. Phyllis
Well I for one would never trust anyone that works for GE. They bring evil to life don't ya know? hehhe
I hope he wins because the fewer "State Capitalist" (that's what they call China now) in congress the better.
Dave,
If it wasn't for my career at General Electric, I would be drinking Pink Ladies and smoking Lucky Strikes.
I worked for the greatest guys and so much fun. I looked forward to going to work everyday. Hey,
there's life after high school. I loved George W. Bush. but Rand Paul is a nut, and looks like a cartoon
character. Have a nice day!!!
Phyllis
Ah back in the good ole days? Like when Reagan worked for GE?
some times "things change"
I didn't "love" Bush but I was nudged into making the best of two bad choices. Now I want to know why he ignored the FBI report about mortgage fraud in 04 and why he let the "enemy within" stay in place in Fannie & Freddie. Bring Back Black, William Black lol
Good evening, Brian!
First, I have to say I am SO sorry for your troubled flight back to New York! What a mess that was! After all of that was out of the way, I'm sure you were just happy to be back home, and I'm glad you made it alright. The weather in the Midwest is causing a lot of problems with flights right now, as I'm currently waiting for someone to make it here after connecting in Detroit from Amsterdam, and originally over in Norway. The storms are absolutely awful, and I can't imagine what they're like from way up there above the clouds. I hope everyone makes it through and to their destinations safely!
After posting a certain link to the blog last night, I was absolutely shocked to see the very same story being mentioned on the broadcast tonight. Not that I deserve any ounce of credit whatsoever, but as a veteran viewer and admirer of the broadcast, I'd like to think I helped out a little! Talk about goose bumps! How fascinating! Seriously though, a portable hearing aid!? You're crushing my dreams. Come on Brian, just let us dream a little here. In the spirit of the anniversary of Back To The Future (one of my all-time favorites since childhood), let's just say this lady (or perhaps man in drag) wasn't sneaky enough. Maybe if we all watch it once more we'll catch a silver Delorean in the shot.
Thanks for the broadcast and have good night!
-Cary
Hi Brian,
Well that was a truly light-hearted or sleep-deprived post.....you and your air travel gave us all a needed laugh. Thanks for that! At least Johnny Knoxville wasn't on your flight last night.... you could close your eyes for a few hours and not worry. I'm sure you got through the broadcast, you would be fine even if you are tired. I haven't watched tonight's broadcast yet or most of last night's either. Started to watch on the DVR last night, with a little glass of milk at midnight. Next thing I know, it is 5:40 am and the cat is drinking my milk. Well, you rest up ....the weekend is insight!
hola, brian, there is more condensated water underneath the veggie bins in the refrigerator. it's been there for several days, i'll scoop it out soon, it's coming out when i open the refrigerator door. i think the little voice said it's for the middle east and afghanistan and pakistan and maybe for the 'stans' that drank up the water that was feeding that sea in that area. but there's probably a bit for california since there are so many middle eastern people, including palistinians, in the state. and afghan refugees. maybe for the farmers. i'd like to think i can still get tasty california strawberries and avocados next year:-) looked up a recipe for punjabi spinach saag and some tandoori chicken last night to use the tandoori and turmeric spices i got from williams-sonoma yesterday with their awesome house olive oil. i need yogurt. i can't wait:-) best, anna martina
Are you sure you weren't still under the influence of that sleep aid when you blogged today? The things that amuse you crack me up. Mostly because I would find them funny too, and I'm just weird.
It is true that the getting any sleep on a red eye is a joke. I've had several flights from Honolulu to whatever layover would get me the rest of the way home, and even one straight shot (8+ hours) here into Cincinnati. There is no sleeping. Especially that one time someone stole my pillow and the flight attendant said there wasn't a single extra one on the plane. I'm still holding a grudge against Delta for that, and it's been 12 years. You never forget jet lag like that.
Cary, there's also some talk that the photo was somehow photoshopped (is that one word or two?). I don't trust anything I see online these days!
I haven't caught tonight's broadcast yet, and I think it will have to wait until tomorrow, since I'm already sleep-deprived enough. The DVR is a good thing. Miss Z has a party at her preschool tomorrow, so I'd better get that Sleeping Beauty costume all ready for her before I go to bed.
Hello to the regulars! Take care.
To prove that I shouldn't type when tired, I meant VIDEO and, um, videoshopped(?). I'm sure Cary knew what I meant.
Wow, that must've been awful. But thanks for the tip on bags looking alike. I'm going to strap a ribbon or something on my suitcase so I can find it when I land in the DC airport this weekend for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear!
Brian: Are you still in one piece? That red eye experience sounded like something out of a Steven King novel. Strange announcements and a strange stewardess do not make a happy flight. How do you handle that? I guess after flying so many miles, what does it matter. I found your dialogue amusing. I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.
Brian, if Johnny had been on board, you would have had to sleep with one eye open. Phyllis