Dateline, March 3rd, 2:15 pm – Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, E Terminal.
To vacay or not to vacay?
Out traveling this week. Off to Bari in southern Italy for a couple days, then up to Milan for a round robin of project kickoff and quality inspection meetings. All go-go-go, take names and kick ass kinda days.
In planning the trip, I had first thought it might be possible to take a few extra vacation days to visit friends and family. But it was not to be … Again.
I *have* to be back in the US without fail, again business related. And even with Italy being a small enough country, a small side trip adds days to the schedule.
This is the second business trip to Italy in six months, and both times I’ve been unable to carve out enough time to go down and check on our house and visit relatives.
This is the impetus behind our decision to take a couple weeks off and go back in May/June. Maybe two and half weeks. The trip will cost us some serious bank, but echoing the sentiments of many a PF blogger when confronted with a quality-of-life decision: if not now, then when?
Let’s create some memories.
( More random thoughts and notes from the road. )
Lazing trough security lines
(warning: mini-rant ahead)
I ‘m never much in a hurry when going through airport screenings, especially here in the US, and most especially at checkpoints where there are millimeter-wave scanning machines.
I see other people just rushing to strip themselves of valuables and shed items of clothing, sometimes prodded along by the screening agents. Sadly evocative of animal chutes heading to the slaughter pens. Maybe not people per se, but certainly the 4th amendment, the right to be safe in one’s persons and property against unreasonable search and seizure.
I’d dearly love to opt for a pat down and offer a few snarky, don’t-touch-the-junk remarks to the groping gate agent, but I dare not. The financial consequences of ending up on a no-fly list are dire enough.
So I opt for slightly craven, passive aggressive resistance to the whole process.
By moving deliberate and unnoticeably slow, I can only hope to increase the levels of irritation and stress to every affected participant: the people shuffling along behind me, and the gate agents manning the chutes. Maybe the slowdown will be enough to spark a scintilla of negativity, cause yet one more traveler to get fed up enough to call their congressperson, maybe leave an adverse comment on a newspaper article, or just generally add their voice of protest against this totally farcical system of government command and control. The avalanche sometimes starts with a pebble.
The Travel Gods
I’m sure people of with multiple deities have a travel god or two. They must have. Even Catholics have St. Christopher, who only a Saint, does have his hands full these days with so many air travelers. One should cover their bases, I think.
I spotted this enormous dude sitting at the boarding gate in Tulsa. Well over six feet, and easily 350 pounds. Usual thought? I hope he doesn’t sit next to me.
Regrettably, as readers may have guessed, Rhino-Boy and I are getting physically acquainted while other passengers are streaming on board. He’s so expansive and so close that I can guess the amount of change in his pocket (three quarters, two dimes). Plus I’m thirsty and can’t get to the water in my backpack, I’m so squished.
Travel gods, come on, help me out here. And they did. The nice flight attendant relocated the giant to a a couple of empty seats. And I got my water and an empty seat next to me.
Currency Arbitrage
Currency Exchange ATMs at Atlanta airport. So alluringly convenient, and yet an astounding rip-off. They offer an exchange rate for the euro of EU 0.66 per one US Dollar. A quick check on the 3G iPad reveals today’s spot rate of EU0.7519 per US$. A 14% premium *plus* a EU5.00 commission for the transaction. What a gyp. I’ll wait till I get to Rome, I’m sure I can knock a good chunk off this rate. I wonder how many travelers fail to arm themselves with a calculator and a little knowledge.
Bad Eats and Good Reits
Monumentally bad food decision: faux Chinese food from Panda Express sucks ass. I can still taste — and will for a while longer — the preservatives in that pepper chicken. Compare this to the pork loin pot roast Mrs. 101 fixed the night before I left. Stuffed with fresh rosemary, surrounded with baby red potatoes and fingerling carrots. Seared to perfection in a cast-iron Dutch oven. Came out fork-tender and good to the last bite.
No comparison to this swill I didn’t even finish. No wonder Americans are getting sicker and sicker, we keep eating this crap. Which reminds me, I need to add HCP Inc to my watch list. It’s a REIT specializing in medical properties, doctor offices and such. A tasty 5.50% yield that won’t leave an awful MSG aftertaste. I think it’s even made it into the S&P Dividend Aristocrat list. For better or for worse, medical stocks are going be strong in the next decade, until the eat-healthy-and-local movement picks up a head of steam.
That’s enough travel notes for now. Until next dateline.
Awesome post! Love the rants. Your a lucky man. Your wife’s cooking sounds splendid. Too bad you can’t say hi to the family, but at least you will go back in a few months. Yes, if not now, when? Rhino Boy? Hilarous. Safe travels and stay out of trouble!
Buck Inspire recently posted..BI 014: Listen to Offline Advice
We had a couple more Rhino people on the flight back. You know you’re on the way back to the States when wide-loads start stampeding for the boarding gate.
Have you thought of timing your trip so you could turn it into a vacation? At least you would save the airfare. When I traveled for business, I would leave early by a day or two. The weekend hotel rate is always lower. Just a thought.
krantcents recently posted..Friday Night Links: Winter Edition
The thought’s crossed my mind, but I’m not going to push it on my company. If they ask, all the better.
Good random travel thoughts! I’m one of those difficult people who always asks for the pat down. I have health reasons: my thryoid doesn’t need any more radiation, so whenever I can limit my exposure I do. The day they offer lead thyroid shields at the airport in the same way they do at other places that use radiation on you (mammogram appts, radiology visits, etc.) is the day I’ll be just fine walking through their machine. And, yeah, I know I’m getting a dose of radiation while riding in the plane, but that is the only way to get from point A to point B, so I have to take that risk. Give me a lead thyroid shield or give me a pat down.
US airport food: oh my is it ever bad, bad, bad. I always carry food with me. While on a long flight I will usually eat the meal offered, but otherwise I will carry food. Nuts, hard fruits, cheese, hard boiled eggs, and cut vegetables travel well and make it through security just fine. Most airports have fast food only near the gates and it is all equally awful for you. I’ve found some decent comestibles in the airports in other countries, though.
Safe travels!
Linda recently posted..Continuing a theme
Hi Linda – I also carry snacks with me, but the Panda Express at least smelled good. Regretfully, didn’t live up to the olfactory promise.
That really stinks that you have been in Italy twice in the last six months on business and could not stay just a few precious days more to visit with loved ones! Good thing you are going back–I will enjoy reading some posts about that trip.
Amanda L Grossman recently posted..Stores have Evolved beyond a Space to Sell: 5 Things to do at Stores Besides Spend Money
Hi Amanda – I’m going to have to figure how to carve out some time and internet access. Our house is in the hills where even cell phone reception is spotty.
I’ll have to check out that REIT, that’s one juicy yield. My all-time favorite continues to be ACC! Not a huge yield, but the capital appreciation is off the charts. College housing properties. Such a great market. Guaranteed tenants, occupancy, pricing power. Can’t lose!
Darwin’s Money recently posted..Apple is the World’s Whipping Boy for Worker Conditions, Jobs, Profits – Fair?
College housing properties is one area where there is definitely growth. As long as young students are offered cheap credit, colleges are going to be well attended.
Great rant. It’s great that sometime things work out your way, doesn’t it? Imagine how bad it would be if the flight was full.
Joe @ Retire By 40 recently posted..Save Gas By Taking Public Transportation
Joe, I’m starting to suspect that U.S. airlines are pulling switcheroos on plane sizes. I haven’t been on a semi-full flight in several years. I have overseas, but not in the U.S.
” faux Chinese food from Panda Express sucks ass”
Haha! When I lived in CA, that was my exact sentiment! But now that I’ve moved to a place without PE, I kinda miss fast, junky faux chinese food!
MoneyCone recently posted..The Many Inventions Of Steve Jobs [Slideshow]
and yet, the kitchen is in full view. The next time the kids clamor for PE (and they will, and we might give in), I’m going to keep a close eye on the kitchen, and see just what they do to murder the ingredients like they do.
I enjoyed reading this. Apart from that you reminded me about the time when I was very tired and waiting at security like at Heathrow. The line was mostly men in pin stripe suits and women in the equivalent (don’t even ask; I am an academic and don’t wear suits). So I decided to entertain myself and everyone else by cracking jokes. One of these was that I see all this frisking as a lost opportunity: there is something to be said about men frisking women and women men.
People around were entertained; but I got frisked and regretted ever opening my mouth. Since then – no jokes; just reading.
maria@moneyprinciple recently posted..Where to buy property 3 – local issues to consider
The good folks in security screening lines have had their sense of humor surgically removed.
This is hysterical 101 – Love your avoidance in the airport. I hate that little wave thing too, and usually opt for the pat down or try and work my way into a line where people are being patted down. As for the avalanche you speak of, who knows when it’s going to happen but a lot of people are not fond of the policies of TSA
Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog recently posted..February 2012 Monthly Review
The TSA is expanding its operations to highways and sporting events. Fodder for paranoid tinfoil hat theories, I know, but true enough.
Wow, that’s a lot of travel. How do you stay sane? I feel bad that you had no time for fun on the trip and I’m imprssed you keep up your blog with all that up in the air time.
Barbara Friedberg recently posted..HOW TO CREATE & IMPLEMENT A MONEY MAKING IDEA
Hi Barb – keeping a travel journal is something that I’ve done off and on for years. Laying it down on the blog is just about finding the opportunity to do so.
I love your perspective on airport security. I remember traveling right after September 11th and had to help a poor elderly lady with her shoes as she happened to end up on the random list after a hip replacement surgery.
I admit I have a more laissez-faire attitude about the lines as it’s now just a part of life, but I can see where it may also be a bit entertaining becoming the pebble.
Andi @ MealPlanRescue recently posted..Second (Ever) Lifestyle Carnival
Hi Andi – I absolutely hate it to see elderly people being frisked and roughly handled. There is no reason for it.
I love to travel but I don’t like the airport and flight aspects. There’s always a crying and screaming kid on board that drives me crazy. That’s gross about Panda Express. I eat mostly vegetarian these days because meat just grosses me out now, especially the low quality processed kinds. Yuk. I’ll take tofu over that any day!! -Sydney
Untemplater recently posted..Taxes Suck And Make Me Want To Shut Down My Small Business
Hope you’re having an enjoyable trip! As enjoyable as a work trip can be, that is. Safe travels.
Matt @ RamblingFever Money recently posted..Rambling Road: A Bigfoot Sighting
One of our kids puked after eating at Panda Express. That was 8 yrs ago and I still can’t eat there! It wasn’t food poisoning but the stomach flu.
Mike will still eat there! I don’t know how he does it!
Molly (Mike and Molly’s House) recently posted..How to Make Steamed Buns
If I was rich, I’d pay to put panda express out of business. They are the worst worst.
Kathryn C recently posted..The Latest On Greece – Burning Down The House
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