Journal

March 20th, 2004

You want me to get into that?!?!

     I'm taking a vacation to visit my Uncle, my parents, and my children.... Now, one would think that if you're going to get on a plane that it would be what most people's idea of what a plane is... right? Apparently United Airlines does not agree. I mean we're talking about something just a smidge larger then a Cessna... It even had props!!! Well I'm assuming this is what's called 'commuter class'. Granted,

I'm only flying down to Dulles (which is another story in itself... I'll explain shortly.) but cripes, at least make the ride semi- comfortable!!!

     Well, to describe this airplane (and I use that term loosely) it has 3 seats across... one side with 2 seats about 2/3 of the size of a normal coach seat... they do not recline so you're sitting there erect, on a seat that is about the size of most Barbie doll chairs, with the fuselage of the plane making you stoop to the side because there is no head room... head room HAH! there was no body room either!!! There was no where to put your 'carry on' baggage, no bathroom, nothing. (Definitely not the best flight to take a laptop on... I held it on my lap during the flight... without the case... apparently there was an issue having the case on board... hell I don’t know) and to think, people pay money to ride in these things, next time I'll drive down to Annapolis.

     Anyway, it's loud, uncomfortable, and extremely annoying. Well... to continue, don’t ever fly into Dulles... they expect you to run a 50 mile dash carrying your carry on which you can't put into the plane... ugh, we won't go on about this... it's just not the best airport to fly into.

     So... I arrive at Dulles International Airport....I walk a bazillion miles to the baggage claim (you would think they'd offer a moving escalator thingy strip walkway (not sure what it's called LOL)... but no... god forbid they make their passengers more comfortable... sorry went on and on about that again lol....My uncle picks me up because the rest of my family hasn't arrived, they're coming in from Colorado... driving (lucky them)...So... driving through D.C. was fun... loved looking at the historic buildings and old houses, personally I think my Uncle took me that way purposely because he knows I love architecture... anyhow... we stop and grab a bite... and finally we arrive in Annapolis...keep in mind, this is 4 hours later (definitely quicker to drive)...

     We're not there an hour then my family shows up... well this was an interesting experience in itself... my children think I am Atlas... now... let me explain... I'm a mere 5'3" tall and well we won't go into the weight thing, but I'm not a beached whale I tell ya! Anyhow, I'm tackled by 2 children, weighing in at 80 and 90lbs...now... I'm not weak... but 2 missiles of that weight rocketing towards you takes quite a bit of stability....oh, and another piece of information, it wouldn't have been so bad if they were smaller... LOL... my daughter at 10 is nearly my height... and her brother at 11 is... well 5-6 inches shorter... (lucky him)... so we do the family thing etc... lots of talking... you know the drill.....