Day 5: rough start

Day 5 of the 8 day trip is off to a rough start.

To catch the ride to the airport for a 9:30 flight, I had to get up at 5 am to shower, last check of the hotel, then check out. All packed, I head down about 5:45 and decide to pick up another (hopefully the last) $2.50 20 oz Coke rather than their $17.99 buffet breakfast.

Retrieving the lukewarm Coke from the cooler, I turn and I’m damned if I didn’t trip ass-over-teakettle over a badly-placed planter. Sprawled out across the floor, my knee and lower shin bruised, up comes the security detail to make sure I fill out the appropriate forms to alleviate the Hilton of legal liability.

Offensive to me that they’re more concerned about their liability than my well being, but that is the way of the politically correct world it seems. At least they moved the planter.

Checked out, grabbed the overcrowded communal ride van. Made it to the Orlando airport finally, about 7am. Checked in, then was harassed by everyone’s favorite Air Nazis, the TSA.

First my shoes and belt weren’t acceptable, then my laptop had to be removed from the bag. Then the laptop had to be removed and placed in it’s own basket. Then the GPS and camera had to be removed, THEN the jacket had to be inspected, THEN, standing there partially undressed, belt and shoes confiscated, to add insult to injury, they stole the damned Coke that I had just gone through hell to get.

Not to worry though, they have plenty of 20 oz Coke products to sell me for $3.00 INSIDE the gate. They’ll let you give them money then take it on the plane, but God forbid you actually try to bring your own.

Fricking nazis…

Now, I’m sitting here, bruised, harassed, flustered, and outright angry with over 2 hours to spare, waiting on the plane to Cinci and inevitable layover Baltimore/Washington DC. My chest is now hurting as well from the earlier fall, so walking through BWI sounds like so much fun later.

No wonder the airlines are going out of business. Anyone want to bet me they’re next in line for a gubment 500 billion dollar bailout check?