Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Last Minute Change
My actual departure date has moved around a lot based on some scheduled meetings on Dec 18, 19 and 20th in Beijing. As a result, I have changed my return date at least 4 times on my wife and kids (and rarely in their favor –always extending my time), which has resulted in some interesting phone calls home.
I had settled on returning on Tuesday Dec 19. My meetings on Monday ended at 1:30pm. On the way back to the office, I wondered if I could make the 5pm flight. (I usually leave for the airport at 1:30pm for the 5pm flight). A quick call to the airline and I decided to go for it.
There was one small problem: I had not packed yet. The airport is an hour from the office and my apartment. So I raced home, literally packed 3 large bags and 2 carryons in less than 20 minutes. I figured that if I got my passport and had a credit card, everything else would be a bonus. So armed with snowboard, suitcases and briefcase, we got to the airport…
Every thing was going great until the China interpretation of TSA rules and regulations kicked in. The entire 777 had to go through one (1) metal detector for special screening. Every bag gets a hand search. It took forever. I got in my seat 8 minutes before the door closed. Way to close for comfort…I obeyed the flight attendant and shut off my email.
Then I remembered that I had not let my wife know that I am coming home early. Hopefully, it is a nice surprise for her.
I had settled on returning on Tuesday Dec 19. My meetings on Monday ended at 1:30pm. On the way back to the office, I wondered if I could make the 5pm flight. (I usually leave for the airport at 1:30pm for the 5pm flight). A quick call to the airline and I decided to go for it.
There was one small problem: I had not packed yet. The airport is an hour from the office and my apartment. So I raced home, literally packed 3 large bags and 2 carryons in less than 20 minutes. I figured that if I got my passport and had a credit card, everything else would be a bonus. So armed with snowboard, suitcases and briefcase, we got to the airport…
Every thing was going great until the China interpretation of TSA rules and regulations kicked in. The entire 777 had to go through one (1) metal detector for special screening. Every bag gets a hand search. It took forever. I got in my seat 8 minutes before the door closed. Way to close for comfort…I obeyed the flight attendant and shut off my email.
Then I remembered that I had not let my wife know that I am coming home early. Hopefully, it is a nice surprise for her.
