Boarding in San Jose

Last Edit March 12, 1999

You would think that I know how to pack by now - four trips in six months. Even if three were to chase Fabio (first to buy him, then to date him, then to chase him across country in the abortive trip to New York). The fourth was the Sales conference - the one that cost me an abdomen.
So when the department scheduled an "off-site", I should have been in practice.
Not quite.
I know how to cut weight. Small plastic bottles. Travel sized cosmetics. Skip the shampoo if only for five days - just bring a scrunchie and bobby pins.
Fly with hair pinned up. I should learn - no hair dryer or a smaller one. I've had one in the hotel every trip so far - theirs and mine.
But I should learn to bring some way to heat coffee. Because that is inconsistent.
I brought two pairs of shoes - not four or five (I like to rotate heel heights, etc.). Wear the heavy sneakers and the heavy cord jeans and the sweater and haul the coat.
I froze on the last business trip (didn't need a jacket for Fabio) so I zipped in the lining on my XXXXL ski jacket (I go for layers and wanted them to fit. So what if I can turn around inside it and no one would notice.)
And my son decreed I would take a heavy shawl. This shawl was made by my mother and has been used for sleeping on or in, has been wrapped around both my boyswhen they were infants, and it also hangs in my office. I have three of them - the gray gets the most use. So I have it with me too.
Santa Fe had snow last night.
So I add gloves.
I fly with my hair up - makes me look my age if I also leave off a lot of the makeup. Easier to board early. (It worked - I wasn't challenged.)
My vitamins are in plastic baggies. My prescriptions are in lightweight bottles and nearly out. Light but bulky. I use plastic curlers.
No fuss.
I carefully choose an integrated wardrobe. Black and grape. Scarves and jewelry.
I leave the heavy dress suit - I opt for velvet pantsuit and matching skirt. Totables pants skirt and jacket. Excuse me, "Simply Susan" is the new name of the line. And two dresses.
Of course I have to have my Fabio tee shirt. Don't leave home without it.
I have now discovered, after tipping bellhops right and left, that the BAG is what is heavy. So I may present it to my kid and go soft-sided again.
This trip, however, I am taking my Mac notebook computer. You got it. The one they just fixed.
I had purchased a $100 travel case (heavy) that can actually hold two computers. (Aren't we getting a bit much here people!)
The 3400C is nowsoftware loaded and packed in its snug but roomy case. The keyboard and mouse (of course) are in the big suitcase.
Of course I bring the extended keyboard and mouse (oops, forgot the Fabio mouse pad) and a power surge protector (every looked close at the outlets behind the curtain in that hotel room? And then checked for sprinklers?) and the AC adapter (batteries don't last long. Besides, I have to be able to start it to get back on the plane.)
I am not used to this computer bag so I grab my wheels - my luggage carrier. Bungie cords. Strap on the computer (snug in its case) purse (fanny pack) and let's go. Sounds simple. In Theory.
I debate about the roll-on carry-on luggage piece instead of the wheels (which are, it turns out, heavy. But then, lately, everything is heavy to me.) The carry-on would be used as wheels - putting the computer bag inside it. Should have gone with my instincts. It would have been a good idea.
My son wants to go with me.
I would like to have taken him.
Not this trip.
Toronto if I go.
Maybe.
Perhaps.
I used the big suitcase again. I am not sure about carry on. I should have been. It's the same airline that stranded me in Las Vegas!
I am sedated - half a pill - and took decongestant - just as my doctor said to do - do not fly congested - and I miss the freeway exit!
But I discover that getting off at the later exit is faster - straight down that street to the airport. Good so far.
I tumbled the big case out of the truck (my son had loaded it - and declared that he should be going with me just to carry luggage.) I wheeled the two bags over to the shuttle - Do you think the driver helps? Hell no! But a young man did - and then asked me if I had a bowling ball in it. I told him what my son had said. He asked if I had my son in the bag.
I had to lift it onto the scale at the desk - problem with E-ticket - curbside check in - I need to check on that. As in, can you? (Yes.)
I probably could have done it. I'll know next time.
I have also learned that my boss parks at work and calls a cab. OK. Next trip, me too. A shuttle from home is too expensive - but not from the office. Not when parking is $10.00 a day! Actually, for a week - it's about even!
My computer of course has to come out of its case and be handed through security.
OOOOPS!
I beeped.
I shed my jacket.
I beeped.
I am looking at my clothes. They decide it's my work badge.
Yep. It is. Good thing.
I thought I was going to have to show my scar. I had decided I had removed everything I felt like removing.
Then they want my computer on. First I grab my jacket, shawl, purse, wheeled carrier and open computer case from the rollers. I am now spread out everywhere.
Then I power-up. They say OK.
No, I say - it has to come all the way up. A 2Gig drive does not load fast (the 3400C is 200MHz). So we wait until I can power it down.
I carefully restrap it into its case.
Good thing!
I reassemble myself and find my gate.
I wait.
But I do ask to board early.
I am slow.
My hair in sausage curls and little makeup - I do not get challenged. Have to remember to fly looking like a frump from now on so they believe me when I say I am old. Beats having another kid.
I am worried that I may have pulled something struggling with the case. It's only been 3 months. I appear to be OK. No pulling. But I did have an upset stomach. Due to what I do not know. I sip a decaf (I know, I know) and wait.
At boarding I am the first out the door. Great. We have to climb stairs. I decide to lift the carrier. But I grab its handle and not the computer case's handle because I am in a hurry and not thinking clearly.
Yep. 3/4 of the way up the stairs - the computer went back down. To the horror of flight attendants and myself.
Fortunately there was no one behind me.
The computer tumbles in slow motion over and over down the stairs and lands on the bottom step - upright. The attendant grabs the empty wheeled rack - I go back for the computer.
It has not bounced. I am not breathing.
Good thing I am sedated.
They worry about the computer.
I am worried about my abdomen. I put the computer case in the overhead bin and refuse to turn it on.
I will cross the computer bridge later.
The rack has to be stored on the floor because of the wheels. The computer is in the overhead. Fits well. The wheels under the seat do not. I think it is their last trip.
I settle down and try not to worry. I have my fingers crossed.
I have a lot of stories to type.
++++
Postscript: At the hotel, the Mac was just fine. It pays to get the best. The case held the unit isolated in foam and I had packed papers on the sides as well.
The case did its job.
I can breathe now.
I know how to pack for Toronto.