Arrived at the NORML Conference… this is going to be great!

Quick best news: I get a dedicated T-1 line for running the three hour shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Uploading the intros and bumpers to the server tonight so I can fire that with better sonic quality.

US Airline Industry Complaint of the Day: So after I have paid a total of $40 for the privilege of having baggage handlers destroy my hanging bag from Portland to Boston to DC, I bought a new hard case Samsonite and a new hanging bag. I was able to pack the hanging bag and some of my recording gear in the Samsonite. Sure, it was a little heavy, but it was a tough case, so I figured it would be OK.

You know where this is going…

When I heave the case up onto the scale, it tips the dreaded 50lb barrier.  See, they charge you $20 for the privilege of actually taking something with you when you travel.  But if it is over 50lbs, it costs $125.  “Hold on, then,” I told the check-in guy while I opened the Samsonite, took out the hanging bag, and then shut the Samsonite.  “How much is it for a second bag?”  I ask, and he tells me $30.  “OK, then, here you go.  Instead of one heavy bag for $125, I’ll give you two bags at the same weight, but take up more room in the plane for $50.”

Then I’m getting on the Boeing 767, where you must store the big wheeled carryons in the outside bins and smaller bags in the inner bins, which none of the staff (I don’t know what to call them anymore) are telling anyone, so as the overheads on the outside fill up you have travelers desperately trying to stow their big-ass carryons in the too-small bins.  I luck out and get a bin about halfway to my seat in the back.

Once I’m seated, the final few travelers are getting on and there is no more room in overhead bins.  One staff member says they will have to check those bags.  I say, “You know, if you weren’t charging people $20 to check bags, they’d check more of them and there’d be more room in the overhead bins.”

Fly the Unfriendly Skies of United

This woman on the staff shoots me an evil look and says, “Don’t go there!  I’ve had my pay cut by 30%!” and continued to mutter.

“The difference,” I mentioned, “is that you’re getting paid for this and we’re paying for it.”  I was not her favorite customer.  I then kept to myself, turned on the music, and took a nap.  Besides, the contents of my underwear are not conducive to long inquiries by federal authorities.

These trips may be the last time I fly.  I want a Madden Cruiser.  How many chicken wings do I have to eat for that?