Shoup Airlines

16 hours later…

So, as expected, yesterday turned into a very LONG day. After waiting for that certain person to sign the final paperwork at 1300, the mad dash was on to get changed and catch a cab at 1400.

Arrive at the airport around 1500 and wait for a 1730 flight. Eat a little and reminisce about the bygone days of passing through Norfolk airport while working for the airlines. Then a smirk appears as I realize I’m wearing yet another set of wings as I walk past the gates. I guess some things will never change.

The smirk evolves into a grimace as I notice we’re delayed until 1800. Time to pull out the phone and pass time. The time gets pushed to 1930, then 1950, then back down to 1940. I feel like I’m watching the Dow index.

I realize I’m going to miss my connection into Orange County, which is also the last flight there for the day. I ask the gate agent about changing flights to the last LAX flight out of Chicago, but he won’t do it because it’s full. I’m glad to see my luck hasn’t left me in these six months of exile.

We takeoff around 2000 and I completely zonk out. I’m talking so deep a sleep, the next thing I know we’re touching down in Chicago. Now where was this skill when I was commuting?!!

At O’hare, I once again smile at nostalgia but realize I have no time for that. I hit the customer service desk in a lump of fatigue only to find that I must use a kiosk to change the flight myself. I do so, only to have the tickets print out as Mark Shoup. Someone want to figure out the odds on a Mark Shoup and a Mike Shoup riding on the same flight to LAX?

I ask the agent about the rarity. She just smiles and tells me to head to the gate and have them fix it there. Wow, there aren’t any agents at the gate and the flight leaves in a half hour. Oh, scratch that, it just got pushed back 45 minutes. Time to eat something.

My luck seems to change and I get on the flight, but I fear it being a long and painful flight. Murphy seems to have gone home for the day. I zonk out and awake again to the touchdown slamdown of the wheels at 0100 (Pacific Time). Wow, in both respects.

Finally greeted by some familiar but groggy faces, Kara and her mother meet me at baggage claim only to wait for everyone’s baggage but mine. I expected it but I guess Murphy got up early just for me.

I crawled into bed, MY BED, at 0230 and collapsed. In usual Murphy fashion I then proceeded to wake completely up at 0600. Aargh.

Many thanks to Kara and her mother for patiently waiting until the wee hours of the morning to drive me home. I greatly appreciate it.

I’m home…