Every Journey Starts - The Airport Departure

McCarron has new gates in the D area with food stations, newstands, Starbucks and a classic Vegas mural. Nice and airy, laptop stations (free wifi!!) and, of course, slot machines/video poker.

The flight to Dulles was overbooked when I went online to get my seat assignment.

What's this button "upgrade"?

How much do I have on my MileagePlus account?

Only 8000 to upgrade?

CLICK.

First Class.

Nice!

Airport Update

Checked in, luggage out of my hands, mall food in my belly (manchuwok).

Gentleman at the US Airways counter an hour ago was very nice, apologetic there were no earlier flights and no First Class, but he did print me out a receipt and put me in the exit row on the long leg of the flight (aisle, my favorite).

Pictures from Qatar and the start of our flight to the states have been posted on Flickr.

Arrived in US Soil

Sitting in the airport at BWI (Baltimore) right now!

US Airways ticket home doesn't leave until 2p with a plane change in Philly. The person at the ticket counter said there was nothing earlier except standby - and I didn't want to get stuck sitting around another airport waiting for another flight since there is NOTHING that is non-stop from here on their planes.

I really try to be polite and smile when at the ticket counter, but this gal must have been having a bad morning. She had nothing to offer me, said if I wanted an upgrade to First Class I would have to use the Gov't charge card (same used to purchase the ticket) and then said there was only FC available on the 40 min hop to Philly (not the 5 hr flight from Philly to Las Vegas). It's all just a moot point since it is illegal to use the Gov't charge card for such a purchase (and I don't understand this policy since military folks have always been able to upgrade using their personal cards, or cash). Maybe she won't be at the counter when I check in for my flight and I can try again. Or at the gate in Philly.

The USO here in BWI just started their renovation last night. They moved it upstairs into a conference center. No free wifi available in that area. I'm sitting out on the concourse in a hallway so I can charge my laptop, I don't mind paying the daily Boingo fee but I wish the connection was a little stronger than 2-3 bars and would stop dropping me.

The 4-Point Sheraton offered us free showers. After getting all sweaty yesterday loading bags (in exchange for first dibs on seats allowing me to have three together on the window and actually lay down for a nap during the 14 hr flight) I feel tons better. Thank you Sheraton!

Getting ready to wake up family on the West coast. At least my cell phone is fully charged. It was so great talking to my hubby. Going to wake mom & dad then head to the ticket counter and spend the rest of the waiting time at the gate.

Pictures from Al Udeid and reports of my Deidcation will be placed in here later today (in between watching Dexter Season 1 and playing Hoyle's Poker Tournament) once the laptop is fully charged and I can maintain my connection. Just finished watching Lost on the flight home (thank you Celina for the last 8 episodes). What a great season! Amazing cliffhanger. Can't wait to hear the producer podcasts.

Wow, lots of military walking around these hallways. In blues! Not used to seeing the USAF blue uniform - I think it was only recently the commands re-instated travel wearing blues.

Speaking of blues, check out this snappy guy:


Senior NCO Induction Ceremony after the 3-day leadership seminar. I'm so proud of my husband!

Edit: Here are some Al Udeid Pictures (as promised).

The infamous coffee shop - wifi and power in the mornings - just watch out for the sunrise glare through the windows. The barristas are very friendly.



The Mall, the DFAC

and the "Bra"

Waiting for the Plane

It's a cloudy, chilly morning in St Louis. The hotel room was like a dorm. Folks talking in the hallway (pretty thin walls), doors slamming (very loud at 5:30a), and I heard they ran out of hot water this morning when everyone tried to take a shower (I was smart, took a nice hot bath last night).

Maybe we will be leaving today afterall?

Edit: Yay! The plane has arrived, the bags and food and fuel are being loaded, and the seats up front are by rank. There are 6 Lt Cols and so I have a small chance at First Class, but at least I should get Business Class (sweet!). It means I get on the plane before the "crowd" and hopefully get a window (easier for napping, sucks for potty breaks).

The Start of the Deployment

0430 - Wake up 1 minute before the alarm. Last time to check the suitcase before locking them up.

0530 - get to the airport and check in.






0800 - high fat breakfast, soy/nonfat mocha, and I'm ready to fly.







The 1-stop flight without changing planes turned into a stop, get off the plane, get on another aircraft kind of flight. So I can say I was in Dallas-Forth Worth.






1630 - Finally in St. Louis. But 1 night may turn into 2 or 3. Just the way things work - hurry up and wait. Bring stuff to do and extra clothing (or be greatful that the hotel has a laundry). And be doubly happy they booked you into a little suite!

With free wifi internet!

Your stay here also includes a Happy Hour (3 drink maximum) with snacks (my dinner last night) and a breakfast buffet (not as good as GVR, but free).