North Carolina in Summertime

I think this is probably the busiest I have ever been when approaching a trip, even a little trip. From a work perspective, travel was probably a bad idea this weekend… I’ll have some answers to give on Monday but that’s okay at this point (work has actually been fantastic about it, I just feel bad), the flights have been booked for months and I’ll get to visit with friends and family in North Carolina this weekend for a few days! It’s a whirlwind Friday to Sunday trip, and very much needed.

I woke up this morning and did something that I assume most people do, I ran through my head all the things that I need to remember when I leave the house each day. The mantra that runs through my head each day is “Phone, knife, wallet, keys. Phone, knife, wallet, keys.”

This may seem pretty basic for anyone who changes their pants everyday, but for some reason this is the one place in my life where I’m very likely to walk out without something, and a day with travel becomes an ever-larger list. It goes something like “laundry, trash, packing, electronics chargers, toiletries, clothes, shirts, pants, identification, paperwork, sunglasses, etc… etc… etc…” (and actually, I managed to leave my sunglasses in the car just now!)

There are, I suppose, a few ways to approach this list. I end up packing the night before in most instances, and making a list in Wunderlist of the things I still need to do the next morning… last minute things like prescriptions and charging cords that were in use just prior to leaving. For the most part, I buy travel-size toiletries even if I already have what I need simply because it makes packing that much easier and fewer things to remember the “day of”. I still have a mantra, it just gets smaller and is aided by yet another list.

All packed, I elected for a checked bag this time only because I didn’t want a security hassle, and I carried my backpack through with tablet and headphones inside. I dropped the bag off at check-in and headed for security. I still ended up getting pulled aside for bomb residue checks and to find out why in the world I would consider traveling with a pack of business cards… and after they had made quite sure I wasn’t a terrorist (and the screener declined my offer of a business card for FreeRangeHobo), I was on my way extremely quickly.

There are a few things that I think are worth sharing about the travels that I do, and I’ll admit up front here that even though the title of this website says “hobo”, I have been very lucky in my life and am sometimes able to splurge if cost is within reason. When I bought the tickets, the flight to North Carolina ran around $600 in Economy, and the tickets in First Class were just $150 more round-trip. For me that’s an easy decision, I’m 6’5″ tall and wider than most, so let’s grab the extra room! I forgot that this also makes me a “Premium Flyer” at some airports, and today at Denver International Airport it means I skipped a line of security with about 300 people in it and walked to the front of the line instead. That’s almost worth the money right there!

One important note here… some airlines (United, for example), allow you do this type of thing as a “buy up” for between $30 and $8 per flight without the First Class seat while still getting the benefits of Premium Flyer, and if you’re every concerned about running late… it’s definitely worth it!

Today I’m flying American Airlines, and the “Priority” allows the same. This was a great perk and unexpected, plus while walking towards the line there was a couple asking how to become a “Premium Flyer”, and scoffing at the idea of paying more when “the whole flight still gets there”. I’ve noticed this sentiment a lot with flights, and I’m always surprised by it… but I get it. First Class isn’t something everyone likes, and definitely could be considered classist. I don’t begrudge those who can afford it however, and I’m glad to be able to join them when times are right and life has been lucky.

Today, it was a blessing and a curse… no need to wait in security lines! The gate, though, is where I’ll be spending a few more hours now. The flight is delayed an hour, and I was already two hours early due to the unexpectedly quick trip through security. Right now I’m at “Lefty’s Mile High Bar and Grill” in Terminal A, enjoying a cider and looking forward to some onion rings. After that… who knows! I’ve already been to the bookstore, and picked up Slade House by David Mitchell. I’m trying to save it for the plane, but I’m not sure I won’t dive in before then.

For the trip I’ve brought my tablet (Asus TF Prime) with keyboard, I’m typing on it right now at somewhere approaching 80 WPM (there’s a bit of a delay) and watching the luggage carts zip underneath where I’m sitting into the tunnel under the terminal (those drivers are insane by the way). My tablet will last me about ten hours under regular use with the keyboard, it also has some TV shows and movies loaded, just in case. I’m also playing chess on my phone with my father, and Trivia Crack with my mom and dad. I also have my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones for the plane to drown out the engine noise, and given the late night/early morning I spent at work to prep for this trip… I might just snooze on the flight.

Delayed but no longer hungry… a view out the window.

Short of playing on the floor escalators and grabbing yet another coffee… I think the book will come next, I might just have to grab another if I finish this one. There’s nothing better than disappearing into a book.