The Great Plane Trip -- San Diego, CA to Williamsburg, VA

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'm bringing my wife's Droid.

I have a layover in Houston for an hour or two. I'll be sure to take pictures all along the way.

Placeholder for now.

[az3579]

Why your wife's Droid? Don't you have your own phone?

Da BOSS don't have his own FONE???
We need to fix that...

[static667]

Why your wife's Droid? Don't you have your own phone?

Da BOSS don't have his own FONE???
We need to fix that...

:rofl

Where is the iPad?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Haha. I have a Blackberry. The camera sucks on it. I needed a better camera.

[billschusteriv]

Looking forward to updates.

+1. Not impressed with BB camera.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

:rofl

Where is the iPad?

No camera on the iPad 1.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just printed off my flight itinerary.

I leave San Diego at 6:45 AM. Arrive in Houston at 12:04 PM. I have a 1.5 hour layover. Arrive in Virginia at 5:20 PM.

In order to catch my flight on Friday morning, I have to wake up at 4:15 AM. How nice. Haha.

[danewilson77]

Sleep on the plane Boss. Be safe.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I don't sleep well on planes. Never have. I'll be good.

Starting to pack my bag now.

[billschusteriv]

Just had a thought. May want to leave your ZHPMafia.com t-shirt in your suitcase... or carry it on.

TSA may look at you funny otherwise. :biggrin Avoid getting selected for "extra" screening. Hehe.

[danewilson77]

Just had a thought. May want to leave your ZHPMafia.com t-shirt in your suitcase... or carry it on.

TSA may look at you funny otherwise. :biggrin Avoid getting selected for "extra" screening. Hehe.

I wore mine right through security. No issues. As a matter of fact....no one would look me in th eye...

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I didn't plan on bringing my Mafia shirt. I will be wearing pink all weekend. I will not look imposing.

[billschusteriv]

I wore mine right through security. No issues. As a matter of fact....no one would look me in th eye...

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

Good to know!


I didn't plan on bringing my Mafia shirt. I will be wearing pink all weekend. I will not look imposing.

Cool. You really were serious about wearing pink earlier....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Oh, yeah. I said it; I'm doing it.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Let the packing begin. Notice my three pink Polo shirts for the weekend. They'll be accompanied by a variety of cargo shorts.

My plane leaves in 36 hours.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/2011-06-08_18-00-13_162.jpg

[Mtnman]

The pink is purely to lower our guard so you can get to the core of our souls during your individual interviews......I see your strategy unfolding.....lol.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

:rofl

I think you're all going to be on guard this weekend. I'll be lucky to get your names. hehe.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

My plane departs in 24 hours.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/continental.jpg

[Dotpage]

I could have picked you up in Houston.. Lol


Sent from my iPhone

[Marcus-SanDiego]

No doubt.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just checked in for my flight to the east coast.

Got a $150 upgrade offer to first class. I took it.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Final itinerary:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/finalitineraryvirginia.png

[kayger12]

Just checked in for my flight to the east coast.

Got a $150 upgrade offer to first class. I took it.

That's a beautiful thing, Boss.

First class for that price is a no brainer.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yep. Had to do it. Leading up to today, that upgrade was $883.

[Ryans323i]

Sweet upgrade deal. Enjoy your flights. Take pics of 1st class, I wanna see what it looks like! (But I have seen the interior of a ZHP, so I'm sure it's similar.)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sweet upgrade deal. Enjoy your flights. Take pics of 1st class, I wanna see what it looks like! (But I have seen the interior of a ZHP, so I'm sure it's similar.)

Haha. Not sure if I will take a picture of first class. I don't want people thinking that I'm a tourist there!

They're never as nice as the interior of a ZHP, though.

[danewilson77]

That upgrade, for you, is expected.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

That upgrade, for you, is expected.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

Yeah. I am wondering which one of you guys called and arranged it.

:swiss

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I have to wake up in about 9 hours. Leaving house at 5:15 AM to catch my 6:45 AM.

[static667]

Just checked in for my flight to the east coast.

Got a $150 upgrade offer to first class. I took it.

That's because you are the boss.


I have to wake up in about 9 hours. Leaving house at 5:15 AM to catch my 6:45 AM.

Good night, Mark. See you tomorrow.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Still awake. Going to bed between 10-11.

[Johnmadd]

Still awake. Going to bed between 10-11.

That's 1:00 or 2:00 am east coast time.

[billschusteriv]

Get some rest Marcus. Long day tomorrow. Safe travels.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yep. I should be up late with you guys this weekend. When I go to NYC, I find myself going to bed around 2 AM.

Thanks, Bill.

[Johnmadd]

I go by cali timeclock in my life also, up late and sleep late.

[Crestwood1001]

This threads gonna be awesome!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Lots of pictures tomorrow for you guys.

I'll be posting early in the morning. Won't disappoint.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Everything is ready to go.

Packed. Boarding passes in hand. Roundel magazine in bag. Money in wallet. ID in wallet. Wife's Droid (for pictures). Stickers on me just in case anyone wants to buy some.

That's about it.

See you guys bright and early tomorrow morning (as I'm heading to airport).

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'm out of here in about 15 minutes.

Looking forward to the day.

See everyone soon.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Heading out.

1088

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[Dotpage]

Be safe an enjoy 1st class! And I forgot my pink polo...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Near airport.

1089

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

1090

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just waiting for my flight.

1091

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sitting on plane. Waiting to push off. Next dispatch in houston.

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[Oli77]

Welcome to Houston Boss! You're almost there.

[GSEN820]

Sorry Marcus short notice next time let me know in advance as I will make the trip with you.........

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just landed in houston. Layover for about 1.5 hours.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sorry Marcus short notice next time let me know in advance as I will make the trip with you.........

Will grab you next year, Gary.

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[johnrando]

Just landed in houston. Layover for about 1.5 hours.

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IAH? Eat at Pappsitos Cantina, get the fajitas.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sitting in Presidents Club between flights (one of the perks of having Amex Platinum card).

1094

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[johnrando]

Well then.... nevermind. :-)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Well then.... nevermind. :-)

Yep. Just munching on some snack foods and drinking a Coke. Not a lot of time between flights.

The nice thing is that I can relax here and the girl up front will tell me when it's time to head to the gate.

What I need is a bed. Haha.

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[johnrando]

Yup, gotta love those perks. And, a bed in there could be dangerous. :-) Safe travels the rest of the way!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Unfortunately amex is no longer going to be affiliated with continental airlines as of october 1, 2011. So, taking advantage of the relationship while it does exist.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Running zhpmafia.com from remote office. Hehe.

1095

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

All right. Heading to gate to catch next plane.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Boarding.

Next stop norfolk.

1096

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Getting on plane.

1097

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Next dispatch: virginia.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

To those picking me up: plane is on time. I did have to check my bag, though. This tiny plane could not handle my average-size bag.

Looking at 5:15-5:20 PM arrival. Will have to get bag. See ya at the gate.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

On runway. Bye.

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[billschusteriv]

Sounds good Marcus. Hope you have a great flight. See you soon.

[spencers]

Following the flight on http://www.flightstats.com/
Just enter continental and the flight number: 2889

Fun little map. Constantly stalking updating. :shift

[Oli77]

Look boss, ze plane is coming, ze plane is coming!

[Dotpage]

Following the flight on http://www.flightstats.com/
Just enter continental and the flight number: 2889

Fun little map. Constantly stalking updating. :shift

Soldier: Those lights are blinking out of sequence.
Murdock: Make them blink in sequence!

^^ Anybody remember this?

[Oli77]

MASH?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

In virginia. At airport.

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[kayger12]

Hey Boss. We are in some brutal traffic. Left over 2 hours ago and we're still about 50 minutes out.

We've been at a dead stop for about the last 10 minutes.



Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

Hey Boss. We are in some brutal traffic. Left over 2 hours ago and we're still about 50 minutes out.

We've been at a dead stop for about the last 10 minutes.



Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

+1............ugh.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Hey Boss. We are in some brutal traffic. Left over 2 hours ago and we're still about 50 minutes out.

We've been at a dead stop for about the last 10 minutes.



Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

No worries. I am here.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Texting with keith now. They made a left turn in pennsylvania. Something like that. Dane is in the background saying "yeah, that's the ticket."

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[Oli77]

Wait, lemme get this straight, you guys are making the boss wait? Wheels are gonna roll I tellya.

[Dotpage]

Soldier: Those lights are blinking out of sequence.
Murdock: Make them blink in sequence!

^^ Anybody remember this?

Airplane II

[Oli77]

That was my next choice. Aren't you glad I played the game?

[Dotpage]

lol. Yes, very glad. :D

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I finally got picked up. Only 30 minutes late. Dane drove on medians and shoulders to expedite the trip. Kidding, of course.

The reality is that Dane actually hijacked a helicopter when he realized that he was running behind. Keith, his accomplice, flashed nj police credentials, axel foley style. It worked.

All is well.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Heading out to meet in town.

Fueling up.

1101

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[C Withers Media]

Only $3.87 for premium.......Lucky.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

At the pizza joint.

1106

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Cake.

1122

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[danewilson77]

Yum!!!!!^^^^^

[Marcus-SanDiego]

On my way home.

I must be going the right way.

1125

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[Oli77]

Safe travel boss.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Safe travel boss.

Thank you, sir.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sitting on plane. Just finished raining.

1126

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Still waiting to taxi. High winds in the area.

Here we go. Taking off.

1127

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[static667]

It was great to meet you, Marcus. Hopefully we can meet again in less than a year. Have a safe trip home.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just lifting off. Finally. About 30 minutes late. We are ok, though. I had a 1-hour buffer.

1128




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[kayger12]

Enjoy the flight, Boss. Great weekend.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

So I just landed. I have a plane to catch in 16 minutes. Going to be interesting.

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[danewilson77]

Good luck Boss......you can dhu eeeeet!

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Made it. A minute to spare. Got an assist by a guy in a cart. Dude was looking out for the Mafia.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[Dotpage]

lol, was that in Houston IA? Those golf carts fly!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

lol, was that in Houston IA? Those golf carts fly!

Yeah. Full report tomorrow.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just pulling into the driveway. Made it home safe.

I should be one of the last ones home. Sounds as the flock got home.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[kpro]

Yay! glad to hear you're home safe :) Goodnight! kpro out.

[Sockethead]

Just pulling into the driveway. Made it home safe.

I should be one of the last ones home. Sounds as the flock got home.

We made it home around midnight... only two traffic jams....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

So here is my final story for the thread.

I almost missed my connection last night. Everything was going well in Norfolk, VA, until a storm barreled through the region. Winds started whipping up, too. As a result, we had to sit on the runway for about 40 minutes. What's more, we also got a new flight plan (with new route). Normally, when things are perfect, it takes about 3 hours to get from Norfolk to Houston. The new plan had us taking 3 hours and 30 minutes. The flight attendant, when we took off said that we should arrive in Houston at 9:25 PM Houston time. That's bad. My plane was scheduled to leave Houston at 9:14 PM.

During the flight, I continually had the flight attendant get an update on the arrival time. The first update had us arriving at 9:05 PM. That was still too late. There was no way that I could get from my plane to the other on time.

The second update had us landing at 8:58 PM. That was better but I figured that I would still miss my 9:14 PM flight. I really needed something closer to 8:50 PM.

My third update had us landing at 8:50 PM. Score! Except there was a wrinkle. We had to go to gate B84. That sucked ass. It meant that we'd have to walk outside (where the plane is located). They had to bring the stairs up to the plane so we could do that. That adds 10 minutes. So, I would not be on the run, heading toward the other terminal until 9 PM. That was going to be a challenge.

It got even more challenging when I found out that my Houston-San Diego flight was all the way down at terminal E, which is on the opposite side of the airport. I figured I was staying the night in Houston when I got that information. Still, I wasn't about to throw in the towel. I decided to make a run for it.

If any of you guys have been in terminal B -- and been all the way down to gate B84 -- you know how far the run is just to get to the tram that takes you to different terminals. I was going to need a miracle. My miracle appeared about 4 minutes after I got off the plane. A guy on a cart gave me a ride down to the tram. That saved me about 5 minutes. Still not good enough, though. I didn't get on the tram until 9:10 PM. My plane was pushing off in 4 minutes. Worse, I still had 60 seconds to wait for the tram. Best case, I would be on the tram at 9:11. No good.

My tram arrived at 9:12 PM. I got to Terminal C at 9:14 PM. I got to terminal DEF at 9:17 PM. I figured my plane had already left but I still kept running. Before I left the tram, I got directions to my gate (E14). To the left, down the stairs (four flights), to the left, and then to the right. About a two minute run. That would put me at my gate at 9:19 PM, five minutes after the scheduled departure.

As I cruised toward E14, I saw a line at a gate. Could that be my flight? I was hopeful. As I got closer, I saw that it was my gate. Turns out that my flight was running behind by about 6 minutes. I got there with one minute to spare.

If not for the guy who picked me up in the cart (in terminal B), I probably miss my flight. I should have got his name. He was looking out for the Mafia.

[Dotpage]

Cart dudes FTW, unless you're in their way.. They drive like I do.. lol

Glad you made it!

[Johnmadd]

Cart dudes FTW, unless you're in their way.. They drive like I do.. lol

Glad you made it!:spit