Deloitte Touche Tomatsu – Take 2, Miami
Sunday – 23:00 hrs PST- We’re finally up in the air. It never fails. Delays, delays. We got to the airport 1 1/2 hours early and check-in was quick enough, but when it came to the security check-in, that took a bit longer. They were doing full checks on just about everyone and just short of a cavity check. Oooo! We ran out of room in our check-in bags and cases so I packed some extra equipment in the carry on. Boy did that trip the sensors and gave the TSA guy quite a look of concern. I took a hand full of video connectors, some Cardellini clamps, and my meter and contrast glass. They went through everything nook and cranny of my bag and made us take off our shoes too. All clear, now time to wait.
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be boarding at gate 212 bound for Miami. Your flight should be leaving on time. Well, almost. Did I mention I hate flying out of Ontario. This time not a huge delay but enough. Ten minutes to secure a door that “wouldn’t arm”?! “ARM” what the…
TRAVEL TIP: The last time I flew with equipment, it took forever to label stuff with addresses and “Fragile” labels. I got smart. I printed a bunch of labels using name tag labels that have a bright red boarder. Posted them all over the place – worked like a charm. I included the production company’s name, address, phone number, and email address. I know I’m not the first to do this, but it could be helpful if you’ve never read it anywhere else. I would suggest using J-lar tape over the label incase it’s raining or moist. Here’s an example…
The view from 30,000 feet is something to behold. The pilot said that we’re flying with a 150 mph tailwind so we’re set to arrive an hour ahead of schedule. That would be great news if we were flying straight into Miami. Instead, we have a lay-over in Atlanta.
Monday – 02:30 hrs CST – Touch Down! We’re in rainy Atlanta and a two hour wait for our flight. Every airport has wi-fi but not for free. It’s a bit of a pain. They all want $10 for 24 hours of use. A bit steep and how much can it really cost to provide.
I’ve seen the same same story on CNN about Jack Johnson. I didn’t care the second time seeing it – I really don’t care the twelfth time watching.
Monday – 07:00 hrs EST – The eagle has landed! We rolled into Miami just after dawn with cloudy skies and thick, humid air.
While watching the bags and cases, just a stones throw are a couple of porters that, as near as I can tell, are from the West Indies. The two men were having a lively discussion with loud voices, arms flailing about but I’m certain they weren’t angry at each other, simply interacting.
RANT: It reminded me of a recent show where the host complained about how many immigrants are mostly here to feed off the system. I have no doubt that might be true to a certain degree. To see these guys busting there hump, working for the American Dream, he needs to see a world away from his south Orange County compound. Sorry for the soap box.
Culture is a funny thing. Another two men were talking to each other well within what most Americans would consider comfortable – that “personal zone”. The older man was holding the younger man by the arm like one might help an elderly woman cross the street. Perfectly comfortable and acceptable.
While on the flight, Julian (the producer/director) found an article in the paper that rated airlines for lost luggage. A cold chill when we saw that Delta – our airline on this trip – ranked 2nd. Fortunately, we arrived with all our luggage intact and non the worse for wear.
The luggage might be alright but we’re a mess. When we called the hotel, they don’t know anything about us! Great. We packed up our things and when to the hotel anyways. It all got resolved once there, but a bit hairy for awhile.
It’s funny the homogeneity of the country these days. The drive from the airport featured industrial complexes, coffee shops and diners similar to every city I’ve been to in the U.S.
RANT: We paid several different folks at several different times to help us move our cargo from one place to another, no time for more than thirty feet. Almost everyone of them gave us a “stick-eye” for the five buck tip. What’s up with that?! (Inside joke.) We usually helped with the bags and took no more than ten minutes of their time. And the bags weren’t that heavy. Then one stewardess huffed about having to move one of our carry-on bags that didn’t fit into the overhead racks and she had to move it to the front of the plane. Smile, we’re the customer and say “thank you” or quit your job if you don’t like it. We were courteous, we said “hello”, etc. etc. Very upsetting.
Lunch time.
Back from lunch. Nice. Grilled ahi sandwich with a fruit salad and water. Healthy from me, surprise, surprise! RANT: It’s amazing to see how acceptable Spanish speaking is here and without the stigma attached to it like in California. Everyone here speaks Spanish openly and without restraint. Los Angeles, and the west coast for the most part, seems to look down on folk who speak Spanish openly. It’s surprising and disappointing.
Day’s end – It’s dinner time and what’s on TV CSI: Miami. Hah!
A bit of a waste of a day. Nothing to do. The colleague I’m with had to finish something for the client. So why am I here, I have no idea, but here I am.
I’m done for today. Boy did I rant today, but hey, it’s my soap box.
It’s that time again… your moment of Zen.
Why did I pick this? Well, it’s a storage center and the logo has the guy with a box but why are his legs buckling? I thought it was funny, but I haven’t had too much sleep!
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