… that I actually looked forward to flying on US Airways last night. But I’ll get to that in a second.

First, an observation after flying since Sunday afternoon…

I know that flight attendants have to go through the ‘emergency procedure talk’ before each flight. But for God’s sake….should someone actually *be* flying if they cannot buckle a friggin seatbelt by now? Isn’t that like failing a basic IQ test for a job? Or not being able to follow basic instructions on how to punch a hole in a card to vote (Yes, Palm Beach….that dig was at you!)

Keep this in mind….if you are on a plane involved in an emergency (or worse), you will have to rely on your fellow passengers to make sure all of you get out safely. Do you really want your life put in the hands of someone who is so stupid they are incapable of buckling their seat belt? I think it is time to stop the “seat belt” demonstration. If a flight attendant goes through the plane and someone is struggling to buckle the seat belt…kick them the hell off the plane! (/stepping off soapbox)

Now, I never thought I would ever look forward to flying US Airways, but United has been so bad this summer I couldn’t wait to get onto another airline on my flight back from Wilmington, NC to Dulles last night. Nearly everyone who was stuck with me in another United mess on Sunday at Dulles’ Terminal G (G for God-Awful) all agreed that United sux!

First, the desk and flight attendants at US Airways actually seem as though they like their jobs! Big difference where United employees seem to take out their anger at their passengers. Then as I approached the gate for my last leg in Charlotte-Dulles, I had my breath taken away when I was handed (without asking!!) an upgraded seat in First Class. You mean US Airways actually *wants* me to fly with them again? (Hello! United!!!!) And the two flight attendants were, well, HAPPY!

It was such a pleasureable flight especially since every single United flight I have been on this summer has been dramatically late or cancelled — and I’ve been flying every single week since Memorial Day.

Final note for you East Coast travelers….. If you are flying through Charlotte, make sure to stop for lunch or dinner at the Carolina Pit BBQ restaurant in the big atrium between Concourses A/B and C/D. Yum, yum, yum!

-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com

Let me count the ways….. But today, Northwest actually cemented the fact that my trip to Portland would start out with a hellish experience.

As Sophia would say….… “PICTURE IT…..”

Philadelphia Airport at 4:45AM on Thursday. An attractive young (ahem) man arrives to find the very first United flight out to their main hub (Chicago) is already late… and he will miss his connection to Portland thereby throwing his entire travel day in jeopardy before it begins….
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Well, frankly it sucks. Just as my flight to Denver was ready to taxi from the gate yesterday, a line of thunderstorms shut down Dulles Airport. Living near the airport, I can tell you it is like “Thunderstorm Alley.” Did anyone observe the weather there before the place was built? And I’m not the only one who knows how bad Dulles is this time of year.

Prepare for Days of Dulles Delays – DCist

Of course, the actual process of air travel is just soooo enjoyable. PatriotPartner has it right — it is like riding a high-priced bus with terrible customer service.

The focus of a lot of my frustration is United Airlines. During one week a couple months ago, I calculated that United had taken over 30 hours of my life away from me. I asked their Customer Service (and I use that term loosely) Representative how United would pay me for that lost time. She was flummoxed by my question.

Yesterday’s flight… once it took off… was par for the course with United. It was after 7pm when our plane finally left, and yet there was no real food…. even to purchase. But back in seat 42G, my only option was a “Fun Pack” for $5.00 which consisted of strawberry applesauce and a fruit rollup. Not a real meal, eh?

When I got to Denver, the “Customer Service” Center was closing despite a full flight of DC passengers who missed their flights. You know, *I* had to wait 1.5 hours on the ground…. couldn’t they wait 10 min. to go home? I guess United doesn’t believe in going the extra mile for their customers. Oh, and no offer of food once I arrived in Denver, and just a “discount” on an area hotel (think “Motel 6”)

Maybe I’ll start a new blog…. UnitedSux.com

Headed to Boise Idaho later this morning… I hope.

-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com

Happy 229th Birthday to the United States of America. Still the best hope for freedom, free enterprise and the future of mankind after all these years.

I have to point out that as PatriotPartner and I are spending our first July 4th out of our country, the American and Australian flags are flying at our home back in Virginia (under the watchful eyes of PatriotMom and PatriotPooches).

The Australian flag is on the right to fulfill a promise I made a few months ago to fellow gay conservative blogger RomeoMike in Australia. (See here: Belated Happy Australia Day)

RomeoMike’s posting: I have decided to fly one next to the Aussie flag at home this Australia day. We’d thought hard about the appropriateness of such symbolism on our national day. In the end though, the US is our greatest ally who has always stood by us and with whom we are united, we are greatly indebted, the US is doing so much to help the big picture around the world yet receives ingratitude or hostility from so many quarters; how couldn’t we?

My response: Can someone please remind me when we get close to July 4th to go out an buy an Australian flag to return the favor!!!

Mission accomplished.

Thanks to NorthDallasThirty for the reminder!!!

(UPDATE: This posting was originally done on June 29, but because I can’t currently put up new photos on the Disney Cruise, I decided to modify the original post.)

Please let me know what your plans are for the Fourth of July!!!

-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com

If you think business travel is glamorous…. you are wrong and probably haven’t done much of it. I was up for 21 hours yesterday for work, much of it involving air travel or waiting to fly.

I woke up at 3:30am Monday morning to catch a 6:10am flight at Dulles Airport in Virginia, bound for Okaloosa Regional Airport in Florida (think Panhandle). On the Dulles-Atlanta leg (Delta Flight 748 to be exact), there was a bit of an issue surrounding an Arabic gentleman sitting in the exit row across the aisle from me. I know he was Arabic because he was reading a book with Arabic text. You see, you have to speak fluent English to sit in the exit row in order to handle instructions and give out orders in the case of emergency.

When first asked by the female flight attendant if he spoke English, his response was “a little bit.” The flight attendant rightly said he would have to move and she began looking for another seat for him. He grumbled but didn’t put up much of a fight. But the male flight attendant got all “PC” and pulled the female flight attendant back behind the wall where they discussed the situation.

Suddenly she came back and asked the Arabic-reading man a couple more questions where he was able to answer perfect English. So to err on the side of political correctness, and not on the side of terrorism-protection, the Delta flight attendants sided with the Arabic-speaking man. Interesting. Meantime, last June, I was accused of “being a threat” when I complained to the captain of an American Airlines flight about the lack of communication passengers were receiving on a seriously delayed flight and being trapped on the plane with no water. Go figure. White guys never win.

Now what if the new al-Qaeda strategy involved bringing down planes by reaching over in mid-air and pulling out the emergency exit doors on the wings? I nearly got up and said something to the flight attendant to complain about my safety. And I probably should have. But instead I kept my eye on the man the whole way.

******

After a day in the field in Destin, Florida, I headed back Monday afternoon for a flight back (through Atlanta again) to Charlotte, NC. In Atlanta, Delta Flight 636 to Charlotte made an extraordinarily slow taxi all the way up to the end of the runway where the other planes were lined up. We were about 5th from takeoff when the pilot announced a probe wasn’t working and we were headed back to the gate. The trip all the way out to the runway and all the way back took over one and a half hours! Why didn’t they know the equipment wasn’t working BEFORE the long journey away from the gate began? Perhaps it was so we could leave the gate for an “on time” departure?

After switching planes, I finally arrived in Charlotte at my hotel at 1:00am this morning.

I’m tired and cranky today.

I know, I know…. this is very late. But life has been a whirlwind at the Patriot Household lately. Anyway, here are some photos from my business trip to Key West last week..

These were all taken at Mallory Square just as the sun was setting. Those of you who have been there know the carnival atmosphere that reigns supreme! All of the street performers earn their livings from tips given as they perform.

Here’s a fire-juggler on a unicyle. Not for me… scared of heights!

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