Its that time of year again, EAPA conference time. This year it's in Tampa Florida, which does sound excellent. As a EAPA director i am expected to attend the event, and the various functions attached to it. For board members there is two days of face to face board meetings. Normally we have monthly board calls, and monthly directors calls.
The only decent flight i could get was BA from Gatwick, so the day starte early with 150 mile drive in lousy traffic. Not the greatest start to a long day. The whole process and experience of travelling is not my favourite way to spend time. Its all become a bit of a chore now, airports have such tiresome queues for everything, and the baggage weight has become a strict issue. Fortunately as im only out for a week the baggage is not so weighty, but business clothes are heavier than shorts and tee shirts that id normally need in florida.
The airlines try their best to keep the passengers entertained and quiet, theres music and video on demand se we can please ourselves. Boarding wasn't enjoyable, with a 20 minute queue to get to the seat, then nowhere to stow my bag in the overhead because the crew are taking up the space above me. Hang on, I'm the customer!
When were all strapped in a chap gets up and chances his arm for an upgrade having devised a story about how he needs more room, and he's a silver card holder. Why not just buy a seat in the next section? The crew are nice about it, but he gets nowhere.
I moved my bag from the overhead on the opposite side so that i didn't have to keep going all the way around. It was agreed to stow under a seat opposite, and then almost immediately another crew tells me it cant stay there. Im trying not to get upset about it, its all part of the experience of travelling. I fear someone is going to get told off for allowing a bag to be unrestrained under a seat.
Im waiting now for the drinks trolley, surrounded by a rather garlic odour of lunch, this is because I'm seated right at the back by the galley. Its nice here because you can pass time by chatting with the crew. I like it, I'm not so sure if they do! I'm closer to the snacks and drinks too.
