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NEW BUS TO CA
I had been talking to
dispatch all week about my next run, or asking for one. I would be avail either
Sat-Mon, or leaving out Sun or Mon, I wasn't going to be picky. By Friday the
best run was a trip to Sacramento, CA. So I had all weekend to do the math,
plan and re-plan. I had done almost this same run before so I felt safe setting
a Noon flight on Friday, even planned on leaving a little later on Monday to
allow for 'shift creep.' (12 working, 10 hours off means starting up to two
hours earlier each day.)
Monday - 3/28/11
Knowing I
wasn't in a rush, I hadn't done my paperwork until I got to the office on
Monday. Sometime late Friday I found out that there would be another driver
doing the same route. I 'knew' I'd pass him somewhere so I let him go ahead and
get the earlier start.
But things don't go as planned from the start,
I thought I had given him plenty of time to get ahead of me but I end up having
to wait for an hour and a half for him to get out of my way before I can get
rolling. And the fuel is on 'E,' we never used to run these units under
½ full but someone did. I let dispatch know and get rolling.
Two hours down the road I find out that I have 'mechanical' issues that can
limit my speed to 50 mph. Not thinking I have a time issue yet, I stop for our
'suggested' ½ hour shut down when I get to Des Moines. I usually stop at
a rest area for the free WiFi but I know these delays have cost me so I grab a
bite to eat now instead of waiting until tonight.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Montana Mikes, Des Moines IA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"MMMmmm good"
4 of 5 stars
Date of review: Apr 28, 2011 - New
Montana
Mike's, I've seen these around the country but have never stopped at one
before. This place had been a Country Kitchen until the end of December, two
weeks later it's open as a Montana Mike's.
I'm there mid-afternoon and I
wasn't even sure if it was open yet, it was and I was seated right away. I only
have a ½ hour so I say I am going to get it to go so they seat me at the
bar. No, I don't get anything to drink. The best thing 'to go' looked like a
burger so that's what I got. But I also got some French Onion soup to eat while
I wait … MMMmmm good. They used croutons or crumbs instead of a piece of
bread, good to the last drop.
Burger was good too, bacon swiss. Not sure
how there can be that much difference between a simple piece of meat between
restaurants. My only complaint is that it was either a 1/3 or ¼ pounder,
¼ is enough for me, but hard to find except for at fast food.
Was
seated, ordered, ate soup, got to go burger in 20 minutes.
* Reviewer
ratings for this restaurant:
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 4 of 5 stars
Service
* Date of visit: March 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not
even a ½ hour down the highway I see a highway patrol in the median, not
an issue, I'm going 50 mph. I'm about a ¼ mile past when he pulls out,
no lights, not fast, passing me, I'm looking at him, he doesn't seem to be
interested in me, I can see about ttwo miles ahead and he pulls in behind
something and soon the lights come on, I'm too far back to tell what it is, but
it's not a car.
As I get closer I see it is the driver that should
have been a ½ hour ahead of me, I move over like the rest of the traffic
to give the patrol room but he steps out into the lane to make sure I know he
wants be to stop too … guess he thinks he's going to match our log books.
I stop and get out to walk back, but he tells me to stay in my bus.
I
do a quick glance at my paperwork to make sure I've drawn all the lines just in
case. Finally he pulls around in front of me and asks for my drivers license,
medical card, bill of lading and my log … seven days. I didn't have that
ready and it's not all in one place but it is in order. In a few seconds I have
it all handed to him. I don't keep a 'log book' as such, I keep all my
paperwork for each trip stapled together so he gets to see all my backup as
well as my logs. He doesn't ask me any questions or make any comments other
than asking those four things.
Once he's back at his car I realize
that he hasn't done the other guys paperwork either, it just took the other
driver that long to get it together. The cop is right in front of me so I can
see him entering data, making calls, printing ….
45 minutes later
he comes back and gives me my paperwork back, and a report. I've passed …
again. I'm free to go, but he says the other driver will be cleared in a few
seconds so I wait so I don't have to pull around his car. It looks like the
other driver is ready so I pull out, he's not so I leave him sitting there, NOW
time is a wasting. Between waiting for the other driver and this stop I've lost
two hours, and another almost two hours by driving 50 instead of 60 plus.
The other driver calls, he's clear too. But this is his second
inspection in a week.
I get to Kansas City with no issues and by now
traffic is no longer an issue. The other driver is out of hours so he'll not be
fueling tonight, that's what I wanted to know, didn't want to be the one
slowing him down. I've got two hours to fuel before my 14 hours are up so I'm
hoping I can still make it to the closer of our usual stops. No such luck,
finally a few minutes before my 14 hours, I shut the pump down and travel the
one mile to tonight's motel.
Coupons give me a choice of a Knights Inn
for $29 or a Days Inn for $39, It's been a long day so I'll pay the extra $10.
Turns out they are in the same building but I'm too tired to ask the
difference. The desk clerk doesn't like where I've parked so I have to move, no
biggie.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Days Inn,
Kansas City KS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"No problems, got a good night's sleep"
3 of 5 stars
Date of review:
Apr 22, 2011
I've stayed here a few years ago, having the price posted
is what brought me back.
This is one of the motels from the age when the
office and restaurant were in a different building than the rooms. No
restaurant, but a few tables for breakfast 'For Days Inn Guests Only,' the sign
says.
I get a room on the second floor, stairs is showing its age but is
being repaired.
Heat works, room is clean, water is warm. No issues, good
nights sleep, but for $10 less I'll at least ask about the Knights in next door
next time, they are in the same building.
Breakfast was the basic, dry
cereal, juice, bread, donuts.
* Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 4 of 5 stars Location
o
3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep
Quality
* Date of stay: March 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tuesday - 3/29/11
10 hours down and I'm rolling, still
issues so I'm holding the speed at 50, that' cost me another almost two hours
today, and that will cost me my flight. I only had about six hours to play
with.
I spent some time last night looking at fuel stops, once I hit
the OK line (this type of alterative) fuel will no longer be an issue. The fuel
gauge is at the back of the unit so I stop every 50 miles and log the reading
and note it in my log. I'm doing OK today so I don't need to stop before our
usual place in OKC. But last time all four pumps were down, I didn't get a
complete fill, so the other driver has another suggestion.
It's easy
to find, closer to the freeway and in a gas station so it has a restroom,
something NA at most pumps. Pump starts out fast, someone had told me last trip
that they were fueled in 15 minutes, not this pump, at least not today. I'm
there an hour … more time lost. I'm looking at how to not be stopped more
than a ½ hour at any one pump.
The other driver has had
additional issues and is now four hours behind me. This just isn't his day, or
week.
From here I need to make up some time and there is another fuel
stop two hours down the road where I need to get a good fill. I do have to wait
there a couple of minutes but then it takes about 15 minutes to fill. But I'm
not starting at 'E' this time. Leaving, I look again for how to get some food
to eat while fueling and I find it. I'll have to cross the highway to get in
and out, but there is a Arby's and McDonalds next to a mall with plenty of room
to park and turn around. Next time.
From here I don't know how far
I'll get, I'll be up against my 14 for the second day in a row. I had counted
on running 12-13 hour days to take advantage of the 'shift creep.' This is the
second longest route between fuel stops so I'm still taking it slow(er) Turns
out that Amarillo will be my stop tonight.
I know there are motels for
$29, but again it's been a long day and I need a good nights sleep. And I need
to be off the road before my 14 hours. I know there is a Best Value by the
truck stops on the east end of town. So I pull off at the first exit by the
Flying J. It's not there. I stay on their frontage road to the next exit by the
Pilot. This is it, it also has a Super 8 that I go past so I stop there first
… $54 ? … no thanks. The sign at the Best Value is flashing $39.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - America's Best Inns,
Amarillo TX <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Lots
of truck parking plus the truckstop next door."
3 of 5 stars
Date of
review: Apr 22, 2011
The sign out front is flashing $39 and that is as
low as they'll go. Bar onsite, Waffle House next door. Interesting signs at the
front desk, including their list of places there shuttle goes for free …
ABF, (and a couple of other truck lines), the airport, the bus station …
and the prisons. 15 locations listed in all. Anywhere else is $10 or more.
Only surprise at the front desk was when I asked a question, I was told that
they had "already told me that." ;)
This is an older motel, stairs is
showing it's age but it clearly caters to to truckers and the working class.
Lots of truck parking plus the Pilot next door.
One 'first' for the room,
the floor wasn't flat, it was like it was warped under the carpet. Pictures say
the rest.
* Reviewer ratings for this hotel: o 4 of 5 stars Value o 3
of 5 stars Rooms o 3 of 5 stars Location o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness o 3 of 5
stars Service o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: March 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wednesday - 3/30/11
10 hours and rolling,
For
some reason the engine oil looks like rust this AM, but have been the early
morning sun.
Dispatch calls and says we need to keep the speed up,
just make sure we don't run out of fuel. I had sent dispatch a detailed list of
what had to happen the next three days for me to make delivery before close of
day on Friday, I've already blown my flight off. They had told the other driver
yesterday that making delivery on time ''could not be a problem.'' I disagreed
and put it in writing.
I had included two breaks, two scales for
permits and one fuel stop for today so it's going to be another 14 hour day.
But then I decided to do something I really don't like doing. I'll combine my
breaks with my scale/permit stops. I don't like spending that much time at the
scale for fear they'll get bored or interested in me.
One guy ahead of
me was having his log looked and was being asked "how fast were you driving?" I
would have liked to stayed and listened but …
No one ahead of me
at the fuel stop but a maintenance man is on site so we start to talk. It does
cost me a few minutes that I don't really have but I did find out something
interesting ….
A few weeks ago I was having issues with another
pump and the person at the 800 number wanted me to test a leaking pump while I
was on the phone.
"Isn't that dangerous?" I asked
"No, only
if you have an open flame" was his reply.
So today I ask this guy if I
can use the phone around this type of gas …
Sure, no problem
… ONCE !" … and went on to talk about 'Darwin awards.' Real
comforting to know I was that close to being in a million pieces before I've
turned to dust.
Next stop is the next scale and another break.
Sometime today the boss has called and said they are flying in two drivers to
move our buses from PHX to ONT to gain us enough hours. It is end of quarter
and these need to be there Friday. I'm still close to being able to make it on
my own, but no way (IMO) for the other guy.
Kicking it down today has
gained me a good hour plus, plus combining my breaks and scale stops for
another ½ hour. To my surprise I'll be able to make it Flagstaff. If I
hadn't, it was an issue of taking a break and making staying in Winslow or not
taking a break and stopping in Holbrook. Not taking a break would have gained
me another much needed ½ hour but now that help is on its way … And
I'll be able to get some rest, my driver is flying in at 10:30 so no reason to
rush to PHX, I can sleep in. Sort of.
Flagstaff is not our usual place
to stay but I find a coupon for a Rodeway Inn so I decide I'll brave it and
give it a try. Guess I'm in a better mood than last week.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Rodeway Inn, Flagstaff AZ
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Rodeway …
your Flagstaff location has redeemed you."
3 of 5 stars
Date of
review: Apr 22, 2011
Plenty of truck parking, they'll give me the
coupon rate.
When I check out the room, first I'm impressed and then
… It sounds like the fridge is really loud, so I go over to unplug it and
find out it's a construction crew outside my window doing improvements in the
pool area. And this room has a deck overlooking the pool.
Rodeway …
Flagstaff has redeemed you. Yes, there are good and bad locations in every
chain … at least on the lower end. This one is on the top end (compared to
my last stay) of this chain. The only other thing I noticed was that some of
the signs in the building either still had the prior name on them or had had
the prior name cut out and not listed the new name.
And for some
reason there was double soap and shampoo supplies in the room. Also a breakfast
was a big draw, looked like just the basics.
* Reviewer ratings for
this hotel:
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5
stars Location
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o
3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
" Date of stay: March 2011
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Country Host Restaurant,
Flagstaff AZ <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"I'll be back here if I'm in the area again"
3 of 5 stars
Date of
review: Apr 22, 2011 - New
The person at the front desk of the motel
suggested the restaurant next door.
Food was very good, I didn't dare try
the meatloaf, but wanted too. I hate to test unique foods on the road, but as
good as the coleslaw and patty melt were I will if I get the chance to stop
here again.
* Reviewer ratings for this restaurant:
o 3 of 5
stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Service
* Date of visit: March 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thursday - 3/31/11
Ahhh … finally a good night's
sleep, plenty of time and hopefully enough fuel to get the 7,000 foot drop to
PHX. Nooo problem.
I'm fueled and waiting in Phoenix when the other
driver calls. I had asked the boss if I could just pick up the driver at the
airport but he said no, he can take a taxi. Even though I said airport buses
run the same route.
The other driver calls, he doesn't want to spend
the $7 so he's going to walk … so I'll have to walk.
KCCO 8 IN
DES MOINES FILMING …
I call him after a few minutes and he is now
in an area where I can pick him up without worrying about the overhang / height
of the bus. Turns out he had gotten a ride to one of the park and rides, so I
only have to walk two blocks to do the same thing. It is a good thing we didn't
use a taxi, it takes a while to bring him up to speed on what's happening with
this trip … then he drops me off and he's off.
(The rest is
written a week later, after I've done this same trip again … )
Sign says the shuttle runs every 10 minutes, must have just missed the last
one. No problem at the ticket kiosk and I'm off to the far corner of the
airport. The 2nd driver had hoped he could make this flight but didn't. His guy
was in a motel, would have made more sense (to me) to have his new guy train
with me and the guy flying in meet up with the later guy.
Short flight
to ONT, small airport. The 2nd driver has spent a few trips in the area so he
has suggested the Red Roof Inn for all of us. I had thought we'd be swapping
the buses at the airport long term lot but the motel parking lot works. Free
shuttle, saves the boss some money.
>>>>>>>>
TRIP ADVISOR - Red Roof Inn, Ontario CA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"My co-workers
did not steer me wrong on this motel" 3 of 5 stars Date of review: Apr 22, 2011
This motel was recommended to me by co-workers. They didn't steer me
wrong.
Called for their shuttle when I got to the airport, had an early
check in, around 3 PM. This place looked more like a Holiday or Quality Inn
than your typical Red Roof. Everything was clean and orderly. Even with an
early check-in the place was quiet enough for sleeping.
The parking lot is
not designed for large vehicles but there has always been enough room when my
co-workers and I have been here. It's on my list of 'Airport motels with
shuttles,' no reason to look for another.
* Reviewer ratings for this
hotel:
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars
Location
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5
stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: April 2011
* Visit was for:
Business
* Solo Traveler * Member since: November 28, 2010
*
Recommended by this reviewer? Yes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Food - not reviewed
I have plenty of time, but it's not easy going to
bed at 5 PM so I can be up at 1 AM. I do sleep for a few hours but not well
after that.
Friday - 4/1/11
Sometime during the night
the 2nd drivers bus came in, I can't see mine from the window and made it clear
to the other driver I didn't want any calls … I needed to sleep.
Bus is fueled, checks good and I'm rolling.
Not much traffic at that
time of the AM, for a big city. But more traffic than I see all day in NE or WY
sometimes. Bus drops down to 30 mph on some of the hills, also sucks 900# in
that hour. That's the most I've used in any one hour from a 'settled' tank.
Spending the night in Ontario has saved me a cooldown stop. I bypass the
suggested fuel stop in Bakersfield and keep going to Tulare. The other driver
didn't see the scale at 'about the 2nd exit after he fueled.' (Nope, it was the
3rd, big Pilot sign. I'll have to check to see if the Flying J at the fuel exit
now has a Cat scale) So, now I need to scale in Tulare also, need to scale when
they are full … yeh, last time I forgot and had to weight it twice, bus
weighted 120 less after fueling.
And since last time the crew at Loves
has learned how to do a certified ticket, last time I weighted three times and
they never got it right. No problems this time, now on to the wash. Other
driver checked in while I was fueling, another good day for him. The motel
didn't give him his wakeup call, there was an accident that closed the freeway
and he got re-routed the opposite direction … and shortly after that call
when he weights his bus the power will go off and he'll be delayed once again.
It's still dark when I fuel, but is finally getting light … long
morning. We get routes, city to city, of our trips. But it doesn't tell us we
need to get from highway CA-99 over to I-5 to get to our wash but something
clicks and I find out beforehand … CA-120 I think is the cut off.
12 trucks ahead at the wash … it's almost noon and the other driver is
still holding at about two hours behind me. I check to see how long it will
take to wash, I should have checked before getting in line. There is no 2nd
chance to get out of line. While I'm in checking, one truck moves from my line
to another line leaving only two RVs ahead of me. 12 is worse than it sounds,
they had all three bays open. They don't want to accept that we want a 'water
only' wash/rinse. One guy says they won't even charge for that … oh yes
they will. $35.
Turns out it only takes me one hour and I'm rolling,
I've talked to dispatch a few times about options for the other driver. Turns
out they are going to let him take a shortcut and send a mobile wash to the
delivery site.
I find the drop with no issues, a crew of three is
waiting for me, two more are on their way from the motel once they hear I'm
here. I'm in no hurry, more like trying to keep them busy, stalling for the
other driver so it doesn't seem as long a wait.
2nd driver calls for
directions, I walk away from the inspectors to talk to him … I should have
walked out to the driveway. He misses the drop and I have to guide him back
from somewhere I haven't been. The sight inspector decides he doesn't want the
wash and is ready to sign off. We are supposed to deliver by 3 PM and it's now
after 2. The 2nd driver and him go to sign off and it takes a while, I think
about it a couple of times before finally deciding to go check what the delay
is. It's not my job but ….
Didn't find out what the delay was but
the inspector was trying to get the correct paperwork … with his jacket
under his arm. He was ready to go home. Kind of what I thought and didn't want
the other driver to keep talking to him and delay him, I have to deal with this
guy again next week and I want him happy to see me :
Now that that is
done we can decide how to get out of here, the other driver still does not know
where / when his flight is. He finds out he's on the same flight as me tomorrow
AM so we can split a ride to the airport. Kind of why I was in no rush to get
out of here. It takes the driver a while to get his stuff together and clean
out his bus, something he says he normally does at the wash (as I do) This time
he can't find a notebook that has all his numbers and helpful hints in it, he
goes through everything a couple of times and finally does one final check of
the bus as we are walking to the gate. He finds it, stuck behind the driver's
seat.
We need to be outside the gate by 3:30 PM so we stand in the sun
and make phone calls, his phone died on him already and mine is down to two
bars. Super Shuttle is only $50 but can't get there for three hours. So I call
my wife to get taxi numbers, neither number I get works. Now the other driver
starts using my phone to call on rental cars. Online said Avis was $27, but on
the phone they say $89. Budget is $37 but they won't come and get us and the
taxi they suggest never calls us back. We have to get still another phone
number from someone to call for a taxi.
Taxi ends up being $25, the
car is in the other drivers name but he's too tired to drive so I have to get
my name added to the car, no charge this time. By now I'm starved but he's not
so I just stop and get some juice, I haven't had anything to eat yet today and
I've been up about 16 hours by now. Then he decides he'll need cash, we see one
of his banks and pull in. Actually just an ATM on the side of a building, it's
down. Someone else trying to get cash knows where another one is and we end up
following them there. Turns out all the ATMs for this bank on the west coast
are down. So he had to get his cash from a teller, but he got it and we are
rolling.
Neither of us have looked at a map, we just want to get near
the airport. Turns out we take the long way around by following the signs.
There is nothing 'near' the airport, and we didn't pass anything cheap getting
there so we keep going. The other driver realizes he's been in this area before
and shows me where a fueling stop was … hmmm, usually they want these
buses full, they did this time too but the two pumps the prior drivers tried
were 'company cards' only and today we were running late.
We find
three motels, Motel 6, Days Inn and Quality Inn. I call the Quality Inn so I
know what we are comparing too. Motel 6 is out, we both want a good nights
sleep, good bed. Days Inn won't honor their coupon because they only allow so
many per day and those are gone. We finally get the room for $60. I offer to
share a room but warn that I snore. Nope, he had enough snoring last night when
he shared a room with the driver that brought him his bus.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Days Inn, Woodland CA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Closest good
deal to the airport"
3 of 5 stars
Date of review: Apr 22, 2011 - New
We find three motels in Woodland, the Motel 6, Days Inn and Quality
Inn. I call the Quality Inn so I know what we are comparing too. Motel 6 is
out, we both want a good nights sleep, good bed. Days Inn won't honor their
coupon because they only allow so many per day and those are gone. I understand
the rules, and it is a Friday night so a lot of locations won't honor them for
that reason.
It's still the best deal for us, we each get a room, no
complaints. Rooms are clean and warm, water is hot. Early flight out so we
aren't there to try the breakfast.
We ended up in Woodland because it
was closer to the SAC airport than the motels on the Sacramento side.
* Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars
Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5
stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: April 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Food review - not done (food was done)
I realize the place is closing
and get up and start walking away before he he's ready. He actually eats slower
than I do … a lot slower.
Saturday - 4/2/11
Our
flight is not until almost 7 AM but we are up and ready to go at 4:30 …
actually we had said 4:30 but were both ready at 4:15 instead.
We fuel
next door, $13 … $75 for our ride instead of $50 for Super Shuttle, but
maybe we saved some money on our motels
It takes us a couple of rounds
around the airport to find the rental car return, guess we were too busy
talking on the way in and missed it. Shuttle bus to the terminal.
No
issues at the kiosk or security, flight still says boarding … but. People
coming up later say they have heard it's delayed. It is. There is electrical
issue and we are waiting for a part, it is on a flight coming in in two hours.
I don't get too excited, it's an electrical issue, what are the
chances this won't fix it. That doesn't stop everyone else from re-booking
their second legs of their flights. It doesn't fix it and now they are offering
to get people out anyway they can, the other driver takes an offer for
tomorrows flight and heads to the airport. He doesn't work Saturdays and he's
been uneasy all morning.
The 2nd part should be here in another two
hours, so says the pilot who now seems to be keeping us updated with the most
current info.
Then ... the 3rd part should be here in … yep,
another two hours. Now they have called me to get me on another flight. No can
do. I have to tell them I no longer 'need to go to Kansas City,' (where my
ticket says I'm going.) I now need to go to Minneapolis so I can stay on my
timetable to meet next week's flight, which they can see on their computer.
3rd part doesn't do it … I should have known and been ready to
get in line. I wasn't. The flight was canceled and the 20-30 people left who
hadn't already bailed get in line, I'm 2nd to the last. Would have been quite
and empty flight if the part had worked.
At this point we are all in
one line, and the gate person says we can go to the main ticket counter …
before anyone moves, someone in line asks what the wait is at the main counter.
They call and ask. Three agents, four customers … I go, full speed. Not
sure why then except I've been sitting for a long time.
I get the 'new
gal' and she has two options, one has two layovers and gets me home Sunday at
midnight and the other is a redeye … I think into Monday AM. But I have to
work by 7 AM, and need my 10 hours off before then. I only had an hour to spare
this week with someone else doing part of the driving, I can't afford to leave
any later.
I finally ask what do they have leaving yet tonight, I'll
spend the night somewhere else. Their computers will not show over-night
layovers … we found one right away. LAX tonight, airport at 6 AM, home at
noon. And the flight leaves in 20 minutes. Back through security, they'll run
any other info up to the gate for me.
I make it … had I waited in
line up at the gate I'd still be in line. Everyone else is loaded, area is so
empty I went to the wrong gate.
I didn't get the rest of my info in
SAC so when I got of the flight I found from an agent who wasn't busy and got
my hotel voucher and some more meal vouchers. I hadn't used the ones from the
AM so now I might have enough to eat. The agent suggested I eat here, at the
airport, much cheaper than this motel.
I had been working on some
computer stuff all day other than when I ate one sandwich (Before they handed
out vouchers) and waiting in line. I'm still not done. And I need to be done
with this 36 hours before I can get in my next truck. I've made a couple of
mistakes, either from rushing or from being tired. It costs me more time. I
never expected it to take me over 12 hours to do six billable hours of work,
but it did. I end up cutting into my 36 and now will have to leave 15 minutes
late Monday AM.
… now I can eat. Here is a bar and a sushi place,
but I find a California Pizza place. For my vouchers, I can get a pizza, two
juices and three cookies. : I spend it all. Good pizza, much better than the
same thing frozen, or maybe it's just been 12 hours since I ate that sandwich.
But by the 2nd piece I realized I couldn't eat it all so no sense in eating the
crusts. Then I saw someone putting packs of parmesan cheese on their pizza
… mmmm. I found it and did the same.
… and now finally,
three hours after I get to the airport I can call the shuttle and go to the
motel. The Westin
http://www.westinlosangelesairport.com/
Just checked
now and the cheapest room there is $185 per night. It doesn't show online, but
a burger was going to cost me $20, a steak would be $34. Good thing the ticket
agent tipped me off.
They did ask when I checked in if I was going to
be dining tonight, this is run like a big buck hotel (as far as I know). Lots
of help, addressing people by name when you call the front desk, high ceilings,
glass and shiny stuff everywhere. The couple ahead of me looked as out of place
as I did, a young couple in their early 20's with just one small backpack
between them. They looked as likely to have gotten off the Greyhound as to be
using a airline voucher.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR
- Days Inn, Woodland CA <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"The place was first class all the way"
4 of 5 stars
Date of
review: Apr 22, 2011 - New
They did ask when I checked in if I was
going to be dining tonight, this is run like a big buck hotel (for as much I
know about big buck hotels). Lots of help, addressing people by name when you
call the front desk, high ceilings, glass and shiny stuff everywhere. The
couple ahead of me looked as out of place as I did, a young couple in their
early 20's with just one small backpack between them.
Anyone who has read
my other reviews knows that I'm often staying in motels that are $30 or less if
I don't fear for my safety. Cheapest online rate for this motel tonight was
$185, but I'm here on an airline voucher.
The place was first class all
the way, my only issue was when they wanted to charge me $12.95 to use the
internet, sorry, I can wait until I'm back to the airport. (Remember, I'm
cheap)
This is the kind of place you (I) go for special occasions.
* Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 3
of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 4 of 5 stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of
stay: April 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sunday - 4/3/11
I've now been out seven days …
and I had planned on delivering on the fourth day …
6 AM flight
so I was up by 3:30 again to catch the 4 AM shuttle. The shuttle stops at two
other motels before going to the airport. No bump this AM going home …
Home at noon, ready to roll again in 18 hours. |
|
