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Waiting for Sand

I understand the phrase “pounding sand” to be a reference to a futile activity, but “waiting for sand” was a new one to me.

This week, while awaiting takeoff of a small commuter plane, we endured a lengthy and unexpected delay.  Finally the explanation was given.

The plane was “unbalanced” and we were light in the tail section.  To correct this they needed to add weight in the back and we’re waiting for bags of sand to be delivered and loaded onto the plane.

Now if this weight imbalance was a safety issue, then I welcome the delay.  However, if this was done merely to make the plane fly more aerodynamically in order to save fuel, then I’m a bit miffed.

Because of this delay, I missed my connecting flight, as I’m sure was the case with many of my fellow travelers who had even tighter connections then me.

As a result, I understand “waiting for sand” to mean a needless and unwarranted delay.

“Waiting for sand,” seems to be the norm in the airline industry.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Credit Cards Supplant Cash

There was a time when I traveled quite a bit. Nowadays, it is infrequent.  As such when I do travel, I am always treated to something new, to a different way of doing things.

On my last flight, instead of the usual admonition of providing correct change for our various in-flight purchases, the new rule was no cash—credit cards only. 

The flight attendants were equipped with some nifty hand-held credit card terminals, complete with a self-contained mini printer. 

While this didn’t seem to quicken the speed of the transaction (if anything, it slowed it down), there are several benefits to a cashless process.

Most importantly, it is more sanitary. No longer must the flight attendants alternate between touching germ-laden cash and preparing our food.

Next, it is more convenient for passengers. I suspect that nary a passenger would be flying sans credit card, whereas some might be cash strapped.  (I’ve been there a time or two). 

Having the correct amount is no longer an issue, plus for those on an expense account, a credit card makes it easier to track purchases.

It is also more convenient for flight attendants. They no longer need to handle money and are no longer challenged in finding change for those who only have larger bills (I’ve been there as well).

Lastly, I suspect that people spend more when they use plastic. 

A case in point was my seatmate, who flashed her card four times during our three-hour flight: twice for adult beverages, once for earphones, and a final time to eat (she actually bought two meals.)

Traveling still isn’t fun, but at least it’s interesting.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

The Joys of Traveling

You may think that I was AWOL last week, having not posted anything since October 3. Actually, I have been extremely busy.

At the beginning of last week, I was at the ATA (American Teleservices Association) convention in New Orleans.

It was a great convention, but the preparation for the trip, the travel, and the recovery from being gone have pre-occupied me for several days.

After working all day Saturday, I thought I was caught up, only to realize this afternoon that I had overlooked an important task on Friday.

Although that is now complete, I am behind from the things I should have done this afternoon.

Regardless of all that, here are some travel related thoughts:

  • It took two hours to fly from Chicago to New Orleans—and then two hours to get from the airport to my hotel.
  • A pre-flight announcement shared that the plane’s restrooms would not be available for the two-hour flight. There is nothing like being told that there are no restrooms to convince you that you really need one. After de-planing to use the airport facilities, we were told that the plane’s bathroom issue would be resolved before takeoff.
  • United’s check-in kiosk tried to upsell me twice. First, five more inches of legroom for 39 dollars (as I recall) and then something else for 19 dollars. Someone in a hurry could unwittingly press “yes” to either option in their haste to obtain tickets.
  • United also lacked the option to purchase a “snack.”
  • In contrast, Continental gave me a snack on the return flight. What a pleasant surprise—and quite satisfying as well.
  • Like every hotel room I’ve stayed in, this one also wasted water: a dripping faucet and leaking “flapper valve” on the toilet. If every room is likewise functioning, I wonder how much water is wasted annually.
  • I lacked change to tip the shuttle bus driver. Thinking I was being clever, I asked if he had change for a five—he offered me two ones. I’m not sure if he was mathematically challenged or just greedy. Actually, I do know; how sad. 

Anyway, that is the saga of my travels; thankfully a wonderful convention and lots of great people there made it all worthwhile.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.