Finished my Expense Report for Virginia Beach, VA trip

I finished up my expense report for my trip to Virginia Beach, VA. I spent a lot on cough drops, tissues and water. I hate traveling with a cold.

At least, I am feeling a lot better and I don't have to carry my projector with me. That is a great thing. I will, however, be carrying my mobile broadband adapter and netbook. I checked into a hotel that charged for internet connection. Ten dollars! Are you kidding me? I have stayed in hotels that weren't as nice, but, at least, I got free internet.

I printed out my boarding passes for tomorrow's flight. I will be landing in Chicago at noon and have about 90 minutes to relax. I finally get a peaceful layover.

Training Schedule for the Next Couple of Weeks

I will be delivering training to the client's local sales offices for the next couple of weeks. Here is the schedule.

1. Logansport, IN (3/1-3/3)
2. Fort Collins, CO (3/8-3/9)

You can click on the cities to look at the places I will be visiting including hotels, restaurants and the client's offices.

Arrived back in Austin with a Cold

While delivering class in Virginia Beach, VA, I managed to catch a cold. If there is one I absolutely dislike, it is flying while sick. I used to get sick everytime I flew when I worked at Tandem/Compaq. I didn't like it then and I certainly don't like it now.

I did arrive back in Austin, TX late Tuesday night and slept for most of Wednesday and Thursday. I started to feel better late Thursday and was able to teach computer classes at Lakeline Oaks Retirement Community in Cedar Park, TX.

I also managed to give the cold to my daughter. So, she got a t-shirt and a cold from Virginia Beach, VA.

Now in Virginia Beach, VA

I finally made it to my destination, Virgina Beach, VA. I picked up a t-shirt for my daughter, Elizabeth, at the airport. Since I have to fly out right after class, I wanted to pick up the shirt before I had to leave. I didn't want to be rushed.

I got to my hotel room. It is smaller than I'm used to, but it isn't bad. There is a dog in the room across from mine. I hope that it doesn't decide to bark at night.

I had dinner at Surf Rider West. I highly recommend the crab cakes. They are moist and full of crab. I enjoyed the meal.

Needless to say, tomorrow will be a long day. The class has 20 students in it and I have to get to the airport right after class. I will be returning to Austin by 11:30PM. I hope that the weather is not going to delay my flight. According to my wife, the forecast has reduced the chance of snow and ice in Austin. I have had to sleep in an airport once in my traveling life. I don't want to add to my experiences.

Missed My Connecting Flight

Just as I got to the gate, my flight was moving away from JetBridge. I missed it by a few minutes. I ran to the Delta desk and tried to get on a flight. The computer assigned me to the 7:28 Tuesday morning flight. I called the customer service hotline and explained my situation. The agent looked and saw that 1 seat came available. She said that she had never seen a closed flight open a seat so close to departure time.

Well, I'm on the flight and will be arriving in Norfolk at 6:15PM ET.

Arrived in Atlanta!

I arrived in Atlanta after leaving 32 minutes late. The flight was packed. I have 24 minutes to make my connecting flight. We are waiting for the plane at our arrival gate to leave. This is going to be really close.

Arrived at ABIA

I arrived safely at ABIA. My flight to Atlanta has been delayed by 16 minutes. Since I have a short layover in Atlanta, I don't have a lot of time to spare.

Virginia Beach, VA

I will be flying to Virgina Beach, VA on Monday to deliver a training class on Tuesday for 20 students. The training class will be a short gig. I will fly out of Virginia Beach at 6:40PM and arrive in Austin at 11:30PM. I will be connecting out of Atlanta again. I am visitin Atlanta a lot.

The weather will be cold and rainy, but, at least, no snow or ice to deal with. I will be having dinner at the Surf Rider. It is my understanding that the crab cakes are to die for.

Confirmation Received - Jesse is Going to Virginia Beach, VA

I got my confirmation email. I will no longer be going to Melbourne, FL. I'm scheduled for Virginia Beach, VA. It will be cold, but, at least, no snow.

So Much for Warm Climates!

I just received an email and it looks like I will not be going to Melbourne, FL. I will probably be going to Virginia Beach, VA. It's going to be cold, but, at least, the weather looks sunny and clear. Cold and clear is just the way I look it. I should receive a confirmation shortly.

New Assignments for Training

I have been assigned the following training assignments.

2/22-2/24: Melbourne, FL
3/1-3/3: Logansport, IN

Not bad. I get a warm climate and then a cold climate.

Flight to Austin

Although we had a little turbulence during the flight, the flight was uneventful and was relaxing.

I was able to read my "USA Today" on my Kindle and listen to some music. The flight had only one empty seat.

My next trip is scheduled for the week February 22nd. I will be flying to Melbourne, FL. I certainly hope that the weather is nice. I definitely had my fair share of snow and ice.

It looks like my flight will land on time in Austin. We are starting to descend into the clouds. In about 10 minutes, we should be on the ground.

Getting ready to Leave Atlanta

The flight is packed. I barely made the flight. Everything is still on time. I thought we would be delayed in Atlanta, everything seems fine.

Leaving Roanoke

My flight finally left the Roanoke airport after being delayed by 45 minutes. The airplane had to be de-iced. According to Susan, the flight attendant, I should be able to make my connecting flight in Atlanta to Austin with no problem.

I must say that Susan is one of most pleasant flight attendants I have ever met. She is making this flight a pleasure (even with the delays). She should be the spokesperson for Delta.

Leaving Roanoke

I just boarded my flight for Atlanta everything looks good for on time departure. The flight is packed.

Arrived at Roanoke Airport

The drive to the airport wasn't bad at all. The wind, however, is a killer. As I was walking across the parking lot, the wind cut into my skin like a knife. The weather clear, but very cold.

With the wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour, some flight delays are already being reported. According to the weather reports, the really high winds will be occurring, this afternoon. Hopefully, I will be leaving Atlanta prior to the really high winds.

I will be boarding shortly. My plane is at the gate. I am praying for a safe and relaxing flight.

Getting ready to Head to the Airport

I'm relaxing with a cup of coffee before I make the trip to the Roanoke airport. Just about 15 minutes ago, I checked my car. It is covered in ice.

The rental car office doesn't open until 7AM. So, I will have breakfast here at the hotel before driving to the airport.

Made it to the Client's Office

I made it to the client's local sales office. It was 7:23AM when I arrived. The manager arrived about 5 minutes after I did.

I had 19 students. Big class! It went well.

After class, I risked the weather and went Parker's Seafood for dinner. It was delicious. When I left, it was snowing. I got back to my hotel safely.

It is Snowing!

I just went out to my Budget rental car and it is covered in snow. The snow is falling right now. It looks wonderful, but I don't like traveling in it. I will be taking some more pictures of it and putting them in my photo album.

Up at 4AM!

OUCH! I was able to get some sleep. Although I have been traveling a lot, I still find it difficult to sleep in strange beds. Just one of those things for me.

According to the weather, there is light snow falling right now.

Last night, I ironed my shirt for this morning's training class. I hope that I can travel in this weather. From traveling around last night, the city of Roanoke is dealing with the winter admirably. Roads and parking lots were cleared and things were moving nicely through the town.

Well, I better get moving.

Photo Album Now Up and Running for Roanoke Trip!

Click here to see the slide show.

Landed in Roanoke, VA

I landed in Roanoke, VA. It is a very beautiful town. The people seem very friendly. I had dinner at Zaxby's. It is a fast food chicken place. They have a very tasty dipping sauce.

I checked into my hotel room at the Holiday Inn Valley View. It is about one mile from the airport. The airport is small and close by.

Here is a picture of the snow in Roanoke.

Flying to Roanoke!

I am finally in the air. The country looks beautiful from 22,000 feet.

According to the flight attendant, flight is 40 minutes. The temperature is 36° F. It is supposed to get down into the 20s. Snow is still in the forecast for tomorrow.

We should be touching down in about 20 minutes. With it being a short flight, no beverage service. I may go to the seafood restaurant tonight.

Snow!

I see a lot of snow on the ground. I attached a picture. I haven't seen snow like this.

On to Roanoke, VA

I just got on my flight to Roanoke, VA. The plane is a CRJ-200. It is one of those small regional jet planes. The overhead compartments are too small. If you happen to fly one of these give up all hope of a comfortable flight.

In most cases, I don't mind. But, when it is the last flight, it does bother me. Oh, well. It is a short flight and we should be leaving shortly.

Catching my Next Flight

I arrived at gate E9 for flight to Roanoke, VA. The equipment is a small regional jet. I don't think I will get a row to myself. Oh, well.

I attached a picture of my plane.

Almost to Charlotte, NC

My flight to Charlotte, NC was a little bumpy, but not bad. We are just passing through the clouds.

US Airways did serve a snack with the beverage service. If there is one thing I have learned, always carry a snack when flying.

According to the captain, the temperature is 40 degrees and the weather is partly cloudy. I was listening to people at ABIA. They said that flights are being canceled or delayed near D.C. I can't confirm that.

We should be touching down shortly. I got lucky on this flight. I had the row to myself. Not a bad way to fly.

Waiting at the Gate

Charlotte flight just arrived. My flight will be packed. Airlines are squeezing every dollar out of every seat and mile that they fly.

I downloaded my copy of USA Today to my Kindle. It certainly helps pass the time on a long flight.

7-Day Forecast for Atlanta, GA

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 33.76°N and Longitude 84.43°W

Wednesday looks great to flying out. I guess I have to deal with the bad weather only on Tuesday and Wednesday morning driving to the airport. It looks like I will probably get stuck somewhere.

7-Day Forecast for Charlotte, NC

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 35.21°N and Longitude 80.84°W

It looks like I will fly on fairly good weather, but Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be the question. I guess I will need to take out the rental car insurance for the travel.

7-Day Forecast for Roanoke, VA

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 37.27°N and Longitude 79.95°W

80% chance of snow on the day I have to teach. This should be fun.

Receiving Weather Advisories for Roanoke, VA

US Airways has already started to send me alerts regarding flight delays to Charlotte, NC and Roanoke, VA. It looks like I will definitely need a parka and a dog team.

Traveling to Roanoke, VA to Deliver Training

I will be flying out to Roanoke, VA to deliver training to the client's sales force there. I have attached a map to show everyone where I will be be.


View YB Training - Roanoke, VA in a larger map

Heading to the Airport

I will be flying out this morning on Delta. Normally, I would have my boarding passes all printed and in my bag. Unfortunately, it didn't work today. So, I have to get to the ticket counter and talk with an agent.