18:15 A sign next to the runway says ``Fly quietly''. Funny. Not
funny: the captain says something about heavy air traffic in Los Angeles, and
thus, our takeoff will be delayed until 18:35.| [<- Las Vegas] | [Main Page] | [Santa Barbara ->] |
Leaving the PDPTA 2000 conference at Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon, I headed west to Santa Barbara, where the SAS 2000 conference had already started.
16:35 The bus driver knows the airport very well and drops me off just a few yards (or some even fewer meters) away from American Airlines check in.
16:38 Check in went fast and smoothly, and I am told that I don't have to care about my luggage when changing planes in Los Angeles. Do I believe that?
16:55 I arrive at Gate 10. The last chance to make use of the gambling opportunities in Nevada. I find 10 cents on the ground, and I resist putting it into one of the slot machines.
18:15 A sign next to the runway says ``Fly quietly''. Funny. Not
funny: the captain says something about heavy air traffic in Los Angeles, and
thus, our takeoff will be delayed until 18:35.
18:41 Takeoff flight AA 2719 to Los Angeles International.
Security man: ``Get out and stay out. Las Vegas don't care for out-of-towners. Take your money and go someplace else.''19:23 Touchdown at Los Angeles International, 15 Minutes too late. It will be very difficult to catch the connecting American Eagle flight to Santa Barbara.
The Simpsons Episode AABF06 ``Viva Ned Flanders''
19:45 I run to Gate 44I, but no one is there, and I just see the sign ``last boarding'' disappear. About three minutes too late, I guess. The first flight I missed in my life. I have already been booked on flight AA 3071, leaving at 21:30. Pretty damn late.
20:00 At least there are power outlets for my laptop and a TV here showing ``Friends''. But the planes outside make too much noise. Maybe I should see the movie ``Chicken Run'', which is advertised now and seems to be the latest production of Aardman Animations, known for such great works as the Wallace & Gromit movies ``A Grand Day Out'', ``The Wrong Trousers'', ``A Close Shave'', and the short movie collection ``Heat Electric''.
20:30 ``3rd Rock From the Sun''.
21:20 Boarding time.
21:42 Takeoff flight AA 3071 to Santa Barbara Municipal. There are only a few clouds, which results in a nice view over the city lights.
21:58 Some oil drilling platforms below.
22:05 Touchdown at Santa Barbara Municipal. A very, very small and beautiful airport. I fetch $200 from an ATM machine (first time I use the PIN code of my VISA card), take a taxi to the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where I get room number 2266 at the ``Santa Rosa Residence Hall''.
22:40 I'm in my room. Somewhat different from the Monte Carlo Resort, but okay. I walk around a bit, watch some music videos, write this report, and go to bed.
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