I'm back, I'm back. Before I get out of Bitching and Moaning mode, what is it with all these caste systems about who boards the plane in what order? I understand letting on the elderly, infirm or even families with small children before anyone else. I even understand letting on the First Class people, though I always thought that since they sit in the front, it would be more comfy for them to get on last. But last night at Alaska Airlines, it was like, "We now invite all passengers with elite gold level in our Mileage Plan to board," followed by "We now invite all silver card holders in our mileage partners plan to board" and then "We now invite all Alaska Air Super Saver Partnership cardholders with platinum star points to board" and so on. I don't remember the specific tiers but it seemed like those of us who'd just bought tickets (i.e., 98% of us) were in the nineteenth group allowed to go down the jetway. The whole idea seemed to be to get me on last. I kept waiting for them to say, "We now invite everyone who's never written Groo the Wanderer to get on the plane."
And here's something that's long puzzled me. Why is it that at some airports, when I pick up my suitcase at the Baggage Claim, someone examines my little claim check stub to make sure I'm taking only my own luggage out of there…but in some, nobody checks? If that's a good idea sometimes, why isn't it a good idea always? Are there times when suitcase theft is more likely to occur? Or is the checking, when they do it, in the same category in which I place most of the screening they do when you board the plane and they make you throw away lighters and take off your shoes? (That category is "Useless inconveniences they put you through to make you think they're protecting you when they really aren't.")
Okay, change of mode. Let me underscore the very good time I had at the Wondercon, doing my panels and seeing friends and just talking with people. If I'd been in more of a shopping frame of mind, I could have had a very good time purchasing goodies. The place was loaded with treasures. I've been to good conventions and bad. Wondercon is one of the best.
For those of you who are interested in such silliness, here's a report on a panel I did with Sergio on Friday.
I have a ton of work to do, as well as an awful lot of unread e-mail. So posting on this site may not be up to speed for a day or three. Or four or ten.