Living In Airports: September 2008

Friday, September 26, 2008

YVR: Preventive Maintenance

Now, no longer exclusive to YYZ! (Can't anyone make reliable moving walkways anymore?)

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YVR: Special Announcement

"May I have your attention please! I love this man, and I don't care who knows about it!"

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

YVR: Vancouver Aquarium

Here's a baby beluga, a photo taken at the fantastic reception tonight (actually last night... I forgot to press send) at the Vancouver Aquarium.

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As I was getting out of the elevator this morning in the lobby of the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, the gentleman exiting in front of me was suddenly shoved back toward me and into the elevator. A little startling until I figured out it was a security guard doing the pushing, and he was one of many walking from one of the other elevators, escorting Prime Minister Harper from the hotel to (I think) the convention centre across the street, where he was/is making an election announcement/promise.

I suppose he's still here. The streets are filled with (a) police, and (b) protesters (as pictured, with his bilingual sign).

There's also a diamond show at the convention centre, which also requires a police presence, plus there are two cruise ships docked, all at Canada Place. It's a bit of a zoo today.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

YVR: the Harbour

I suppose I've stayed in hotels with worse views.

Canada Place, and the Pan Pacific in the foreground, North Van in the background.

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AC 1185

Somewhere over Manitoba, whilst watching Kung Fu Panda.

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YOW: MLL

I must say that in the darkness of early morning (and probably in the evening too), Ottawa's still-sorta new Maple Leaf Lounge looks cooler than it does in broad daylight.

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YOW: A Short Night

Last night I was the last person out of the office because I was trying to get things done before leaving for the rest of the week.

This morning, I was the first person into the office (briefly) as I picked up a few things before my 0625 boarding time.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

YOW-YHZ-YUL-YOW

A three-legged journey, during which I only used electronic boarding passes. No paper.

Interestingly (if you're me at least), even though Air Canada sends me a message with a 2D barcode for each flight, the barcodes were never scanned by any gate agents. Each of them entered my seat number manually (which then brings up my name on their screen, which they check against my ID).

Maybe barcode scanning is the next stage of development... Nevertheless, I saved a branch, if not a tree.

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YHZ: Mmmm... Lobster Dip

This is my 4th time in Halifax, and although I'll only have been here about 10 hours today, it's still only my second shortest stay in Halifax. A little over a year ago, I came out on Porter's inaugural Ottawa-Halifax flight, walked around the terminal for half an hour with Jerry, Eleanor and Mr. DeLuce, then went back home.

All that to say, I wish I was staying longer to finish the work that was started today. Most of our group are indeed staying until tomorrow, but alas, I need to be back in Ottawa bright and early tomorrow. That's OK though... Lots of travel coming up.

Have never had a bad experience in Halifax.
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