I went to work yesterday to have a meeting with my new boss. I was pretty short with him, in that I’ve been mismanaged for most of the time I’ve been with them. I told him of my strong desire to stay near London, for medical and social reasons. He said “Have you read your contract? What would you do if we sent you to Leeds?” I replied, “I have, and I’d quit.” When I get back he has some material for me to look at and critique, and we will see how that goes. He doesn’t seem to be unreasonable, but sometimes forthrightness on my part will go a long way.
I rushed home after the meeting, changed and gathered my things, and headed for the airport. I wasn’t aware that the Heathrow Express no longer calls at Terminal 4! You have to get off at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and wait for a Heathrow Connect (the slow local service) to go to Terminal 4. I’m glad I wasn’t pressed for time, or else I’d have been eating my fingernails down to the bone.
Got to Terminal 4 finally, and tried to check in at the kiosk. No luck. An assistant helped for a bit, then referred me to the desk, where after a while I got checked in. She got me an aisle seat, and I thanked her and said “It’ll be a blessing, as it’s not a joyful trip, as I’m going to a family funeral.” She wished me condolences, and sent me on my way. Security was (oddly enough for a Friday evening in July) a breeze, relatively speaking, and I emerged into the waiting area, where I shopped, had a coffee, and got ready for the flight.
When it was time to board, I figured it would be simple. I gave them my boarding pass, and when they scanned it it went “Thunk” instead of “Beep”. They puzzled over it for a minute, and finally printed out another pass. With a smile, the attendant said, “Oh, I see now. You’ve been upgraded!” And so I had, to premium economy, with more room to stretch and a better seat. The food was the same, however. I will have to write to BA expressing my gratitude for the arrangements–I had been meaning to write compaining that I couldn’t check in online, but I’ll leave that aside. It’s nice to have help like that when travelling for such a somber reason.
The flight was pretty smooth: the seat-belt sign didn’t go on once. Disembarking in Boston was also interesting as for the first time I could see the privileged First-Class passengers leaving first. No hitches, and I got here in good time. It was interesting flying over Boston and seeing the fireworks from above! They were quite spectacular, and we saw several displays from various places on the way in.
Didn’t sleep much, and had a dream in which my other foot got infected. Ugh! Now dogsitting while my brother goes to a fireman’s muster in Maine (I was looking forward to going, but dogsitting is more important!). Collecting my thoughts for the eulogy I’ll be writing tomorrow.
My condolenes. I am glad that at least someone made te trip a little easier for you.
Thanks. I’m always grateful for the little kindnesses.
:: waving from RI ::
Welcome back, even though its not for the happiest of circumstances.
Our condolences, sweetie. As Vern said, at least someone was listening and attempting to make a trying trip a little less trying. {{{Hugs}}}
I wasn’t aware that the Heathrow Express no longer calls at Terminal 4!
I wish I’d been aware that you were unaware of this — I would have called it to your attention. It was a factor in our decision to disregard your recommendation and take the Tube.