My time in San Antonio is at an end, but I did get to stay on more night at an airport motel. ASMS was tiring as usual. I learned a bit, drank too much, stayed out too late, and got a chance to talk with some prospective post-doc advisors (more on that later). Had a wonderful time, but I am really tired. As is usual for me, not really a vacation. I can say that I am tired of airplanes, lines, and Muzak, but people are still an endless source of amusement. Took some pictures, not nearly the shutter-bug that I was in Montreal though.
San Antonio is a wonderful place for a conference. Actually had a chance to see the city this year and not be trapped in a Biosphere like last year. Friendly locals, the River Walk, river tour, Alamo, and the Market Square are highlights. Might of it is anywhere USA, but with everything being homogenized over the last 60 years you really can’t expect much else. Good Mexican and BBQ, shitty Chinese. If you’re looking for a drink I can recommend Mad Dogs, Poly Esters, and Coyote Ugly. Never knew women dancing on a bar could be so enjoyable, they have a good formula going. You are also in danger if you have a former student who works for Novartis and likes to go out. That boy can drink much more than I can. Thanks for the good time Nick. That was the fun part, then things went downhill.
I went to the airport in the afternoon, no problems, sitting at the gate and I get the feeling that things are delayed. They come over the loud speaker and say that there is a mechanical problem and that it is being looked into. Another announcement, no update. Then something strange happens. The captain comes out and gives some full details. I’ve been on flights delayed due to equipment problems, and they never tell you what is heppening.
The captain was doing the standard and required preflight equipment check with the ground crew and they found hydraulic fluid dripping out of the plane, opened things up and found a hairline fracture in one of the fluid lines. Another plane was not available and they did not have the part, so they were trying to get permission from the FAA to use a temporary line. Ended up that had to buy a part from another airline, fly it in from Dallas and try to fix it at the gate. Their best guess for a departure time was 5:30 (about 3 hours after the original time).
Since I was going to miss my connecting flight and it was stated that most of the other flights out that day were booked (big conference and the NBA finals game). I walked out of the terminal. Seeing the very long line at security (probably about 300 people) I was actually hoping that I’d fly out in the morning. Delta does not have as many ticket agents as they once did. I had to wait about 30 minutes to use one of 6 phones and talk to some operator (who knows where they actually are) instead of somebody local. The woman I spoke with was nice and I stated upfront that I was willing to depart the next day if they would foot the room. She checks and it ends up that they will only put people up for the night if there is an equipment failure on the flight. If weather is the cause for delay or cancelation they you are on your own.
So I get my ass out of bed at 4:45 this morning to make my 6:38 flight. Also get to stand in line at Starbucks for my breakfast (using my meal voucher of course). At the least the middle-aged woman in line ahead of me was rocking out the the Tina Tuner sound that was coming over the radio, quite amusing.
