Taxiing commenced, stopped and waited, no doubt traffic landing. Wrong. Message form the coughpit, too much traffic at Dallas, controllers there have told us to hold for 25 minutes.
25 minutes, can live with that. I was in a middle seat, bit of concern form lady by the window - tight connection to Spokane; bi of concern from the fella in the aisle, tight connection to Portland.
4.25, message from the coughpit - more bad news form Dallas, storms have come in, no one's leaving, no ones landing, told us to wait for another 45 minutes.
Window seat will miss her flight; aisle seat making it tighter; me, not ideal, but if no ones moving my flight wont take off either so surely everything gets pushed back.
5.10 - from the coughpit, have been told to wait fro another 25 minutes. If not given the go ahead to leave then, will head back to the terminal and everyone will get off. Window seat in complete panic, ringing to organise a hotel in Dallas; aisle just resigned to being pissed off; me, getting a little concerned now. Also from the coughpit, drink and snacks will be served.
Water and pretzels for me.
5.30, message from the coughpit, crew prepare for take off, pilot says were going, and within minutes we were in the air.
About an hour and 15 minutes before my flight was due to take off, made it over to the terminal and the gate. No a lot of bodies around, looking good to have a spare seat nest to me for the flight.
Around 7.45, message comes from the gate, boarding wont start until 8.45, quick flight time, can't land early due to Sydney curfew, so will take off late.
Light load. I'm thinking, chances of a spare seat looking better by the minute.
Boarding, I'm in one of the last groups called and very few people left. Make it to me aisle seat, no on in the middle or the window. Start to get a little excited, might have the whole row.
What followed was about 30 minutes of tension as I looked for signs of activity of passengers moving down the aisle towards my seat. Optimistically moved my glasses case into the middle seat, pulled my bag from above, under the middle seat. Hopes raised higher as the cabin crew moved along closing the overhead bins.
Then, big fella walking with intent towards my location. Good size for a Centre Half Back, thinking 'bugger'. Then, over the back of his axe handle width shoulders, mum and wife, no way they're next to me. All three breezed past me and I was able to breath again
From the coughpit, the magic words - 'doors closed in preparation for take-off. Hit the jackpot, 3 seats Dallas - Sydney, bliss being able to be horizontal for the journey.
Had pre-booked the chicken again, hostess tried to give me a vegetarian option, gave that short shrift. Very nice tiramisu dessert.
Time spent between reading Sam Mitchell's autobiography and intermittent napping. There was something hot served somewhere along the line, water runs every so often.
Breakfast was especially poor. Cereal only with yoghurt and a muesli bar. Didn't fell so bad about swiping half a dozen kit kats from the back of the plane .
Immigration was painless, my bags however were about the last on the carousel, so a bit of a rush to get to the domestic transfer. Bit of a shambles that, having to get to the far end of the terminal.
All worked out though, coffee at the domestic, landed on time in Perth, Uber home, then a drive to pick up the hound. About a week before back in the normal sleep cycle.
To the present - Arkansas State after having a 3 - 1 out of conference record lost their 1st 2 conference games, coincidentally I hope the games played following my visit. They recovered to 5 - 3 Conference record, 8 - 4 overall, unfortunately missed out on a Conference Championship Game, but have qualified for the Arizona Bowl, to be played in Tuscon on the 29th December. Bitter sweet for the young fella, loves the opportunity to play a Bowl game, late date however means he wont get home for a visit.
On the young fella, missed out on the final for the Ray Guy award, many thanks to those that voted for him. His number for the season are outstanding once again - averaging 4.89secs hang time for his kicks (NFL average is 4.44); and after having the second best punt return defensive statistics last season, is the number 1 in the nation this season - 8 returns for a total yard gain of -15 yards.
My musings - Air BNB - 2 good experiences, 1 terrible. Have decided I'm a hotel man, I need to have certainty.
The food - Probably only ate once a day due to the heaviness of everything, but would go back in a heart beat for Gus's Fried Chicken, Fried Ocra, Mary Bobo's green bean casserole.
People are extremely friendly, praying, bible references, chewing tobacco turn me off a bit.
Am planning to return same time next year, however this time I'll wait to book flights until the Young Fella's schedule is confirmed. I committed too early to returning to Memphis and got caught out when the schedule was changed. Out of necessity couldn't travel too far, and I think I made the best of my situation. There's not a lot within comfortable driving distance of Jonesboro Arkansas.
As for the dog, she had a great time at her friends house. Walks on the beach, playing all day, don't think she wanted to come home with me.
Reciprocated and looked after friend's dog a few weeks later
Even got another friend over and made a party out of it
