Ignore for a moment the fact that United has a direct flight from DEN to Toronto. Just don't ask... taking that flight would have been $400 more and when the airfare is charged to the client, the powers that be decided we should take the less expensive option when possible.

So, at 0630, I arrived at Denver to check in for my 0830 flight. To Houston. Where I'd connect to O'Hare. Then to Toronto.

I know some folks don't care for it, but Denver Int'l is actually an easy airport to get in/out. Check in was a 10 minute procedure, and security took about the same.

But it all went to shit after that. My flight to Houston was bumpy as hell, which meant no beverage service. Me, sans coffee, is not a pleasant sight.

Then I changed to the plane to O'Hare. Which promptly got held on the tarmac at IAH for 40 minutes, because apparently it was too busy in Chicago airspace for one more plane. So we sat. Finally, we flew and landed, 1 hour past our planned arrival.

Which, of course, meant that I missed my flight to Toronto.

And, as I've opined before, there are no decent places in O'Hare to eat or get a decent beer. Nor do they have free Wi-Fi, and I wasn't paying $8 for two hours of web time. So I chocked down two beers from Berghoff, read my book, and waited.

Finally, I got to Toronto. Then the joy of clearing customs. I had to provide proof that I wasn't there to sell anything (copy of the contract with the client) and proof that I had a flight OUT of Canada (flight itinerary) and that I didn't have any drugs, etc.

Stamps on the passport, and off I go to collect my bag.

Which, of course, never made it, and is still in Chicago. File a Missing Bag report. The lady claims it will be on the last flight of the night from ORD to YYZ.

Finally, made it to the hotel after waiting 45 minutes for the shuttle bus... apparently they don't send the bus until you call them first.

This morning, I had to make a fast run to Wal-Mart (I know, DMT, I know... but at 0630, I had no choice) to buy clothing that was presentable enough to wear to the client. Pants, shirt, boxers, socks, and an undershirt. The tag on the boxers said "Medium" and the t-shirt was "XL." Bought, paid, dashed back to the hotel to shower.

Getting dressed, I find that it was the OUTER sticker/price tag that read "medium," but the boxers themselves were 2XL. And that "XL" t-shirt? Yeah, no... small. And no dress shoes in my size.

So there I sat today, in the office of a new client who just dropped a big hunk of change on our software, wearing boxers three sizes too big, a t-shirt too small, and my La Sportiva Exum Ridge trail runners.

Now, I'm back in the hotel, and my bag is still in Chicago. I spent 20 minutes on the phone, restraining my temper because if I tear into the minimum wage schmuck on the phone, she'll never put my bags on the plane. Tonight, she says. Yeah, sure.

I need a drink. And my toothbrush.

reno, reno, reno, oh dear, always check your labels when you purchase clothing, and always travel with spare underwear and a clean shirt in your carry on.

have a canuck beer and relax.....it can't get any worse

reno, reno, reno, oh dear, always check your labels when you purchase clothing, and always travel with spare underwear and a clean shirt in your carry on.

have a canuck beer and relax.....it can't get any worse

Oh, and don't mind me chuckling at your misfortune.

I think maybe if you are going to be traveling like this you may want to heed some of the advice and be more prepared for lost bagage etc.

Not directed at you, Charley, but that argument is bullshit.

If you paid $700 to have two items shipped from Denver to Toronto, and only ONE of those items showed up, would you think you got your money's worth? I'd ask for a refund... I entered an agreement, paid the money for services promised, and those services were not delivered.

Fuck the airlines. Fuck. Them.

If they hadn't been given multiple handouts by the gubbermint, they wouldn't have lasted this long. But thanks to OUR money, taken from us by the gubbermint, they're still in business and can fuck the consumer at every chance.

Fuck. That.

Fuck 'em. Seriously.

You're in Cananananananananada now, your opinion doesn't matter.

But, I gotta ask: $12.50 for a six-pack? Even doing the conversion, I feel like I've been rectally violated by some green alien men from Xenu (or a doctor with bad calluses on his hands and a case of palsy, doing a prostate exam.)

$12.50 for a SIX-pack? Are you KIDDING?

Yes, Mom.


Au contraire, Ma Cherry. With me, it can ALWAYS get worse.

But I *am* on my fourth Alexander Keith's IPA. Decent, for Cannuk brew.

But, I gotta ask: $12.50 for a six-pack? Even doing the conversion, I feel like I've been rectally violated by some green alien men from Xenu (or a doctor with bad calluses on his hands and a case of palsy, doing a prostate exam.)

$12.50 for a SIX-pack? Are you KIDDING?

It was already said, travel in the suit.

Bring an adequate roller and pack smartly. I can do a fly-away for two weeks with just a roller. If I really want to have fun, I'll pack a suitcase.

i said bring another shirt in carry on........that's different

Oh, and don't mind me chuckling at your misfortune.

beeri is overtaxed in canuckville.........but i do get universal healthcare. thanks for supporting me!!!

keith's is okay for an east coast beer

The main takeaway is that your company should charge for travel time.

Dude, you are getting screwed. Your company should pay the difference on the airfare if the customer balks.

why in the world would you pick alexander keiths? either you're an IPA fan, in which case, you wouldn't be buying Keith's, or you asked somebody "hey, what's good here?" and they got scared and said "Keith's!!"

i suggest doing some homework and finding a really good Ontario micro brew to enjoy before you have to come back to the U.S. of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

oh, and always travel in the suit. dress shoes in your carry on.

Did you know that they're actually owned by Sleeman's? Which (as I'm being told by Wikipedia) is owned by Sapporo.