The earth is rounded 2

Near the place I stayed...



A smart way to park smart.


Anyway, the next day I woke up at 5:30, I headed to the Airport. Very convenient to go to the station which was just one minute walk from the accommodation.

Frankfurt (Main) International Airport. Of course, it is 10 million times bigger than Frankfurt Hahn.

I arrived there early. Had some chat with friend who works at the airport, then went to the gate.

Despite smoker-unfriendly-Europe, this airport is the exception. There are smoking area everywhere. You don't have to smoke in the cage-like smoking room like Narita or Helsinki airport, here you just stand in front of smoke eater (machine). It is easy to observe what is happening at the departure gate when you are smoking.

Today, the gate area where most westbound flights leave, was crowded. Me as stand-by passenger, have to wait until every passenger get on board. Yes, people who are still hanging around the gate are quite likely the airline employees travelling on stand-by.

The one I take today is United Airlines (guess what, it is the airline where I used to work until recently) UA945. Gate agents are Lufthansa(Star Alliance Group) handling agents.

Around the time when I thought I will be called momentarily, a lufthansa femail agent shouted,

"Mr. Hidekis?"

That's my name. Finally!

But strange. Instead of giving me a boarding pass, she passed me an emergency mobile phone that usually used by airport staff. What a.....

"Hullooo..?"

I answered powerlessly as I was so hoping to get on board, sit back and relax as soon as possible.

"Ah, Hidekis? Long time. It's Maria(fictional)"

Ohm? After flashing quick thought, I now remember an ex-colleague who were transfered to London.

"Oh hey, long time. Aren't you supposed to be in London?"

She explain that she was transfered once again as she speaks German well.

"By the way, the flight you are taking is very full. All passenger has boarded and there is only 1 seat left that is Business class. I hope it will be yours."

Oh. I thought it won't be busy flight as midweek.... Who has priority for employee stand-by traveling? It's Seniority. There are a few people hanging around the gate. Knowing there's only one seat left, I was watching those people in an agressive way..

"Mr, Uh.... Hidekis?"

Not too confident how to pronounce my name, but Yes, that's my name. I jumped and showed my happiness.

I threw myself into a nice, confortable Business class seat, and of course, asked for Champagne.



New livery United Airlines Boeing777 pushed back on time...