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Just Kidding, Ben Affleck is my Convention Hero at the DNC. He hosted a private poker party at Coors Field last night that raised money for the Paralyzed Veterans of America... And we were there to take it all in! (And you can thank my GENIUS editors Kristi and Chrissy for putting this together!)
That's just NOT what I like to see at 0745a while checking into my 0930 flight...
Its official: I'm on the Campaign Convention Trail... or rather, I should say that I am desperately ATTEMPTING to do so but United Airlines is making it incredibly difficult to get out of the gate.
You really aren't supposed to name companies directly, but in this case, I am making an "observation" -- and that observation is that on THIS morning at Dulles Airport, United Airlines is doing everything in their power to ensure that every passenger on Flt 335 to Denver... Chooses another airline next time they have to fly!
Let me give you an example: after attempting to fly stand-by on an earlier flight which was denied, I walked and found the Customer Service desk. Standing in line with several other justifiably angry passengers, a supervisor named "Mike" was seeking people out and trying to talk them OUT of standing in the line because "the customer representatives are very busy." He let me know that was already of my "Denver" situation... And that I should basically just go away!
Adding insult to injury, I am told that there is NO other flight on any other airline between both airports in DC between now and noon!
So whats the point of this posting (other than venting on my black berry)?
It's official: AIRLINES SIMPLY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU, THE PASSENGERS.
To be fair, its not just United. It's ALL of them.
When I first heard Congress was considering a "passenger bill of rights," I thought it was a ridiculous idea -- and one that would simply compound the already existing mess.
But I'm warming up to the idea. I understand business, I understand delays happen. But it's getting out of control and the airlines need to step up and start caring about their customers again.
Speaking of customers: a few fellow passengers who are also feeling the sting of deadlines surely to be missed today are CBS' Bob Schieffer (who seems to be pretty mellow about the whole thing) and Politico's Chief Correspondent (and one of the most respected political reporters in Washington) Mike Allen - who has set up a command post near Gate 11C with his laptop humming and hos cell phone buzzing!
See ya from the Trail...
(If we ever get there!!)
I am really REALLY going to miss the Olympics -- and wearing a Speedo in Times Square!
If you missed any of my updates and want to catch the madness, go to http://www.foxnews.com/ and under the "Video" section: search Griffs Games. There are eight in all, Griffs Games I-VIII.
Hope you enjoyed them - and I leave with the most BIZARRE of them all... Naked Cowgirl!
Now I'm off to the Conventions... See you in the mile high city!
We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.
The Phelps Phenomenon... we will we ever know WHY he's so darn fast?!
Quite Entertaining... and impressive that someone has not only the imagination - but also the freetime that it took to put this gem together!
Rickrolling is more or less an internet phenomenon that forces someone from whatever they were looking for on the web to ultimately end up watching a video of 80's heart-throb Rick Astley singing his biggest hit: Never Gonna Give You Up!
This "odd" thing has found its way into everything from Scientology protests to Mets games!
Now... even Obama is rickrolling us!
From Russia with Love, Thanks Stu for a great website!
Also - enjoy the new trailer for the upcoming Quantum of Solace.
1800 HRS (at the time of this writing.)
LOCATION: The Tarmac at NY's LAGUARDIA Airport.
I'm aboard an airplane whose company shall remain nameless (hint: might be found in a fraternity or sorrority name) that was supposed to take off at 1630 EST.
The bouyant sounding Captain just announced: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are finally in line for takeoff... However, we are number 27."
Groans, sighs and faint utterings of profanity flew throughout the cabin. (Yours truly in full participation!)
In the hour and a half that we have been delayed thus far, we have been told:
A. THAT There was an issue with another airlines' plane on the runway which had to be cleared.
B. THAT There were some unexplained delays coming from the air traffic control tower. And while that might seem frustrating to some passengers, we should take some sort of bizarre comfort in knowing that its just as frustrating for "those of us up here in the cockpit." (I've never understood this logic because I'm not getting paid to sit on this bus with wings. What the heck does the pilot really care how long it takes to get from point A to point B - this is his JOB.)
C. THAT We were able to use the bathroom because there was a problem with the water pressure on the plane.
D. THAT We had to return to the gate to have to water pressure situation examined. (Upon examination: we learned that someone "simply forgot to flip a switch" on the outside.
And for all of these headaches, of course, Captain Cheerful was VERY SORRY for these inconveniences.
Now normally, I should be really ticked off. But I'm not - its really funny in a demented way!
And I gave a very nice woman who watches FOX my copy of the brand new People Magazine with Brangelina's baby pictures.
She's happy now. I'm happy to have made her happy! And I am confident sometime this week, Captain Cheerful might actually get us to Washington.
If you have travel nightmares - send them my way so I can post them: griffsnotes@foxnews.com
From Wires:
1. Do not sleep outdoors to save money at the Olympics. It is
banned to "maintain public hygiene and the cultured image of
cities."
2. Do not let the stifling summer heat tempt you into
streaking, do not get drunk nor set off fireworks nor wave "insulting
banners."
3. Anyone with mental illnesses or sexually transmitted
diseases is banned. Smoking is not allowed at Olympic venues.
4. Foreigners "must respect Chinese laws while in China and must not harm China's national security or damage social order."
