Site visit update

Wow, what a month it's been.

I just got back from SF yesterday and should have updated everyone before this but here goes...

Two weeks before my expected awareness training, I get a call from the contact at the Marriott saying they'd prefer it to be only a site visit and have the training be done closer to the conference itself, perhaps June. Great. I already had plane tickets and couldn't really change them. This also meant that Marriott shouldn't be covering my expenses, that RID should be. Marriott will cover everything for the training but the site visit is RID's responsibility. Makes sense, but where the fuck will the money come from? Interpreters don't rake in the bucks, folks. Chris at the Marriott was really sweet and said that he could comp my room for the 2 nights needed. He probably would have comped the week, but I have friends out there that have been bugging me to visit and this was the perfect opportunity.

Now the other wrench: I had already talked with the executive director of RID, expecting this trip to be completely covered and he removed my expenses from their budget. He was going to comp my conference registration if I got Marriott to pay for this trip. Now I don't feel right about getting a free registration but also, who the fuck will be paying for this trip?! After some discussion, RID agreed to pay me $200 now and potentially up to $350, depending on how much revenue came in from the conference. Great, I may not get everything back, but at least it's not a total loss. Oh, and the comped registration was already in process so I couldn't stop that.

So I get out there, airport adventures included, more about that later, and arrive at the hotel around 2am. I was in bed and comatose by 2:30 then up around 7am so I could check out the city and take some time before my 1pm meeting with the second conference hotel. Meeting was fine but there was one minor glitch...there's NO flashing fire alarms in ANY public space or room, unless that room is designated as accessible. So what's the message, that Deaf people should burn? Good luck following the crowd and run like hell. There's supposedly a major renovation in the fall - true biz or placating me don't know - but that doesn't help us at all for August. Assholes.

The primary hotel is great, no real problems there, just some minor annoyances.

Now for the airport fun. Debbie insisted that I arrive at least 2 hours early. I know from experience that while everyone says to do that, when you're a crip, you usually get to the front of the line and you end up hanging around forever. Not worth the argument so I leave early. I get to LGA, not my preference of airport but it had the cheaper flight, and there's 2 massively armed military personnel standing in the hallway. I usually fly out of smaller airports and this is my first experience with seeing this. Yippee. Not feeling any safer, thank you very much.

At the gate, there's 4 guys from LGA expecting to help me onto the plane. Thanks, but I don't need it. I only need assistance with my bag and I crutch onto the plane, no aisle chair needed.

It gets better.

I'm seated in the first row and despite the fact that they like to have us crips board first, I don't plan to go in and wait and watch while everyone else boards, getting knocked in the arm and head by bags and having to stand up 2 more times when my neighbors get on. When I say I want to get on last or towards the end, 3 of the 4 guys get pissy, with one guy storming off in a huff. Excuse me? I'm supposed to kiss your ass because it's convenient for you to have me board now? Fuck you. It's not convenient for me. I read them the riot act as diplomatically as possible, saying I was sorry if it was inconvenient for them, but it's better for me if I board last. And no, I don't need you. You whiny overworked, underpaid brats can leave. They checked with me again, just covering their asses, and then they left, still pissy but I didn't care.

Once on the plane, it doesn't take more than 30 seconds to realize that I'm between 2 other military people on leave, one soon to be on his 4th tour in the Marines in Iraq, the other a medic. Great. Two thoughts crossed my mind: 1) if someone tries to jump the plane, we're safe. 2) This is a 5 hour flight, shoot me now. I watched TV and ignored 99% of the conversation, hoping to not speak my mind this once.

First layover in Denver proved how pathetic and expensive we are here. I bought a meal at McD's and it was CHEAPER than buying one here. Since when is airport food cheaper than home? This is scary.

The layover was over an hour longer than planned but at least we weren't stuck overnight. Marriott had sent a town car to pick me up. Not necessary but certainly appreciated. The driver was cool and we commiserated about hating Starbucks. The rest of the week will be in another post.