Minute by minute break down of the 8:00 am hour.

8:05 discover USCIS has passport.
8:10 speak with SEA USCIS, get them to hold the passport.
8:15 Log on to CO.com search SEA-FRA reward tickets
8:17 Purchase SEA-IAH-FRA-IAH-SEA on CO metal, flight leaves at 11:45am
8:17 start packing
8:18 finish packing Aint it amazing what you can get done in 3 minutes. 330 days, meh try 330 seconds.
8:20 bribe roommate to drive to the SEA airport.
8:35 arrive SEA airport.

For the record the walk-price for the same literary is $2,326 + tax.

I move up to one of the CO ticketing counters. In Seattle there is kind of a mixed bunch, some contract staff and some CO staff was behind the counter. I proceed to one of the CO kiosks and try to check in. I get to the point where it says I have to enter passport information, and that is when I called an agent. I explained to her the situation regarding the lost passport and how it is not in my possession. I hand her my ID and Gold card, and I ask her for a gate pass so I can retrieve my passport and I would complete check in at the PC. She asks to speak with her supervisor.

She comes back out a few seconds later and starts typing on her computer. She then furrows her face and says there is a problem.

Longest two seconds of my life right there. I thought I was about to lose it. I think she saw my face move into abject terror and said "just kidding." and the BP printer spits out a gate pass. After thinking where is the nearest AED, I begin to laugh as my heart restarts. At this point I started smiling and for the record I didn't stop until I got home yesterday.

I make it through security, good thing too, at this point I have no idea what is in my bag. I know I packed clothes, I am just not sure of what type they are. I take the tram to S concourse. Now in SEA people clear customs and they have a choice, go through TSA in S concourse and re-enter airside there or proceed to a secure shuttle that will deposit them landside. I spoke with one of the TSA people, and asked to speak with the customs supervisor on duty. She walked me through the land side portion of S concourse and walked me up to the Customs desk.

Customs handed over my passport with in seconds of my arrival. I have been screwed by US customs more time I care to discuss here. In fact I will not go through USCIS in Canada anymore because of it. That being said the SEA guys are good people.

It was going to be a good day.

The TSA supervisor walked me back to the airside of the terminal without re-screening. I took the tram to the B gates and I walked in to the PC to get the business done.

I was buzzed into the PC and I presented my passport and gold card...(For the record I am normally above the pulling of the status card to try and get better service. But I probably would have pulled out cash and tried to bribe the CO SEA agents to get service that day.) I asked to be checked in for my flights, seats assigned, and to be admitted to the PC. The first two went without a hitch. Getting into the PC proper was a bit more of a challenge. I had to explain the star rules to them. Eventually it got sorted out, I kept the trump card of switching to the bmi card in my back pocket hidden.

I start drinking. I start having fun with the agents. I am the only one in the club so we talk about the change over to star and such. After two drinks the barkeep asks me if I am over 21. I am 27 for the record, though my ex girlfriend calls me a child. I say it is a bit late to be asking and confess my true age. The SEA club has some nice CO models including the CO 747. I wish to pilfer them, but as the were clearly high end models pricing out at over 300 US each (they were on display, not for sale) I decided against it.

I continue to drink, finally I set up my computer and get updates out to FT and the StarDO crew that I am coming. I spoke with Tommy and he said that he had not gotten around to canceling my seat on the charter, so I should be good to go in FRA. He also told me that he had posted my withdrawal on the DO thread that I couldn't make it and that people were upset over it.

My flight is called and for the first time I feel the compulsion to kiss the ground and the carpet of the airplane on my in. I am so distracted by all that has gone on, I sit in the wrong seat. I eventually sit in the correct seat, next to an older woman and her mother on their way to MFE. I am sitting in the window which is not my preferred seat. Though lets be honest here, I would have shipped myself as luggage if that was possible. My seatmates did tell me I could go "tinky winky" anytime I wanted to though. I noticed as the flight was leaving, there was a CO 772 parked at the south concourse. The woman also bought me a drink and her mother gave me her lunch. For lunch there was the paper salad, a turkey BBQ roll, and a mini-twix bar. There was supposed to be LiveTV on the flight, but it was broken. Maybe I can get my miles back for this segment.

Lunch tasted like victory.

I arrived in IAH at North C and my flight to FRA was departing from E6. I booked it over there. I had just enough time to scarf some pasta salad and buy a liter of water for the flight before boarding started. I got my docs checked. (YAY having a passport.) I then proceeded to board my first CO wide body flight (764) since 1993. The seat was fine, and by fine I mean up to CO's normal Y standards.

While boarding I am fielding calls from Renard and MNmag seeing if I am actually on the plane. Eventually the door closes. Across the aisle from me is the cutest little 4year girl and her mom. They were traveling to FRA to visit some relatives. Now I dote on little kids, having worked with abused and neglected kids for awhile back in Atlanta, I have a soft spot for them. She told me she was from Alabama. I asked where in Alabama, I though I miss heard her so I asked again. Nope, heard it right the first time she said "Roll Tide."

Man they get started young. The rest of the family started laughing and the girl explained to me, that Auburn is a dirty word. She wanted to hold hands with me for take off. Seriously, she was very sweet.

The rest of the flight went smoothly. I had the Indian Veg option, which was very good and the paper salad. CO WHEN WILL YOU IMPROVE THE SALADS ON YOUR FLIGHTS??? There was a chocolate square. I bought red wine to go with dinner. I started to watch the non-avod IFE, but I guess to the stress of the day bleeding off I fell asleep before the first movie ended. I woke up about 15 minutes off of the Irish Coast. 6hrs of sleep, I would need it. CO Y breakfast was pathetic. There was a croissant and 4 grape sized pieces of fruit. I ate it all.

Landing was about 20 minutes early. We got a gate in the A finger of Terminal 1. And my time in FRA was about to begin.