I did indeed miss the incomparable "Arrivals by Rudi" service known to be present from time to time at select airports around the globe. The Air France lounge was comfortable enough but the reason for the cryptic "im back" is the European keyboard. Normally I can handle them but I found it very frustrating on top of which it would disconnect me every 2 minutes (the lounge must have to pay on line time by the minute).
Thanks all for the welcome back. No sooner did I get home but I was on the road again--Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal (where I am now in Xerox Business Centre in AC Maple Leaf Lounge since all computers in Toronto had new software installed overnight and could not connect to the net) and on to Quebec City this afternoon. Return to Calgary Sunday but not home as I immediately have to turn around and go to Ottawa for three more days of meetings. Then that's it -- home sweet home for Christmas! Super Elite surpassed sometime today and will be aiming at the next 10K barrier for new year upgrades etc.
Thanks Dorian for the SE upgrades. For the others, I promised Dorian that I would diligently used them to give them away to deserving people over my next few flights. The first was a great success.
Gave my first one to a 55 year old gentleman from Georgia. He was flying all the way back from Edmonton to Atlanta on AC. I though he could use the upgrade so I asked if he would be interested. I think he was a bit shocked but kindly agreed. The agent upgraded him all the way even though we were only travelling together to Toronto--gotta love those one way upgrades.
He is a farmer and a retired Agriculture Professor "Stan" from University of Georgia who has done work all over, including Africa so we had some great conversations about world problems, solutions, work ethic etc etc over the great AC midnight snack of marinated cold turkey breast and shrimp. Then after a glass of wine and a Drambuie had a couple of hours of solid sleep.
I have been travelling since Saturday morning with precious few hours in real beds along the way so the upgrades to Executive/Executive First have been most appreciated.
Stan and I parted ways after I showed him to the US Customs area (he also profited by being able to use the faster Executive Class Customs lines and access to Toronto's Maple Leaf lounge in the US departure area). Couldn't have found a more deserving individual, very community and people oriented.