This is the 18 Nov 2004 edition of
this page dealing with my RETURN to Seattle.
++ CHAPTER 10.
SEATTLE and the BOEING Company.
++
16 August 1995 (Wednesday)
I didn't have a goodnight's sleep , here in VICTORIA, for my final night before my return
to the USA. There seemed an 'overweight' feeling in my stomach - with breathing and pulse
problems.
During the night, I took my tablets that I'd 'got behind on' (i.e Atenolol and aspirin). I'd been
awake most of the night - but NOT alarmingly so!
I'd got my case out by 7.35am (ready for the required time of 7.45am!) - but it was not
collected, even by 8.00am!! From my own balcony, I could see that Robyn had nearly
completed loaded. I put my TV on at 7.50am, automatically remembering that Channel32
was my preference there (It was TNN's Country Music, records, videos and adverts ALL
in the 'Country' format!).
However, on this occasion, a significant fraction was very POP oriented (especially with its
video excerpts!). The 'country' programe was called VIDEO MORNING. Top 'Country Stars'
were present in a 'celebrity softball challenge' (a sort of baseball). The adverts on TNN were for
COWBOY JEANS etc.
At 8.22am, I heard the case being collected from outside my door - and, at 8.40am, I went to
join the others who were waiting to 'leave'. Departure had been delayed whilst Carmen and Robyn
found the 'missing case' (it was hidden in the rear luggage compartment!) We motored to SWARTZ BAY
for the 10.00am ferry to TSAWWASSAN (through the Bay's Islands and the STRAIT OF GEORGIA).
It is scheduled for a trip duration of 1hr 35mins.
Carmen wanted us 'back on the coach' at 11.20hrs. At Tsawwassen, the landing stages were on a structured
PIER - with branches and all! From there, it was 30-40 minutes through Canada to the US border. Most were going
mad on the 'duty free shop'. I didn't, but just had the FREE coffee!
Later, in the 'rest-room', I stopped and chatted with a family that had already booked for the BOEING
visit. Back on the coach, Robyn told us a tale (a full story) in her 'native pigeon English' (she was a New
Guinea native!). I couldn't understand much - but her sense-of-humour still came across!!
The coach arrived in Seattle at about 15.45hrs, and I kissed all the woman in the party FAREWELL, -
before taking my hand-baggage to a room for the safe-custody purpose. I needed the COSMOS REP at 16.30hrs
to fix up:
(a) details of tomorrow's trip to BOEING and
(b) details of our return to the airport tomorrow.
At 16.45 hrs I heard that she is "running late". On a later occasion, the 'main desk' said that they'll
call me (in room 905 by phone) when the 'Cosmos lady' appears. That was the same lady that had
already cashed Canadian Dollars into US Dollars, for me, and told me about the Boeing Trip.
At 17.30hrs, the lady on the 'desk' (Stephanie) got a guy to book me on the Boeing trip. He had
just completed the form - only to, then, find out that it had been completely SOLD OUT. On pondering
what to do next, he recommended that I visit the GREY LINE OFFICE in the SHERATON Hotel's
foyer - to see how they can help.
Being so 'keen', I walked to the Sheraton and at the GreyLine desk, they cofirmed the 'sold out' status and
recommended that I turn up early (the earlier the better!) and buy a 'Stand-by' ticket. Tickets are the
same price, and mostly are effective, but fully refunded if not!
So I returned to the CAMLIN HOTEL to find guidance for checkout with these arrangements. Then I went
shopping and ate my own provisions. On TV tonight, the highlight for me was the MUSICAL celebration
of the anniversary of Oscar Hammerstein II's birth. It featured Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Stephen
Sondeheim (Oscar's stepson!) - and the programme (quite naturally) was called "Some Enchanted Evening".
At 8.40pm, Stephanie rang me, in my room, to inform me that we need to congregate tomorrow, at 2.15pm for 2.40pm,
for the departures to the airport. As it was TOO WET and RAINY to go out in the evening again, I remained
indoors and indulged in the "Rodgers & Hammerstein" evening. Putting it OFF at 9.00pm, I then went to bed.
17 August 1995 (Thursday)
For me it was "SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE" (as usual) from my CAMLIN Hotel - due to the proximity
of "INTERSTATE 90" outside my window. I'm a bit higher and further away than I was BEFORE my
Canadian trip (then I was in room 605 but now in 905!)
Due to very little sleep, I reinstated my "1000mph train project" idea. This time as a complete project
including the finance and time-scale - just like with my 1000mph car!! (2 years ago!)
I was up at 6.30am to dress, eat and prepare for the 'stand-by' status for the BOEING visit and tour
(hopefully!). It was still 'pissing with rain' and cars had their lights on. I noticed that I could see further
South down Interstate90 from my current altitude!
I then walked to the SHERATON HOTEL to the GRAYLINE OFFICE and the receptionist now has
me down as NUMBER ONE on the list for the Boeing 9.00am run!! Unfortunately, her computer is
'down' so I can't pay yet, - but the good news is that THAT 'position' will be 'held' for me anytime up until
8.45am! No queuing is necessary here, so I walked back to my own room and toilet in the CAMLIN. Whilst
at my room, I also prepared my large case for leaving at the CAMLIN RECEPTION - as I was then off
to the SHERATON again!
I arrived at the SHERATON at about 7.45am (an HOUR early!) and paid for my 'Standby' ticket - and waited
for an hour!! I then joined the normal BOEING queue where it was indicated -and, shortly afterwards, entered the
uniform single-file-queue. At the door, the driver indicated that I should wait at the side as it is a 'standby' ticket. There
were four of us affected this way, and we waited for the rest of the queue to get ON. The 'queue-master' guy repeated
from the desk that there were 13 'spare' seats - so it seems OK!!!
It WAS OK! The driver acted as 'courier' whilst we were on the journey and 'commented' for the whole 30miles to the
BOEING plant. He pointed out lots of interesting facts. He spoke more about BOEING, very knowledgably, as we left
SEATTLE and headed for EVERETT.
We will see and enter the World's Biggest Building (by volume). It is in six sections, each with its own door the
size of a football pitch!! Three sections are for the 747's, with one section on the 777 and two for the 767's (but this
may be reversed for the last two items!). He explained how the trip/visit would be structured. That was very useful -
and repeated later for clarity and user-friendliness.
Boeing does NOT OWN its runways and field, - but rents PAINE FIELD from SNOHOMISH COUNTY. The
first quarter hour of this visit was for the toilets and gift-shops - then a further 20mins (about 19.5mins!) of film which
was in three sections. They were all well-explained and covered their products in good detail.
Boeing's visitor-control system was impeccable, with very clear instructions and timing - and 100% loaded all the time!
There was a great feeling of an organisation that knows what it is doing - and doing it very well indeed!!
We toured the parking areas displaying the latest 747, 767 and some 777's - including one nearly ready for BRITISH
AIRWAYS.
Inside the massive assembly building, the massive and well-timed operations were described. Overhead crane-movements
are usually at night - as are the 'roll-outs' over their bridge across a FREEWAY.
The coach got back to the SHERATON at 12.15hrs and I got back to my room at 12.25 and 'checked-out'. I then
brought my small bag down and handed the key in! There is LESS than two hours for the coach to the airport now.
I made myself comfortable in the foyer to write up my notes - but there was much high-volume-talking by a few
ITALIANS!! I completed my write-ups by 12.47hrs..
Then I walked out into Seattle for a change of scenery and a hot-dog. When I got back, all the cases were out and
waiting. MARILYN didn't appear as the escort - but a certain DIANE. She gave us all some goodie 'sandwich substitutes'.
They tasted 'great'!
On the way to SEATAC AIRPORT on the coach, we passed BOEING FIELD - to which 'deliveries' take
place - and where BA's 777 was parked! So, too, were many other aircraft - including one AWACS also!
We arrived at the SEATAC terminal FAR too early - getting through everything and arriving at their departure gate
(S20) two hours before takeoff! That's COSMOS at its most ludicrous!! I had something to eat and drink there to ease
the boredom - and even browsed through the shopping areas!. What a stupid waste of holiday/exploration time!
The time came, at last, to board our 747-400. My seat (D20) turned out to be in the 'Club' (1st Class) section. People in
the E20 and F20 asked if I "wouldn't mind" exchanging positions with the lad in J21 (also an 'aisle seat'). I had no objection,
since that was only 'one row back' - and there were good views from the window. A girl, on her own, came to occupy K21
(the window seat) - and I found that there is SO MUCH ROOM in the 'Club Class' seats.
So much more FOOD too!! AND a proper menu as well - with millions of courses!! I was constantly plied with
drinks, food and sweet courses. The girl in the next seat had decided to miss the 'main' and 'sweet' courses, only waking up
for tea/coffee at the end of this meal (evening dinner).
After clearing away the food, the guy in front of me went into "super-recline" mode. The ignorant b*****d had his
seat horizontal - which meant that in was right in my lap!! I couldn't reach my bag under the seat in front. I had to recline my
seat too - but it is very awkward writing under that inclination! Even more awkward, too, as they switched the general
lights out - and I had to try and switch my personal one on.
This seemed a good point to advance my watch by EIGHT HOURS. It was then 6.11am Friday. Guess that it is time
to put my light out and go to sleep!!
18 August 1995 (Friday)
I had hardly any sleep in this 747's "Club Class" compartment , because of the maximum reclining 'chair and bookcase'
on my lap!
Fortunately, there was a very smooth flight most of the way with isolated minor turbulence over the ARCTIC. I had
a good view out of my window (nay, porthole!) at about sunrise time over GREENLAND. The shadows were dramatic from
altitude - with major snow-cladding on the mountains.
Flight BA82 took off in a Southerly direction, then turned left to go over CALGARY (Alberta) and two other provinces to
the North and East of it.
After my UK touchdown, I took the 'RailAirLink Coach' from Heathrow. This was after the 20 minute stop on the runway,
after landing , due to departure delays blocking our 'apron'. The coach to Reading's station missed the train by 3minutes,
possibly allowing me to catch the next train (3 hours later!) arriving home that much LATER than expected.
I needed to replan the journey from Reading to Malvern!!
After complaints to the Station Master at Reading, it was even WORSE at OXFORD, where there was a lack
of timetables on Platform 2 - which lead me into conflicts with their station-staff (who couldn't understand the
timetables anyway!)
There were, apparently, some 'typos' on ALL current printed and computer timetables. This led to great indeterminacies
with:-
(a) The platform that the 16.24 leaves on,
(b) what time it gets to Foregate street (Worcester) - if at all!
(c) what time the connection leaves Foregate Street, and
(d) what time one arrives at Malvern Link etc.
It has been a STUPID HALF-DAY with BRITISH RAIL!!
It'll be nice to be home again, though! IF I get there!! When??
I met a old work-colleague on Worcester Foregate Street Station as he was about to catch
a train (he's given up hope with them too!) The station-master at WORCESTER admitted
that there are errors in the timetable!
I got the 18.08hrs out of Foregate St and was home about 18.30hrs after phoning for a taxi
from the 'Link'! I gave this 'job' to a different taxi-company - the only one whose adverts
are now in the box!!
Back to reality and home, the main occupations for the evening were my laundry and
entering my accumulated MAIL!
Return to 1995 index page or
return to Canadian index-page
or return to Roy's home page
for full list of books and other writings either finished or
under preparation.
roy@olympus.u-net.com