11/23/11

The LL and I arrived in Atlanta last evening and we are ready to spend some family time with Brandon, Meagan, and Siena.  Airport travel isn't fun, but we made it a few minutes late and considering the holidays it was really pretty good.

We have some shopping to do this morning for Thanksgiving dinner, then I have a couple of meetings.  We're going to spend the evening at Stone Mountain.  I've never been there, but they are in full holiday season mode.  I think we'll be letting Siena do whatever she wants with Santa and the rides.

Back to the airport thing.  It is unbelievable how much the Cincinnati airport has changed.  There was no one there at 5:00 when we arrived.  We were the only people at the security check point.  Five years ago we would have had to wait 45 minutes, at least, to get through security.  It's sad with the number of flights they have lost.  Without a vibrant airport, the local economy will suffer.  I remember when you could fly anywhere nonstop.  There are very few places to fly nonstop to now.  Delta held us hostage with prices, then abandoned the area.  I don't know what can be done, but we need to add flights or we have a first class facilty with no use.  So sad.

Atlanta has this new HOV lane called the Peach Express.  You have to pay a toll to ride in it.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  You pay an annual or monthly fee, get a sticker, and then it's yours to use.  If you drive in it without a sticker, they send you a ticket from the many cameras along the way.  So someone like me that really doesn't know the rules could use the lane, get home, then a couple of weeks later get a ticket in the mail.  Thats tourist friendly!

Well gotta go and shop for the Thanksgiving dinner!  Catch you later.