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Friday, April 4, 2008

Huh?

"Skybus Airlines will cease all operations effective Saturday, April 5.Skybus struggled to overcome the combination of rising jet fuel costs and a slowing economic environment. These two issues proved to be insurmountable for a new carrier.We deeply regret the impact this decision will have on our employees and their families, customers, vendors, suppliers, airport officials and others in the cities in which we have operated. Our financial condition is such that our Board of Directors felt it had no choice but to cease operations.Passengers holding reservations for Skybus flights scheduled to depart on or after Saturday, April 5, 2008 should contact their credit card companies to arrange to apply for a refund. More information for customers and others will be made available on the Skybus web site (www.skybus.com) as it becomes available.All flights for Friday, April 4 will be completed. Passengers holding reservations on flights for Friday, April 4 should check in for their flight at a Skybus kiosk at the airport instead of the Skybus website."

Not the post I was hoping to run tonight, I have to point out. We had Trot's birthday party tonight, and I planned to show some video I took, but this news sort of trumped that. I'll try and get the happy stuff put up tomorrow night.

My Mom actually alerted me to this with a seemingly innocent comment about hearing something on the news. Turns out, what she heard was the prelude to what I posted. I mean, c'mon; you just STOP flying? Just like that? In a blink, my trip to Boston seemed like it was in serious danger of not happening.

Thanks to my saint of a wife who looked at my panicked face and said "Do what you need to do" to my buddy Rob who calmly talked me off the edge, much like a hostage negotiator, and helped me make a decision.

Trip to Boston? Still on, although not quite as cheap as I originally thought. Still, I've got a flight, and thanks to Candaon and hayes, a place to crash for 2 nights. At first, I thought this may be God's way of telling me I shouldn't fly; but c'mon. It's a chance to go to Fenway. I'd regret it my whole life if I didn't go.

Finally, JD Drew hit a 3 run home run tonight in a losing effort to the Blue Jays. For most people, this will go down as just another HR. For me? I'll remember it forever.

See, Rakes was sitting on my lap, about to fall asleep, when JD cranked it. The second it left his bat, Rakes looked up at me, eyes wide open, and yelled "Yay Day D Drew! He hit a Home Run, Dad!" For the first time in his 4 years, he wasn't imitating Dad; he was excited all on his own. As we slapped high fives with each other, it hit me. This was Rakes' Welcome to RSN moment. HE got it, and I realized that for all the headbutting he and I are going to have over the next 12 years or so, we're going to be able to find common ground on at least one thing.

Red Sox baseball. I gotta tell you; it's a pretty good feeling. And yeah, I may have teared up. So what? My boy and I had a "Field of Dreams" moment.

So thanks, JD.



Like Tex said earlier, I know who my next shirt purchase is going to be.

24 comments:

Tex said...

I think you should get the one with JD and get Rakes one with Drew on it :)

you can be Wonder Drew Dad and Son.

I'm glad it all got worked out for ya. I knew they'd find you a flight. Did it make your flight times change too much? Cant to meet up on Friday and do the tour then the Game!! woo HOOOO

Ted D said...

Tex, I like that. It was really a special thing for me as a Dad.

I was in full on panic mode for awhile. I leave a little earlier to go and a LOT later to leave, but it's OK.

I'll be in Fenway Park Friday, May 16th, so it's all good. ;)

Tex said...

but at least you'll be on a airline that doesn't have any problems

HorshamScouse said...

Glad you got it sorted Ted. And glad RSN has a new citizen.

Ted D said...

Tex, good point.

And Horsham, RSN indeed has a new citizen. A very short, very LOUD citizen. ;)

Anonymous said...

My husband wanted to know how your Red Sox are doing. He says his Jays are doing pretty good.

Tex said...

\Tex, good point/

i was joking.

Southwest continued to fly aircraft that had not been safety-inspected and which later were found to have fuselage cracks. When the airline notified FAA's principal maintenance inspector, he did not ground the affected planes. Later, Southwest formally admitted the safety violation through a voluntary self-disclosure program. FAA fined the airline $10 million. Two inspectors reported that their supervisor had permitted Southwest to continue flying the aircraft.

But its all fixed now. I fly them all the time...and Im fine.

Tex said...

and Pfffffffffffft to edges hubby :)

Krystle [RSO] said...

I have to go with Tex on this one, have someone take a picture of it and put it on Boston.com with the Red Sox fan pictures.

When some airline screwed over my family last year, they found them a new flight. However, the flight was already full - but hopefully that doesn't happen to you.

Welcome Rake's to RSN. Be ready for the all kinds of emotions that run your way. Be ready to suffer heart attack like symptoms with Dad =p!

You must post the videos of Trot's birthday party, I need to watch something cute today =]

beckperson said...

Not what I expected to read here today, Ted (regarding the airlines), but I guess I'm not surprised either. I'm glad you'll be on a real airline - I take it you will fly to Hartford? Either way, we're at 40 days and counting.

:-)

HorshamScouse said...

//A very short, very LOUD citizen.//
Should fit right in then:)

Tex said...

//A very short, very LOUD citizen.//

wait...i thought Ted was talking about me ;)

Ted D said...

Tex, give me a break! I was up until midnight getting this ticket worked out, then had to get up @ 5:30 for the blessed event known as Furniture Market! I thought that was American? Oh well.

Edge, tell Mr. Edge it's early!! Besides, after this Japan trip and the tough schedule, I figured on the boys scuffling in April. But the Blue Jays have the Sox number right now; I think today was 7 in a row?

Krystle, I'm going to try to put it up tonight. I had uploaded them and everything, then all hell broke loose. Yep: Rakes sort of made my night last night.

Becks, yep. Flying to Hartford where Hayes and C can pick me up. I'll actually get to spend most of the day with them, instead of just the night, so it worked out OK. I just don't handle pressure like that too well. Thankfully, Rob is a rock!!

And yeah John, he fits right in doesn't he! RSN is not known for it's meekness.

Ted D said...

Well hey Tex!

You or Rakes. It applies to both. ;)

Tex said...

its all good Ted. just think how lucky you were not having to watch the red sox implode today

Ted D said...

I wouldn't have gotten to see it anyway. They had the Sat blackout going, even though FOX wasn't broadcasting anyway.

I've got the TiVo set for Beckett tomorrow, though.

Beth said...

I'm so glad you'll be able to make the trip, Ted. I can't wait to hear your impressions of Fenway!

Anonymous said...

Hey Tex! You got any whipped cream to go with those raspberries?

Ted: Mr. Edge says to tell you he has to take what he can get because these past few years he hasn't had much to cheer for.

Tex said...

edge, you need to 'whip' that hubby of yours into submission to be a red sox fan ;)

Ted D said...

Me too, Beth. I just need it to get here before anything else goes haywire.

Edge, tell Mr. Edge that his Blue Jays won back to back titles in the 90's. It'd been 86 years for us!

Tex, to be fair, they are really native canadians. Even say "Eh?" and all that stuff. ;)

Tex said...

hence the winking emoticon Ted

Ted D said...

Sorry, Tex.

Sleep deprived and all that.

Tex said...

you can sleep when you're dead

;) note the winky

Ted D said...

Noted.

Smart alleck. ;)