Watch What You Write

So, I told you all that I'd be updating about the trip to Ohio. I realize I haven't done a great job of getting through all 11 topics. But, I feel the need right now to jump ahead and address the ones that relate to the Akron-Canton Airport, specifically numbers 8 and 11.

And here's why! I received an email from a marketing and communications officer saying she'd read the blog and wanted to check on the thermostat issues! So, without further delay, here's an elaboration on #s 8 and 11:

#8 How to React When the Signs in the Airport Point to Tornado Shelters

I have several irrational fears in my life. I guess you could call them phobias. They are, in no particular order:
* arachnophobia - a fear of spiders (which is why I continue to be amazed that I have featured spiders on this blog more than once)
* selachopobia - a fear of sharks
* lilapsophobia - a fear of tornadoes

I am the first to admit that these fears are completely irrational, and the fear of spiders really freaks my dad out. It really drives him crazy that my fear is so irrational. But, the fear of sharks and the fear of tornadoes are completely unfounded as I have never encountered either one of them before. That being said, I've often wondered why people willingly live in an area that requires a tornado shelter. It seems so logical to me that if you do live in an area prone to tornadoes, you'd just as soon build your house completely underground. However, this isn't the case.

So, here I am, still in the same clothes I cheered my freshmen on to a 3rd place victory in, sunglasses still perched on top of my head, no shower, no toothbrush, three planes later, and I land in an airport with signs all over the place pointing the way to safety lest one of my biggest fears comes true. And all I could think was that a freaking tornado would be just what I needed after a day of pure traveling hell. I assure you I'd be too terrified to follow the signs to safety, which, by the way, was in the bathroom.

Go check out their website. They have a relaxation station, which I can promise you I'd need in the event a tornado was headed my way. All they're missing is a big sign saying "Welcome Home, Y'all!" or "Y'all Have A Good Flight Now, Y'Hear?" and they'd be set.

#11 Why The Akron-Canton Airport is the Second Coldest Airport in the World

The reason why I dubbed Akron-Canton the second coldest airport in the world is because it isn't the coldest in the world. London Gatwick is. I'm talking freezing. No matter when I went to London, as soon as you get off that plane (and I was flying US Air, remember...my fav) you wind down this ramp and I promise you are walking through a meat locker. Everyone's teeth are chattering, icicles are hanging from the ceiling. It's cold. Not sure if it's intentional or what, but I've been to London in November, February and March and each time have gotten the same super-chilly reception. I know what you're thinking....London is as far north as New York and you only went in cold months. Well, I don't care. I was cold.

At Akron-Canton, however, it was October. 12th to be precise. And it was 75 degrees outside. Rare for Ohio that time of year I was told. Normal for South Carolina. I was prepared though. I had on jeans and a sweater. And I was freezing (as I sat at gate 5 and stared at the folks boarding the neighboring on-time US Air flight at gate 4 - I throw this out for the benefit of my friend K at the Akron airport....K, that's where the thermostat is broken!). But, I must admit that as I looked around, no one else seemed bothered by it. I saw some in tank tops, others in shorts. And one man in shorts and a t-shirt! What!?!?

I know that I am from the deep south where temperatures easily climb above 95 degrees for several months out of the year. But, I'd like to think that I am not so southern that a 75 degree day makes me chilly! Quite the contrary; I usually sweat through my clothes on a 75 degree day. In fact, I don't even need a heavy coat until the temperature dips below 70, and it was no where near that in Ohio. That's a joke, by the way, but I was cold that day. Of course once I boarded my plane, I was back to being hot. Maybe that's the problem...all the cold air was inadvertently being pumped from the plane to the airport. All you Delta passengers can thank me later for seeing that an airport employee is now aware of the problem. Hopefully your next Delta flight will be cool and comfortable....and ON TIME!

I am still amazed sometimes that people actually read this blog! K, thank you so much for the email! If I ever get back up to Youngstown via the Akron-Canton Airport, I promise I will be sure to look you up and say hey! If, that is, I haven't made the mistake of taking a delayed Delta flight again!!