Having been involved in the automotive business and racing for a number of years, it has been my good fortune to have visited nearly every race track in the US. The bad news is that I have always flown in and right back out, never really leaving me the opportunity to “see” the countryside- the whole countryside; until now.

My good friends and customers Wick and Alli have acquired a car through my shop, Exclusive Motors (that IS what I actually do for a living) and I am fortunate enough to be picking it up for them in Greensboro, North Carolina and driving it back. What kind of car? Well…not what you would normally think of or read about here at OC Car Enthusiast, but, I am going to leave that alone for a day or two and let your minds wonder a bit…we have driven some pretty cool cars though….Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, the new Lotus, a new M3???,…hmmmm

The trip stated today flying out of Orange County. You know, I used to love to fly…it just isn’t a great deal of fun anymore. Flew out on Delta…nice enough folks, clean plane,  but, charging extra for luggage….F&^%%$$(&^^% and that is exactly what I asked them at the check in counter…..are you F*&^%n kidding me!!!??? By the way, should anyone want to take their significant other out for a very expensive meal, take them to the airport………….. for a sandwich.

The flight(s) were actually ok, though I did have to change plans in Atlanta. If you have not been there, Atlanta is a HUGE airport with miles between gates. I love the way connecting flights are managed there. You could not put two gates further apart from one another. Actually asking the gate dude in a rather sarcastic but joking tone…” Is there any way that you guys can put the gates further apart” about brought him to tears he laughed so hard. It can be a hike! Note: Take your jacket off first.

I land in Greensboro, grab the luggage (cool it came with the plane, having to pay extra for it, I’d go friggin nuts if they lost it now) and head to the Kiosk to arrange a ride to the hotel via the Marriot shuttle. Pick up the little phone handset thing and press the button on the kiosk for the downtown Marriot, the DOWNTOWN Marriot. See there is a Airport Marriot as well…had to make sure we pressed the right button. Nice lady at the other end of the phone says “just wait outside…the Marriot shuttle will pick you up”….how cool and she was just soooo pleasant- gonna like the SouthJ Three Marriot shuttles stop and I tell them the Downtown Marriot, the driver’s say…oh, this one is for the Airport Marriot. After a while…..not going to say how long exactly … called the Marriot….the Downtown Marriot. Oh, we don’t have a shuttle from the Airport sir…pardon me? I asked. But I just talked to a nice gal a while ago who said you did”. “No you did not sir, I was told” “yes, I called” “No sir, not here” …….This is gonna get uuuuuugly! TAXI!!! We’re already thinkin’ Gonna light this guy up! Who is your boss? Do not argue with me God damn it….I am German and  I just paid extra for luggage.

Get to the hotel and Jay is ultra cool!  I am really sorry sir he says, you’re right, the kiosk is messed up, I have upgraded you to a suite, breakfast is on us…anything else we can do for you”? Nope…Jay and the Marriot rock!

Tomorrow morning we pick up the car …

2 Comments · Digg This! · Stumble This! · Save to del.icio.us