The Hong Kong Trip

“Think positive, Dan. I’m sure you’ll be able to upgrade at the airport.” As always, Nazy was optimistic about my chances to move to business class.

And, also as usual, Swiss International Airlines was less accommodating.

“Business class,” the clerk announced, “is oversold. We’re looking for a business class passenger willing to fly tomorrow in exchange for 2500 Francs.”

“Hmm,” I thought. “An upgrade looks unlikely.”

In fact, the flight to Hong Kong was completely sold out. However, as a seasoned traveler, I am able to fall asleep instantly – even in a cramped and uncomfortable Airbus 340. Demonstrating this ability, after adjusting my noise-canceling earphones, I fell asleep before the airplane left the gate. I woke up later with a cramp in my neck, a crick in my back and general feeling of weariness.

“Well,” I thought. “I hope that we’re somewhere over India.”

In fact, we were at the de-icing station.

“This may be more difficult that I had hoped,” I thought – accurately.

We eventually took off and getting to (back to) sleep proved more tricky that I had hoped. The flight droned on (and on and on). In contrast, my inflight entertainment system, with 22 different movies, a zillion television programs, games and audio was broken. I could only watch the camera view – which showed 12 hours of clouds. As scheduled, we arrived, in the rain, 12 hours later. (I had a good view of our landing.)

I called Nazy to report a safe arrival.

“You have all the fun,” Nazy announced. “You get to go to Hong Kong.”