Back From Corn-Country

I went to Iowa for a business trip. I was there for less than 2 days. You might ask, "Besides corn, what business is in Iowa?" Answer: Potential new hires.

At any rate, in a matter of 23 hours, we gave 3 presentations and interviewed 17 people. Somewhere in there we found time to fly, drive, eat and sleep. Our last presentation was scheduled to last until 3pm. We had to get on the road to the airport immediately since we had to drive 40 miles to the airport and my flight was at 4:40pm. (Plus my travel partner wanted to get onto my flight instead of waiting 3 hours - she didn't make it.)

Some of the students were asking great questions and we continued to talk... more accurately, I continued to talk. When we arrived to the airport at 3:50, I left my partner and sprinted into the Des Moines airport. The first self-check in station was for United Airlines... Thank Goodness! There was an attendant standing behind it.

"Where are you going?" "Chicago."

I continue to press buttons feverishly. She stops me. "Let me check you in. You only have 45 seconds before they close the flight." "The boarding pass is printing." "You are ok then. Good luck!"

I run towards security... removing my jacket and shoes, emptying my pockets, putting everything into those nifty plastic bins.

I made it through security, gathered my belongings and sprinted toward the gate. Except for the staff, no one was there... but the door was still open. They scanned my pass and I walked through the door... MADE IT!

I walked onto the plane and they closed the hatch... I was the last one on!