business travel

I always a bit excited and feel slightly important when i get to travel for business. I don't do it very often so it is a treat. However i'm quick to forget all the complications that are associated with traveling. Like being away from work for several days, sleeping in another bed, being in a different time zone, living out of a suitcase, flight delays, tons of food at the finger tips, etc. My most recent trip to Montvale, New Jersey was for Train the Trainer. It's as exciting as it sounds. Basically it was a good trip. The flight out of Chicago was on-time and uneventful. The training went very well, over-whelming but well. There is a lot to know for our teaching the class next week. The hotel was another event. The cleaning maid was not the best. She seemed to forget a few things, like emptying out the water in the ice bucket, checking the drawers for things left from the people who stayed in the room before me, making sure the towels and robe are clean, and cleaning up after room service. They sound like little things but her job is more than just making the bed. Isn't the fun part of staying in a hotel room that someone cleans up after you? Ok yes the king size bed with the pillow-top is probably the most fun part but i'm all for someone else doing the cleaning. Back to the flights... now if i want to complain here's where it's acceptable. I checked our flight about 2:45 on the United Airlines site. 6:00 running on time. yeah! Upon arriving to the airport, we were informed that the flights leaving before us were delayed. Security wasn't too bad, cannot complain. Upon arriving to the gate, learned that they flight was being delayed until 6:20. still not bad. before long it was delayed to 7:00, then 7:10, then 7:15... we were afraid to look away from the board because it kept changing. We were informed that the in-bound flight was late. This is the reason for our delay. 7:00 came and went, still waiting. I have to point out that the scheduled 7:00 flight left on time. finally 7:30 came and we were able to board the plane. Took off at 8:10. Landed at 9:10 local time. Our suitcases had arrived on one of the flights before us, so we didn't have to wait then hopped in a cab. Was tiring and feeling annoyed after the long delay until i learned that a friend/co-worker flying in from Dallas schedule to land in Chicago at 7:30 was still at the Dallas airport. She didn't land in Chicago until after mid-night. *sigh* got to love traveling. I hope i remember this for the next time i travel...