“BLOG OPS” PIR 05/26/2011 Mission 2: Arriving at Great Lakes/Rental Car

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

The flight went off without a hitch. I do suggest bringing your own snacks and definitely buying a bottled water once past security. We arrived hungry and THIRSTY. Beverages were free but we are big water drinkers.

It also helps to keep anything you want to “do” in your purse or smaller carry on. That way you don’t have to get into the one you’ve stored up top. I REALLY did not want to bonk anyone in the head!

The Rental Vehicle
I forgot to find out just HOW we were supposed to get our rental car. No counters in sight.

That's 'cuz they are outside the airport.

Shuttles. Cool beans.

We were with AVIS. They were courteous and helpful.

TIP1: If you don’t drive toll roads I would recommend the IPASS with the car. That way you don’t have to “worry” about having change all the time and missing it and getting a fine or penalty or whatever happens. This is of course if you are going to be doing a lot of driving. I had a feeling I would be and so I did. I have no idea if I broke even cost-wise…and I don’t care as the mental benefit MORE than made up for it!
TIP2: Rent the GPS.
TIP3: Did I say “Rent the GPS”?
TIP4: DON”T forget to RENT THE GPS!

The GPS was a godsend! It saved so much time and frustration! I was VERY nervous about driving. I knew I was going to have to too. Prayer and little “Miss GPS” made it FUN! FT2 (fireteam 2) called it the “magic box”. Took LOTS of the stress away! I REALLY don’t care how much she cost!

We get our "orders" and march, okay at this point “trudge”, out to find our car.

Space S-16.

“Look out for space S-16 team.”
FT2-“Is it this Camaro?”…points at shiny red convertible.
“No…that’s not S-16”
“How about THIS Camaro?”…points at shiny orange convertible.
“No…read the space…not S-16!”
“Okay…the Camaro?”
I turn to FT3 and say, ”You have permission to hurt FT2 for me.” ((VBG)) LOL
We find S-16. Chevy…hmmm, looks just like a cop car (DH is law enforcement when not serving his country as a reservist).
Chevy Impala…THE cop car. It’s got an IPASS, GPS, XM radio and faux leather seats.
Cool. ;-) “Hit it.”
 

“How about the Camaro?”

“Uh…FT3?”
“I got this, mom.”

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[Jake and Elwood are arguing about the new Bluesmobile]
Jake: What is this?
Elwood: What?
Jake: This car. This stupid car. Where's the Cadillac?
[Jake tries to use the car's lighter, but it does not work; he throws it out the window]
Jake: The Caddy, where's the Caddy?
Elwood The what?
Jake: The Cadillac we used to have! The Bluesmobile!
Elwood I traded it.
Jake: You traded the Bluesmobile for this?!
Elwood: No ... for a microphone.
Jake: A microphone? [pause] Okay, I can see that. But what the hell is this?
Elwood: This was a bargain. I picked it up at the Mount Prospect City police auction last spring. It's an old Mount Prospect police car. They were practically giving them away.
Jake: Well thank you, pal. The day I get out of prison, my own brother comes to pick me up in a police car.
________________________________________
[Elwood and Jake stop in front of an opening drawbridge]
Elwood You don't like it?
Jake: [pause] No, I don't like it.
[Elwood jumps the car over the bridge]
Jake: [impressed] Car's got a lot of pickup.
Elwood: It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters, so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say? Is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
[Jake lights his cigarette using his lighter]
Jake: Fix the cigarette lighter.
________________________________________
Elwood: It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
________________________________________

[Anti M]

I adore the Blues Brothers, to the point hubby and my prescription sunglasses are Wayfarers. 

 

Tip for air travel: carry an EMPTY persona water bottle through security and fill it when you get on the other side.  If you ask nicely on the plane, they'll refill it too. That way you aren't constantly buying water (I can happily drink tap water, bottle water is such a scam).

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Thanks Anti M! Your Post reminded me off seeing this when I was at Midway  seeing my Sailor off(my theory on that is that I didn't have to "be" anywhere and noticed the little things!). Then again at O'Hare...only because of seeing it at Midway! Didn't see it at all at LAX...but then I was in such a hurry to get on the plane...and then in a hurry to get out of the Airport! LOL Three Airports in one day is...three too many!

Will have to add this one to PIR tips. Every little bit helps!

 

Really cool (am I dating myself?) about the sunglasses! Might have to check that out. I think DH would love it!

[Anti M]

Lenscrafters carries the frames. They are Not Cheap, but we keep putting new lenses in every couple of years.

I was in the Navy, in Great Lakes, when Blues Brothers came out.

It's not my fault!!!!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

BWAAA HA HAAA!