Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Party games?


As the crow flies?



As the crow flies is an adage that usually refers to the most direct route.  Modern airlines used to get you to your destination as the crow flies.  Unfortunately with cutbacks and cost saving efforts, this is no longer true.  The crow is flying a bit crooked these days.

My son, who just finished Tech School in Texas, decided he wanted to come home for a week visit before he goes to his duty base.  He booked a flight.  I live in Virginia, not 40 miles from the Nation’s capital, and he was coming from Texas. 

His flight went like this…fly to Dallas, wait and switch planes, fly to Miami, wait some more, get on another plane and finally fly to D.C.    Total travel time, close to nine hours.  Now, lets visualize a U.S. map.  We start out directly across from our destination, but find its better go down that map as far as we can only to turn around and go up the map.

It gets better.  When researching flight to his new base in N. D. I learn that I must first go to Atlanta, and then go to Minneapolis, and from that point, travel to N. D.

What’s next, going to Europe via the Arctic Circle?

Personally I think I have figured out how they come up with these itineraries.  The Airline executives all get together and have a martini lunch.  After about six cocktails, they decide to map out the routes for upcoming flights.  They attach a map on the wall, and blindfold the CEO.  He has a big pushpin and he’s twirled around three times and directed towards the map.  They all have fun and pretty soon they have all their flights mapped out. 

This technique may be familiar to you as the child’s game of pin the tail on the donkey or in country jargon, “going around your elbow to get to your ass”.

(Honestly now, I didn’t curse, look it up-- an ass is just a donkey)

p.s.  The pastel above was painted a few years ago when my son was around 11 years old.  He is now a handsome 19 year old airman first class.  :-)

16 comments:

maddyrose said...

I love coming here to see what you're up to. You have a way of looking at something and finding humor in it. I can picture the whole scene and am sure it's exactly like you described it.

Anonymous said...

such a lovely story and beautiful painting to boot!

Daniella said...

Lovely art!! Must be a piece about your boy!!

Now, his story is mental! They are raising all of the rates to fly, SUPPOSEDLY because of the cost of gas. BUT, they force you to fly for 9 hours? Wouldn't they save money by flying direct? Unbelievable.

Hope you have fun when he comes home!
xxDaniella

Carol Blackburn said...

Crystal, this is known as "organized chaos!" :)

Heather said...

ummm....HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I agree, who ever heard of such a route~
I love the drawing here...excellent folds in the jeans, and shading!
Enjoy the time with your son!!!!
cool about the paper dolls, you must share! How do you print on felt?
xoxo

Crystal said...

I do know a bit about airline strategy. Its all about filling seats. If you have a plane that is not full and already going to a destination and you have someone who wants to get there from another destination, its cost saving for them to make that poor slob run across an airport to make a connection so that the next plane will run full too. Honestly its all about how many sardines you can fit in the can. Some airlines (and I'm not naming names AT) will move each seat 2 inches forward so they can fit two extra rows in the back of the plane. Bet you didn't know those seats moved!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

In the days when I still flew a lot I had many, many of those many destination flights!

Lee Pierce said...

Lovely painting! Sad but true story. Direct flights, if available, can cost dearly. I hate the hurry up and wait method of air travel. :P

Julie said...

Funny story! Beautiful painting, I love the longing in his eyes, so dreamy.

Valerie-Jael said...

Too true! We live here right near the airport. Post gets taken to Frankfurt - 250 miles away, and then delivered here by train and truck. No wonder it costs so much!

Magic Love Crow said...

Crystal very funny! But, so true!! I love the painting! Take Care!

Morph Waffle said...

My word, what a pain in the butt! I know somebody stationed in ND! Wonderful piece, love how you did the fabrics!

maddyrose said...

Crystal, I remembered something I forgot to ask in my earlier comment. How large is this peice? The reason I'm asking is there is so much detail in the garments and on the ground that I assume it isn't one of your aceos. Also, what brand of colored pencils do you use? I need to replace some of mine and discovered the ones I like are no longer available.

Leovi said...

This magnificent and beautiful pastel portrait of your child. Of course the airlines are a complete puzzle and more in America with such long distances, I do not save fuel.

Gerri Herbst said...

Fabulous painting! Love the story about yr son too. LOL.

Jehanne's doodles said...

Fantastic painting! I can't believe it takes so long to get from one place in the states to the next and so many change overs. I do believe you have figured out what happens in the flight planning meetings :)

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