On May 12, 2000 we flew from Lisbon, Portugal to Washington, D.C. The trip will continue north up through the Atlantic States to Canada.
Our flight this time was on a Canadian Charter Airline called Skyservice, it was probably the best flight, providing the best service yet. We were treated to two in-flight movies during the 7 hour ride home to the U.S. We actually arrived a half an hour before we were scheduled to arrive. Great!
However, the total disorganization once the flight was over, left us all with a feeling that "things could be done much better!" Processing through customs and immigration was simple. It was the transportation to the Hostel and the length of time it took to get there was unbelievable.
We were loaded along with all our gear onto Washington Flyer buses to be taken to the "staging" area adjacent to our A330 Airbus. Unfortunately, someone didn't order enough buses to carry all of the riders, nor did they take into account the unusual size of all our gear. Due to this some of the people had to unload themselves and all their gear in the parking lot, so the buses could go back and get the rest of the people.
While the people were getting moved around, the United Van Lines people were unloading our bikes from the A330 Airbus onto their big van. One at a time. We watched from the distance, waiting in the hot sun, tired, hungry and without any water or food. This process took a couple hours. When the truck was finally loaded, it went through customs than came to the parking lot where we were waiting. We then had to unload all the bikes onto the parking lot.
Some of the riders are going home from the airport and needed their bikes. The bikes were all mixed together, with bikes from people who were going to the hostel. Even though TK&A had a list of who was doing what, nothing was ever done to speed the process and separate the bikes. So, we continued to unload all 240 or so bikes. This of course took some time.
Once everyone got their bikes, we had to reload all the remaining bikes. Rather than sit around and do nothing, I along with at least 30 other riders helped in this loading and unloading process. It was made simple by the fact that the United Van Lines truck was set up perfectly for the bikes. The professionals from this company did an excellent job with our bikes, to bad they had to work extra hard for the lack of preparation on the "customers" part.
Once the parking lot was cleared of people, baggage and bikes, we took off for downtown Washington, D.C. Our scheduled "beds" are at the Hostelling International - American Youth Hostel location a few blocks from the White House. We had landed at 3:30 in the afternoon, it was now approaching 8 p.m.
The next frustration came when all the buses dumped us and our baggage off on the sidewalk of Washington, D.C. at dark to check into a lobby meant for 2 maybe 3 people at most. We crushed them! There was nothing to do but form a line through the lobby that continued out the door and down the sidewalk. We took turns watching our stuff, wondering who in their right mind would want to take it! This process took a rather long time. Once getting the key there was no one to help me with the luggage, Larry had taken a flight home to Denver, so I was left with all the baggage.
Gloria and Gary helped me get it up to the room. It was a difficult process considering everyone was trying to do the same thing. There was a nice young man from the Hostel that did assist us. He took command of the elevator, organizing each ascent to specific floors. This one service helped keep us all from killing each other!
It was 9:30 that evening before I sat down for dinner. Looking at my watch I figured it took us more time to get from Dulles to the room, than it did to get from Lisbon to Dulles! What is wrong with this picture?
Lacks curb appeal! International Youth Hostel turned out to be OK
to be continued...go to U.S.A.
