Today Without Patty – August 14, 2006

by Candy

All is well in Raleigh. I am not so sure about Detroit though. Patty is in Detroit. Her day started at about 3 a.m. when she arose to prepare for her first trip through airport security since heightened measures were put into effect. No lipstick allowed? Not imaginable in Patty’s world.

First, I want to say that I am not responsible for all of Patty’s challenges. I did not make her reservations. The non-MMI person who did make the reservations spelled her name incorrectly (which happens all the time, but not so funny when airport security expects the e-ticket and ID to match exactly). Patty was forced to return to the ticket counter to have her ticket reissued. The reissued ticket was seen as a new customer buying a ticket for same day travel, which sends up a red flag to security. Terrorists typically buy their tickets for same day travel.

Patty was sent to a “special” security line where she says she was interrogated and strip-searched. The contents of her purse were dumped and searched item by item. It only happens to Patty. Patty did make her airplane (lipstick and all). But, of course, that is only what happened before 6 a.m.

After getting seated on the plane, her seatmate pulls out a container of orange juice from her bag. Patty could not believe her eyes – especially since she had not had anything to drink yet. Patty asked how she managed to get liquid beverages on board. Her new friend said that the security gate checked, but she bought the drink after security and no one at the plane gate checked or asked. So much for tightened security.

The next call I received was from Patty at the Detroit airport – looking for her ride to her appointment. We were told not to worry about a rental car; she would be met at the airport. Guess they forgot. Patty ended up in taking a car service (which is probably better than her renting a car and navigating the highways of Detroit) and is now happily in Motor City.

Life in the office is much more serene. Ryal visited a client – ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions which is a communication solutions provider. He learned all about unified messaging. According to Ryal and Kipp, this is very cool stuff.

Tim is back. Tim was an intern last semester and has returned to MMI as a part-time employee – our newest Public Relations Assistant. We are excited to have him back. Patty would say it is because of his laugh (he has a great laugh). I am excited because more work can get done (and I don’t have to do it).

I am sure there will be more wild stories from Patty tomorrow. For now, I have to get back to work.

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