Traveling on my employer's dime

Monday and Tuesday I flew with a group from my hospital to preview a software product we may (probably) purchase which will improve patient flow (admissions and discharges) as well as improve our efficiency in about a billion ways. We went to a hospital that has been using the software for a few years to see how it is used outside of demo mode. It was nice hospital with basically all of the same patient flow issues we have but definitely more efficient than we are in major part due to the software program they are using. That was the business side of things.

The nice part was staying in the Renaissance Club Sport Hotel (Marriott). That is not a hotel I would be paying for if I were traveling on my own dime, heck I'd have been in my trailer. I love the showers in Marriott hotels. I felt guilty when I stepped under the dual head shower and was sprayed by so much nice hot water because I'm from the desert. But I quickly got over the guilt and enjoyed the luxury. The software company's CEO payed for all of our meals except breakfast. I drank more wine with dinner than I usually do in a month. It was lovely not to worry about budget when ordering a meal.

The flights were OK. Going out we flew on Delta and our return was with Skywest through Delta. That plane was a bit small for me and the turbulence made me nervous. I know now why Delta is having money problems. Their customer service is attrocious. When I checked into the electronic kiosc to get my ticket, the machine asked if I wanted to change to an earlier flight "at no cost". Well I was tired and anxious to get home so of course I clicked yes. Everyone in our party who used the kiosk got the same offer but those who went to the counter had to pay $25 to change their flight so they complaigned (rightfully so). One of our party who got her boarding pass at the kiosk did not get a seat assignment, so she went to the gate attendant to obtain one. The gate attendant told her that she was on the list of people who had not paid for the flight change and that she and the rest of us would have to pay the $25. It was not like the computer kiosk accidentally forgot to charge us, the words "at no charge" appeared twice on the screen. After much arguing and obtaining their customer service number she paid the $25 so she could fly home with the rest of us. It was about 3:30 P.M. Pacific Time when she called the customer service line and got a recording that stated that their customer service office was only open until 5:30 Eastern Time and to call back. Great service!! I quietly waited for our boarding time all the while wondering if I was going to be forced to pay. But when the time came the gate attendant was busy as all hell and just sent us all through. I'm pretty sure it would have delayed to plane to have about five of us arguing with her. Great service that Delta. It felt like we were a bunch of cattle.

Boy I'm glad to be home.