Living Out of my Suitcase

Well, I've been "on the streets" for nine days now and have collected a few thoughts, and experienced a few new experiences.

The biggest challenge for me had been to find a place to take a shower. I didn't have any local friends for resources, so I had to look elsewhere. I finally found a couple places to freshen up.

Sleep hasn't been a big issue for me. Although it's irregular, I sleep during the day because I work (have a place to go to) at night five nights a week. My first two non-work nights were spent at the BWI and DCA terminals. Both garnered memorable experiences.

I don't look like a bum on the street, so after discovering Guinness at BWI, and meeting Lorrie from Houston at the bar and meeting the Airport Manager (as a law-abiding patron, I might add) I sat at one of the gates with Lorrie and watched the arrivals.

When she left with her brother, I continued to hang out at Gate D. A businessman, who was spending the night waiting for a early morning flight, started up a conversation with me. While we were conversing, an airport security guard on his Segway, came up to us to chat. Upon learning that we were spending the night, he invited us to more comfortable accomodations where we could sleep, if we so chose. I ended up talking with this gentleman for hours. We exchanged our Entrepenuerial experiences, and I bounced my Airline Crew Housekeeping Services idea off of him. Around 4am, I had a hankering for a Subway sandwich. After eating it, I returned to Gate D and watched the pax begin to filter in. I also greeted a number of crew members passing by and wished them a pleasant trip. I was pleased with their acknowledgement.

During this time, a homeless man of more than six months approached me and in a humble polite manner asked if I could help him get something to eat. I chuckled inside as I happily answered his bequest. On our way to Subway, we had a pleasant conversation. I told him I had been homeless for 3 months about 4 years ago, but I made no indication that was my present situation as well. Upon learning this, he seemed more comfortable talking to me. I was happy to help him out.


That was Thursday night. On Friday night, I actually had an appointment to meet a D-Day hero at DCA. Upon arriving, I sent out a tweet to Airline crews that the first crew to find me via Twitter, would earn free Godiva Chocolate.

I had a Jack Daniel's Burger from TGI Friday's and talked to a man who was down on his luck about my attempt to get a Ramp Agent position with US Airways. I was watching their operations from the closest point possible inside of TGI Fridays.

The gate where we were to meet the D-Day veteran was abuzz with many men and women in uniform as well as representatives of Honor Flight. I didn't make any new friends out of the group, but enjoyed cheering with them when our hero arrived.

Due to my poor sleeping habits, I was feeling depressed, so I found a comfortable seat with an outlet and fell asleep. I slept for ten hours, waking up to a 15 foot tall eskimo's face looking directly at me in the terminal window from the tail of an Alaska Air jet.

Upon leaving DCA and entering the Metro station, I started up a conversation with an ExpressJet pilot of five years. We talked about fly-ins and the crazy weather that definitely wasn't in his favor on this trip. I ended up taking Metro to Huntington and stumbling upon a bus that took me to Mt. Vernon. I got a nice sample of of the free areas. I will go back when I can spend $15 on a ticket.

One of my favorite projects right now is using social media to try to help my friend Clint find a Corporate or Charter pilot position. I was initially impressed with his dedication to his job search, and his efficient use of social media. I have decided that his cause is worth investing my time helping him generate leads, and in the meantime, I can build my network and start to help others, and gain experience that will help me feel like a more valuable resource

These are a few of my thoughts about my first nine days living out of my suitcase.