THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, JULY 11TH AND 12TH – NASHVILLE TO BREIM, NORWAY:
What a long two days. I jinxed myself before I ever left home because I broke my self-imposed rule of never flying United Airlines again. I have Emmylou Harris booked on the Norsk Country Treff in Breim, Norway this weekend. They booked their flights on United/SAS/Wideroe so I booked mine “similar” to theirs because United was so much less expensive. Ever heard the slogan, “You get what you pay for”. So true.
I couldn’t check in online the day before because of all the different airlines – all who are “supposed” to be partners. My flight left several hours earlier than Emmylou’s group. When I arrived at the airport, I knew I was going to have to check in at the ticket counter because of the multiple airlines. One problem – United only has kiosks and then the counter just tags your bag for you. I told the United agent my predicament and she insisted that yes, I would definitely be able to check in online. There was no separate line for Million Milers, so I got in a very long line to wait for an available kiosk. And, exactly as I knew, the machine would not let me check in online. It said that I needed to have an agent assist and indicated that someone had been summoned evidently because there was a red light flashing on the top of machine. No one even looked my way, so I finally spoke up and told the agent that I couldn’t check in online. By the time I told her, the red light had already turned off. She insisted that I could check in online and to try again. I patiently explained to her that, no matter how many times I tried, I would not be able too. She reluctantly agreed to check me in.
She would never dare admit that the reason I couldn’t check in was because of the multiple airlines. Instead she asked me how long I was staying in Norway and said that’s the reason I couldn’t check in. Give me a break. My ticket is booked roundtrip, so the machine definitely knew my return date.
Got my boarding passes and headed for the gate where a really sweet lady that I worked with when I was taking tours to Iraq every few weeks was working the counter. I realized that I only had a boarding pass for Nashville/Newark and Oslo/Sandane – nothing for Newark/Oslo! She was kind enough to print that one for me.
My flight left on time and I had the strangest “lunch” ever. It was supposedly a salad with grilled chicken but there was also a bowl of hummus with it. And nothing to “dip” the hummus in….
We landed on time and I had about a 5 hour layover – time to get a lot of work done in the lounge. I realized I had to take the shuttle bus over to the other terminal. When I got on the bus, I was asked “which terminal” and responded “B”. The driver asked how many were going to Terminal B and everyone raised their hands. Then he went to Terminal A, told us to get off, and then we got on another bus that too us to Terminal B. The SAS Lounge was another not so nice surprise. It was under renovation. There was only about 100 seats and most of those were occupied. It was really, tiny and crowded. I found a seat at a long “bar” with outlets for charging and set up my “office”. Not that I wanted one, but the fountain drinks machine was also broken.
While I was waiting, Emmylou’s tour manager – Maple – sent me a text that they were being delayed out of Nashville due to weather at Newark. It has started raining really hard. I gave him the bad news that United said I could not check my bags all the way through to Breim. His travel agent had said that they would be able to check theirs all the way through to Sandane and not have to pick them up in Oslo. Either way, we have a very long layover in Oslo because shortly after they booked their flights, Wideroe had a schedule change which meant they would have a 5 hour layover.
I worked and kept checking their departure from Nashville. Their flight departed one hour late from Nashville and the flight to Oslo would probably already be boarding when they landed. I worked in the lounge until about 30 minutes before boarding and then went to the gate. While I was waiting, I heard the gate agent paging one of the group. I went up to talk to him and explained that there were 9 people arriving from Nashville and also to try and talk him into holding the fight if necessary. He told me that everyone was going to need to come to the counter and have their boarding passes reissued. The group arrived a few minutes before we started boarding, got their new boarding passes and we departed on time.
At least the seat and tv monitor were nice. The food was “different” and definitely not as good as Delta. I watched one movie and then slept for 2 hours. It was a “short” flight for me – only a little over 6 hours. I skipped breakfast since it seemed like I had just eaten. Surprising enough, all our bags made it and we definitely had to pick them up and re-check. While I was getting information on where to check the bags, their tour manager noticed that there was an earlier flight back on the schedule. He talked to the agent and was informed that everyone could change their flights but had to pay a change fee and a higher price for the tickets. We were able to get on a flight that departed at 12:40 pm. I had booked a “day” room at the Radisson because we were originally going to have about a 9 hour layover. But, a lot of that 9 hours was going to be eaten up with picking up the bags and re-checking them and having to return to the airport at least 1 ½ hours prior to our flight time. The group had booked rooms at the same hotel but had booked them for the night before our arrival and were going to ask for a late check out. We arrived at the hotel at around 9:30 am and I got checked in very quickly. But the agent couldn’t locate the 9 reservations for Emmylou. Since we had to be back at the airport by 11 am, it was really frustrating. We finally figured out that the agent was looking for reservations made for arrival today instead of yesterday! Once the reservations were located, the credit card had to be processed separately on each person! I only had 20 minutes in my room! Most expensive hotel room I have ever had. I would have just cancelled it but it was too late by the time we arrived.
We walked back over to the airport, checked in, and waited to board the little Prop plane to Wideroe. The overhead was super small but the plane wasn’t full. There was some turbulence and the landing is always scary. It is rated as one of the 10 most dangerous airports for landings.
All the bags and equipment made it on the small prop and Gunnar and Nils were waiting for us with a mini-bus and trailer. It was a short 10 minute drive to the hotel where our keys were also waiting for us. My friend Cor from Holland and his son were in the lobby, too, and my friend Bill from Norway. My fan that I left here last year was in my room as requested. I forgot that I bought it new last year and never put it together. When I thought I was going to carry on my bag and not check anything, I removed my Swiss Army knife which I always have with me. Sure could have used it to put that fan together!
I got unpacked and then had to go in and change my email password because AOL shut down my account because of a suspicious sign on. They did that in May as well. I’m going to have a chat with them when I get home. After decades of using AOL, they should know I travel out of the country every month. I walked over to the little village and bought water, a salad, and some whole milk yoghurt for Emmylou. Hiked back over to the hotel and worked for several hours until time for dinner. Several of the guys were down there eating already and I talked with Cor and Emmylou while we ate. It was a great buffet but the best item was the Cauliflower soup! Amazing.
Back in my room by 8 pm and catching up on emails. It’s after midnight and I’m hoping for some sleep soon! Tomorrow is a full day with sound check, acoustic songs at the church and the show.
Jude
SATURDAY, JULY 13TH – PERFORMANCE AT NORSK COUNTRY TREFF:
After 4 hours sleep, I showered, dressed and grabbed a quick breakfast. At 11 am, I rode over to the venue with the crew to prepare for sound check. about 10 minutes into the 20 minute ride, I realized I had left my phone at the hotel. I did not want to turn around and make the guys late for sound check so after we arrived, I took care of some “basics” and then took the festival shuttle which departs from the venue every half hour and departs from the hotel every hour. By the time I got back to the festival, I only had a few minutes to take care of some backstage requirements and then I rode back to the hotel with Anna to pick up Emmylou and the musicians. As usual, everyone is impressed with the majestic beauty of Norway.
They were ready for Emmylou and the guys when she arrived and sound check was quick and professional – exactly what I anticipated from this group. It’s great seeing all my friends again not only from this area but from all parts of Norway.
Next on the agenda was the acoustic performance at the beautiful little church on the lake. Just the setting is breathtaking and inspiring. Emmylou and 4 of her guys just nailed it. And watching her singing with the backdrop of a beautiful stained glass window was surreal.
We returned to the hotel for a few hours before needing to go back to the venue for the concert. Emmylou loved the cauliflower soup last night (and so did I!) and asked if they would have it again tonight. We found out that they were having tomato soup tonight but when we asked if maybe Emmylou could have a bowl of the cauliflower soup, the hotel was happy to accommodate her. She just needs remarking about how nice everyone is here and she’s right!
Emmylou decided to go over at 7 pm with the crew to work on a song and I went with them as well. She was hoping that she left her compact at the venue because she had been unable to find it since she left this morning. Once she got there, we realized it wasn’t there. We figured it had to be a the church since that was the only other place she had been. But, the church was locked until tomorrow and she needed it tonight. I remembered that I had one that I had never even used in my makeup bag. I called Anna who was at the hotel to pick up the musicians and had the hotel let her in my room. I guided her through where to find it and she delivered when she dropped off the boys.
There was a very short meet and greet with about 10 fans immediately before the show. Emmylou and her guys took the stage at 9:28 – 2 minutes early and from the first note, it was magical. The fans loved every song she sang. Her voice is still so amazing. And, she finished at exactly 11 pm – right on time. She had some friends who had come all the way from Ireland! I think she said they have been fans for 40 years. Nils and Kristin said the fans loved the show and once again they were extremely happy. He said it’s the best artist they have ever had here and I reminded him that he says that every year but it’s still a great compliment. All the staff at the festival are excellent. A million thanks to the festival organizers, staff, production crew, and security for being so sweet and making this a problem-free visit. And, to Emmylou and her musicians and crew for being so easy to work with and the ultimate professionals.
We were back at the hotel by 11:30 and I’m going to try to get in bed by 1 am. We leave for the airport at 1 pm tomorrow morning and I really want to go for a run before I leave in this perfect weather.
Jude
SUNDAY, JULY 14TH – SANDANE TO OSLO AIRPORT:
Perfect weather for a jog! After showering, I went down to have breakfast with the guys. The mini-bus arrived early and Anna worked a miracle by packing all the luggage and equipment into the back of the vehicle. Thankfully we were the first people in line for check in but the agent was having problems with her computer this morning. There is only one agent, one check-in counter, and the belt we put our bags/equipment onto be loaded of the aircraft is the same belt for our carry-on bags for the security check! The “restaurant” after security is a couple of vending machines. The agent said the printer was also having problems and when she finished tagging our bags, she had one bag tag left over. We never were able to find a bag missing a tag and we had the correct number of receipts.
When we boarded the plane, there were only a few open seats. I assume the plane came in from somewhere else and the people still on the plane were only connecting through Sandane. Thankfully it was a short flight.
We arrived Oslo on time and all the bags/equipment arrived as well. We -walked over to the hotel and the check-in process was much easier than I was anticipating. We stored the equipment and then Maple and I walked over to the airport to discuss our flights tomorrow. All we needed to know was whether or not we could check our bags all the way through to Nashville and not have to pick them up in Newark. The lady helping us thought we wanted to check everything right then and kept explaining why we had to wait until tomorrow! Maple finally asked to speak to a supervisor and after much discussion, the supervisor advised that our bags could be checked through. I went to the kiosk and was able to check in myself and bag all the way to Nashville and got my boarding pass and claim check! Maple said everyone was too “scattered” to try to find them and check them in tonight.
I walked back to the hotel, change clothes and got in a 75 minute workout It’s a great exercise facility – of course when we are only here for ONE day!
Walked back over to the hotel to look for food for dinner because the room service and hotel restaurant don’t have food that is very appetizing. I ran into Bernie while I was there and we went upstairs to see if he could check in. He didn’t have any problem checking in and securing his boarding pass and claim check all the way to Nashville. But, it would only let him check one bag. I went and talked to the gate agent and she said after checking in at the kiosk, we could come straight to Baggage check and they would tag the pieces and let us pay there. Maple has everyone scheduled to go to the airport at 8 am so it might be “tight” getting everyone check in since the SAS agent told us it is a full flight. Wish we were going over earlier but too hard to find everyone tonight.
The airport has very limited choices for dinner – Burger King, a pizza place and a restaurant that sells noodles and curry. I opted for the ramen and got it as “take away”. The food was horrible! Absolutely NO taste at all. Showered tonight and then worked for several hours before going to bed.
MONDAY, JULY 15TH – OSLO TO NASHVILLE:
I got up an hour earlier than I had planned too so I could go over to the airport, drop off my bag and “check out the situation”. The lines were so long, SAS had opened up more counters. I spoke to the nice lady at the first check point and she agreed to let the entire group check in through the Priority Lane. Went back to the hotel and met up with everyone and then walked back to the airport check in counters. It moved relatively quickly and after checking in, we had to take all the equipment cases to a different area to drop off. Then there was a super long line for security. I went through “Fast Past” but even that was really slow.
After going through Security, passengers are “forced” to walk through Duty Free to get to the gate area. The smell of perfume is strong and nauseating. I think it hurts sales instead of helping them!
Once I finally arrived in the gate area, I went through Passport Control and then on to the gate. They had the “priority passengers” roped off from the other passengers so when we boarded, we did not have to show our passport and boarding pass again.
We boarded and took off on time and it was a full flight. I finally watched a good movie – Clint Eastwood in “The Mule”, ate lunch and slept for two hours – off and on. We landed on time and I went through Global Access and then to the restroom in the baggage claim area. I was talking to Emmylou and waiting for our bags when I heard my name being paged. It scared me but I couldn’t think of anything I had done wrong. I went to Belt #5 and the security agent was holding my passport that I had left in the Ladies Room!
My bag and Emmylou’s bag were tagged “priority” which means they are supposed to come off the belt first. Instead they were in the group of very last bags that finally arrived. Doesn’t do a lot of good to have Global Entry when you wait almost an hour for your bags to arrive.
At that point, we split up and Emmylou’s group left for Terminal A and I left for Terminal C. I’m on a flight that departs about one hour later than theirs. I went to the United First Class Lounge and they wouldn’t let me in because my flight from Oslo was on SAS – THEIR AIRLINE PARTNER! They sent me to another Lounge that was as far from my departure gate as possible. Since I had almost a 3 hour layover and wanted to get some work done, I made the hike back and forth.
Boarded my flight to Nashville on time and was back at the Nashville airport by a little after seven. Hope I never have to fly United again!
Jude