One of the best things with travelling is that I have time to read books. Just finished Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking”, a great book exploring what Gladwell calls “thin-slicing”, instinctive gut-feeling based decisions. The book is more descriptive rather than conclusive, but full of interesting cases on how the most important decisions we make are often made in a split-second, in a blink by thin’slicing. There are the examples from War Games, an emergency room, marriage, speed-dating to criminal investigations. The list is long. Since I have a background in Psychology and in martial arts, I just love these type of stories. The book is very engaging and also written in a way that makes the reading flow. Warmly recommended to anybody interested in what makes us all tick’.
Just came back from “O” – Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio. An absolutely amazing show with acrobatic stunts, synchronized swimming and dance. Never seen anything like it. The whole stage was made up by a giant pool. If you of some reason visit Vegas. Make sure you see it. You won’t regret it. Here’s a video link.
After having spend nearly 12 hours on a flight from Tel Aviv to Newark – I rushed to catch my connection to Las Vegas with America West. My flight was going to depart 07.50 AM and it was raining a bit. Once boarding was completed we where told that due to weather conditions the flight cannot depart. America West claimed that there was light icy rain and their regulations did not allow a take-off under until the weather became better. We where left sitting in a closed plane for 5 hours beside the gate – waiting for better weather..Meanwhile all the other airlines took off like normal – I counted number less departures. But not America West, oh no, – the weather was simply too dangerous. We were all amazed by this. For a moment the plan left the gate just to park and await further instructions – just to tax back to the gate and let people what have already missed their meetings in Vegas to get off. After 4 hours, America West decided to let people off to buy some food and get back on the plane again. Once all the passenger’s where back on the plan again – they suddenly informed us that the plane was cancelled!
Totally unbelievable! And no real excuses where made – we where told that we have been re-booked for the 10.30 Am departure the next day instead. However, since the cancellation was due to bad weather – America West did not take any responsibilities for all off us who had to check into a hotel over the night. That was simply our own problem. Do I have to tell you that I was furious? And on top of it all I travelled on a full fare business class ticket. The worst thing of all was that it was just a bit rainy, not worse that a Swedish summer. And if the weather condition really was that dangerous, how come all the other airlines took off as usual? Where they endangering their passengers life?
Lesson learned: Don’t fly with America West – it might rain and then you’re better off on the train….
Why is that? Here’s one answer
I’m off to San Francisco for a number of very interesting meetings and to attend SES in San Jose. If you are in the area and want to meet up – feel free to get in touch. I will return on August 17th.
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