Now that I am someone’s mama my work travel schedule has changed and I have lost all my airline status. Leon and I will be in the back of the bus with everyone else on our flight to Miami. It was something I had prepared for prior to Eloise being born. I know that sounds weird but there is something about knowing all the airports, knowing what flights go where and when. I used to take a lot of pride in being the consummate flight concierge, having status on 3 airlines and 2 hotel chains. (funny I hate restaurant chains but sure have a lot of Marriott rewards)
Boy was I a sucker. I am flying every week for 6 weeks straight and I have never been so miserable. What did I see in this? I hate the airport, I hate the hotels. I miss my family. THIS SUCKS. Why the paradigm shift? The movie Up in the Air. Rarely do I see a film that really sticks with me. Ask Leon, lots of times I don’t even remember seeing movies. I really enjoyed this film, maybe enjoyed is the wrong word. I was touched by it. It rang incredibly true for me. I am not the “put my whole life in a backpack” girl. I need real life connections with friends & family. I can’t stand the prefab life of the business traveler.
Have you seen the movie? Did it resonate for you? If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it with the understanding that it left me feeling weird, maybe melancholy.
I liked it. It was a very real and rarely examined portrayal of the modern, detached world we call our own. There were some funny moments for sure but it does leave you with a hollow feeling at times. For those who haven’t seen it I won’t ruin it but there is an emotional punch in the gut that I haven’t experienced in quite a while. If you can weather that storm it does have an uplifting (I guess) ending.
You know I also loved it–in part because I could relate to the airline loyalty and the drive to maintain platinum status! I even took a trip to Thailand once to maintain status! Crazy, right?
I like your comparison to the chain restaurants. I totally agree, but those chain restaurants don’t give us anything (no upgrades, lounge access, etc.). Like Leon, I didn’t see the sucker punch coming at all!