Waiting at the OKC Airport One Learns Things

It is hour number nine since I arrived here at the Oklahoma City airport expecting to board a 6:20 flight to Chicago to catch up with the Astros in Chicago.  I was supposed to land at 8:25 and head directly to Wrigley Field to start working on pre game ideas for this afternoon's game.  One of the tapings would have been with Jordan Lyles on the eve of his major league debut tomorrow.

Instead I am still here since my flight was cancelled by American Airlines ostensibly due to the bad weather that affected over 400 flights in and out of Chicago yesterday.  Quick checks by both AA and our travel agent with Fox could not find any flights that were not fully booked already as alternates even those that might have connected at DFW.

So, I am booked for the 5pm flight.  And I will continue to wait.  It hasn't been all bad thanks to having my laptop and phone.  First, I was able to text everyone who would be affected by my non appearance today well before any of them were awake.  Then I added emails later.

When the production crew headed to Wrigley Field at about 7:30 the were kicking around ideas about how to cover for my absence.  One of the ideas was for me to call in and do a remote report.  They were joshing, but then we got the idea of trying a video from here using the built in video camera on the MacBook Pro.

Now, I have used it a few times, but not for awhile and never for anything other than an on-line commentary.  So what the heck.  If they can use it, fine.  If not, it is not like I would be taking any time I needed for something else.  I am stuck here.

So, I ad libbed a piece about the series starting, me not being there and some other commentary type points about the trip.  I sent it in.  And guess what?  They figured out how to use it and it will be part of our "fill" after the top of the 1pm hour.  So, I guess I was there after all--sort of.

The game will be starting soon...so I will follow on line and keep my scorebook up to date.  Then, about an hour after it finishes I will finally be on board my plane.

One thing I have noticed here in OKC is this airport is pretty dead and small.  The amenities are the basic ones you can find in Lubbock or airports of that size.

Oh yes, I also was able to watch the NCAA baseball selection show.  Great news for UT and Rice both being top 8 seeds.  If they can hold service in the first round they will host Super Regionals.  That could lead to A&M at Texas and TCU at Rice if the form holds...with two of the four assured of making the trip to Omaha.

As for me...I am just wanting to make my trip to Chicago.  But I wanted that nine hours ago!