OUG Scotland (making money while flying)

On Sunday september 10th I flew to Scotland to present at the Oracle Usergroup in Glasgow. I was aware of the new rules with carry on lugguage (well I thought I knew) and handed my carry on back over at the checkin counter and just double checked to see if the rules were still very strict. Turns out I was allowed to bring the bag on board, however it was too heavy and that is why it had to be checked in. Fine, I was not in a hurry so no problem. Oh, I flew Transavia and paid 2 euro (excluding tax) from this roundtrip ticket.

Got on board with 50 other passengers (plane was a 737-700, so many empty seats). Got to Glasgow Prestwick International Airport walked to the terminal building to get my lugguage, and of course it didn't show up. Filed a missing luguage report (that was a big challenge due to noise in the building and the accent of the lady asking questions), turns out there was another passenger missing his bag, that made me feel good :)

Turns out he was going to Glasgow also and helped me to find the train (no ticket needed) and when we arrived at the Central Train station in Glasgow he helped me to find the hotel. It was a beautiful day and many people were out shopping.

Checked in to the hotel and again had trouble understanding the girl at checkin, got to the room and ofcourse got on to the internet.

Monday arrives and I write my presentation in the morning as I have my presentation at 14:30. Decide to buy a clean shirt and make my way to the venue (Radisson hotel next to central station). But I can't find it. Get phone calls from the organisers who are worried (I am not) that I may miss the presentation slot. So I ask them to tell me the name of the road that the hotel is on and they can't. For the next 10 minutes I wander around Glasgow and then Doug Burns finally gives me permission to land at the hotel. Put on the new the shirt, did the presentation and then there was beer.

Oh and the lugguage didn't show until Tuesday afternoon (after my second presentation). Turns that Transavia pays 50 euro per day for the missing lugguage. That is at least 100 euro. Not bad if the ticket was costing 2 euro. Minus the price of the shirt, that I needed any way :-)