Written by: Jeff Shapiro
6/15/2009 2:28 PM 

Do we have clearance, Clarence?
-Roger, Roger.
Surely you must mean that we can take the gliders?
-Yes I do, and don't call me Shirley.


I quote from the movie Airplane because traveling with hang gliders, especially internationally, is a bit stressful at best and at worst, can age you 20 years instantly. Today we rolled out of our hotel just south of Bellingham, Wa and crossed the border north into Canada to catch our flight from Vancouver to Dusseldorf. We checked in and after a little charm and a lot of luck, O'Brien had us paying $40 Canadian each for our gliders. I managed to get the two handlers that were there to help us to feel important about the fact that they were about to help make or break our trip and we left feeling good that they would make it on safely. The folks that helped us went way above and beyond and although it took a truck to come to pick them up curb side (they wouldn't fit in the service elevator), we were told after arriving at the gate that they did indeed make it on.....safe and sound.
Brilliant!
Now, we are just kicking back with a coffee and waiting for the complimentary drinks that will flow on the Atlantic crossing.

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