Small things.

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After our plane landed at the Long Beach Airport last evening, we quickly collected our bags and walked outside to catch a taxi to our downtown hotel.

Hmmm. The last time we were here, a year and a half ago, there was a taxi stand across the street on the side of the parking garage. Not there any longer. We looked up and down the street just outside the terminal, saw nothing resembling a line of taxis.

Then I spotted a sign. “Long Beach Yellow Cab,” with a phone number. Okay. I dialed. And reached a computer which asked where we were located, and where we wanted to go. I provided the information, and the computer voice responded that I would receive a text message when the taxi was dispatched. Then it advised that we needed to go to the taxi stand. We had already figured out that there was no taxi stand. So I waited to speak to an operator. A male voice answered after a short wait and I explained the problem.

“It is to the right if you are just outside the main terminal.” Okaaaay. We walked the length of the sidewalk in that direction. Nothing. And no text message. So after a few minute wait, as most of the passengers who arrived with us had gone on their way, I called back. Got to an operator. Where is the taxi stand? This time round, the answer was that we should ask an airport employee. Right. And that text message? Is a taxi heading our way or not? There was no clear answer forthcoming.

So I hung up, opened my Uber app, and in three minutes Phillip pulled up in a black Tesla to escort us to our hotel.

So it seems the taxi companies have just completely ceded the Long Beach Airport business to the ride share companies.

…

The little tag says “Make an Impact”.

And I did!

In fact, it took three solid impacts between my head and the top bar of the shower door before I figured out that anyone 6 feet or taller has to duck when entering or exiting the shower, or else!

I don’t think this is the impact the hotel was advising us about.

A “Watch your head” hang tag would have been more in order.

I don’t remember ever being in a hotel where I had to duck to avoid head injury when going to take a shower.

Live and learn.

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