Act
August 29th, 0800:
We left the homestead, with DDB (Double DingBat) managing the the property. We're on our way to IAD!
0840: Called PopPop to check on his status. He's turning around because Mimi forgot her medication. Argh! No worries, we have plenty of time. We plan to meet at my office in Reston VA. and the flight doesn't leave until 1150. My daughter has had suspicions about this for a week or so now. It's damned difficult to keep anything from children that involves this much preparation. Couple that with her insane amount of intelligence and you have a recipe for discovery.
a
0925 Breakfast is served. All is well. Mimi and PopPop arrive shortly thereafter.
0945 The cars arrive to shuttle us to the Airport.
::::nini rant::::
Our foray into the bowels of Dulles Airport include passing through the wonderful oxy-moronic conflagration called Security. The sublimely indifferent and obviously shallow TSA officials, err, worker drones blather on every few seconds about HAND CHECK...BAG CHECK, NO ALARMS..... What??? No one arrives. Our items are waiting there on the table, waiting to be nuked and examined and summarily ignored.
5 more minutes have passed...
Why, dear god, WHY can't people pay attention to the simple directions given them? When the TSA folks tell you to take your laptop out of the bag, please, for the love of god take it out! One droll yet ignorant looking person comes back through the metal detector to take his laptop out of the bag after it passed into the X-Ray machine. He gets the stink eye from me...
Still no movement. Indifference abounds. It's a palpable feeling. One that permeates your very being and causes fits of spastic rage. Ok, thats not exactly true but it was beginning to piss me off a bit.
We finally begin to move forward, our parcels are heading into the Nuclear Pizza Oven to be scanned and prodded while carefree non-English speaking or personnel entrusted with the safety of this great nation, who may or may not have a GED are poised to stick their grubby paws into our belongings. Oh, did I mention PopPop has had 2 operations to replace his right knee? Yep, thats right kids, he will set off every metal detector from Dulles to Atlanta. And, that very same TSA which refuses to profile takes aside a 69 year old man with Chicken legs and begins to "wand" him.
1025 We're through security and making our way to the infield terminal somewhere near Leesburg. We still have plenty of time to get something to eat. PopPop is behaving oddly. He's at the age where he's like old worn out socks. The more you walk around the more they fall down. He just kept tripping over everything. He was overheard making the comment that "They don't respect old people."
1150-1340: The flight....from hell.
I had the presence to pre-select our seats and we have the whole row to ourselves. My daughter is sitting on the opposite side next to Mimi and the wife and I are all alone on the left.
It starts out innocently enough. A young girl of 3 is kicking the seat. We strike up a quick conversation with her mother and we find out they're staying at the same resort we are. Great....I can barely contain my enthusiasm. The condensed version follows.
Her son is next to her now playing with the airflow. My wife and I are trying to snooze for a few minutes and having no luck. Did I mention he was kicking the seat? Yep, he did more of that too.
We're making the final approach into Orlando and someone farts. Badly. The cabin fills and we're being slowly asphyxiated. Jesus it stinks and I start making comments about it. Even my parents are victims to the odors and we have an idea who it is. I want off this plane.
Cut to the resort. We need provisions so off we go. Did I also mention that PopPop is directionally challenged? Left is right, right is left, etc... So, we make our way to WaMart aka WalNuts. We need various sundries, mayo, ketchup, mustard and other items. However, we're only there for a week. So, here's the exchange:
Me: "Why bother with jars of mayo, etc..? Lets take some packets of stuff ad save some money?"
PopPop: "Good idea. Fran, open your purse."
We stuff the packets into her purse and she's getting the feeling this is somehow stealing.
It's not, it makes economic sense.
To be continued....
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
It's the customer service, STUPID
I know this may come as a shock to some of you that read this but there are some in the auto repair industry that lie. (shocking, isn't it?)
The latest round of stupidity comes from none other than Koons Honda of Manassas Va. We dropped off our 2008 Accord due to what sounded like two rabid cats mating inside a metal can. (it's the best analogy I can think of so bear with me) I dutifully
generate the appointment via their website and arrive at the predetermined time. The Service Advisor, (name removed) greets me or whatever you wish to call it and I begin my condensed diatribe regarding our injured vehicle.
I explain to him the front end vibrates at high frequency when applying the brakes. This occurs only when they are up to operating temperature. I also tell him the rear brakes are likely worn since it sounds like they are hitting the wear indicators. (refer to rabid cat reference above) I also explain one of the rear speakers vibrates badly at an undetermined low frequency.
I hand over the keys and off I go.
::Cut to 10 AM yesterday morning::
I receive a call from (name removed) telling me what I need. This is a summary of what he said for the sake of brevity.
He explains my front tires are likely out of balance, (BS) which is causing the vibration. Nevermind the fact the vibration is not speed induced but rather....you know what I mean. He also states the rear brakes, specifically, the inboard pad on the left side is down to the wear indicator. Ok, dragging caliper or defective parking brake, take your pick. Honda actuates their parking brake not with the tried and true method of wee little shoes inside the rear rotor. Rather, they use a mechanical linkage to the actual caliper. Again, ONE pad out of four is worn below specifications which means the caliper is dragging on the left side.
(A side note about my background. I have applied a wrench to most everything that has wheels on it save 18 wheelers. I have taken engines that were torn down to a bare block dumped in the rear hatch and re-assembled them. I know how cars work, I understand how ancillary components function and I damn sure understand the theory and operation of automobiles.)
Back to the story....
The "advisor" informs me it must have been our fault and we left the parking brake partially engaged. Again, BS, since there are visual and auditory indicators. We went around and around and I finally told him for the billionth time I was not going to pay for this even though the warranty for normally replaceable items is 12 months/12,000 miles a non replaceable part caused the failure.
It gets better...really...
The "advisor" explains the vibrating speaker issue to me and states it was due to the vibration in the front end. Wait, you mean to tell me the vibration in the front end transmits to the speakers even when stopped with the engine off? Brilliant! He's so bloody full of BS his eyes are brown.
The next go-round was the front end vibration upon applying the brakes. This indicates warped front rotors. He explains yet again this is due to incorrect tire pressures and tires that are out of balance. Can you say BS? I sure can and I called him on it again.
wait, it gets better again...
I told him under no circumstances would I be paying for these repairs since the defective, covered parts induced failure in the non-covered parts. He refused to budge so I told him to stop work and get my car out of there.
::Cut to 5:30 PM:::
We arrive at the Stealership armed with information and secure in the knowledge I really want a death cage match with this liar. I can feel the adrenalin flowing. I check out from the cashier with a $0 balance and ask to the see the Service manager. He arrives shortly thereafter and I begin to explain my side of the story. He agrees the issue with the rear brakes must be due to a dragging caliper and after I tell him I am taking it to Pohanka Honda in Fredericksburg he offers to put me in a free rental and they would take care of the problems. He restored my faith in people and this entire sordid process if for only a day or two. He did the right thing by mitigating a rapidly deteriorating situation. He kept me from having to wait in another dealer's lounge for the better part of a day banging away at my laptop trying to do some work. However, (isn't there always a however?) I shouldn't have to go to this length to get acceptable customer service. I shouldn't have to be on my toes and look for lies within the advisor's words.
It all boils down to the advisor not betting on having a customer who is knowledgeable in how this process works and they prey upon the weak and ill informed.
The real fun will begin when work is complete on my car and I have a chance to confront the advisor. I can assure you he won't like what I have to say and I will make it my mission to see he thinks twice about doing this again. I will have a conversation with him and the service manager. Lets see how he likes being raked over the coals.
The latest round of stupidity comes from none other than Koons Honda of Manassas Va. We dropped off our 2008 Accord due to what sounded like two rabid cats mating inside a metal can. (it's the best analogy I can think of so bear with me) I dutifully
generate the appointment via their website and arrive at the predetermined time. The Service Advisor, (name removed) greets me or whatever you wish to call it and I begin my condensed diatribe regarding our injured vehicle.
I explain to him the front end vibrates at high frequency when applying the brakes. This occurs only when they are up to operating temperature. I also tell him the rear brakes are likely worn since it sounds like they are hitting the wear indicators. (refer to rabid cat reference above) I also explain one of the rear speakers vibrates badly at an undetermined low frequency.
I hand over the keys and off I go.
::Cut to 10 AM yesterday morning::
I receive a call from (name removed) telling me what I need. This is a summary of what he said for the sake of brevity.
He explains my front tires are likely out of balance, (BS) which is causing the vibration. Nevermind the fact the vibration is not speed induced but rather....you know what I mean. He also states the rear brakes, specifically, the inboard pad on the left side is down to the wear indicator. Ok, dragging caliper or defective parking brake, take your pick. Honda actuates their parking brake not with the tried and true method of wee little shoes inside the rear rotor. Rather, they use a mechanical linkage to the actual caliper. Again, ONE pad out of four is worn below specifications which means the caliper is dragging on the left side.
(A side note about my background. I have applied a wrench to most everything that has wheels on it save 18 wheelers. I have taken engines that were torn down to a bare block dumped in the rear hatch and re-assembled them. I know how cars work, I understand how ancillary components function and I damn sure understand the theory and operation of automobiles.)
Back to the story....
The "advisor" informs me it must have been our fault and we left the parking brake partially engaged. Again, BS, since there are visual and auditory indicators. We went around and around and I finally told him for the billionth time I was not going to pay for this even though the warranty for normally replaceable items is 12 months/12,000 miles a non replaceable part caused the failure.
It gets better...really...
The "advisor" explains the vibrating speaker issue to me and states it was due to the vibration in the front end. Wait, you mean to tell me the vibration in the front end transmits to the speakers even when stopped with the engine off? Brilliant! He's so bloody full of BS his eyes are brown.
The next go-round was the front end vibration upon applying the brakes. This indicates warped front rotors. He explains yet again this is due to incorrect tire pressures and tires that are out of balance. Can you say BS? I sure can and I called him on it again.
wait, it gets better again...
I told him under no circumstances would I be paying for these repairs since the defective, covered parts induced failure in the non-covered parts. He refused to budge so I told him to stop work and get my car out of there.
::Cut to 5:30 PM:::
We arrive at the Stealership armed with information and secure in the knowledge I really want a death cage match with this liar. I can feel the adrenalin flowing. I check out from the cashier with a $0 balance and ask to the see the Service manager. He arrives shortly thereafter and I begin to explain my side of the story. He agrees the issue with the rear brakes must be due to a dragging caliper and after I tell him I am taking it to Pohanka Honda in Fredericksburg he offers to put me in a free rental and they would take care of the problems. He restored my faith in people and this entire sordid process if for only a day or two. He did the right thing by mitigating a rapidly deteriorating situation. He kept me from having to wait in another dealer's lounge for the better part of a day banging away at my laptop trying to do some work. However, (isn't there always a however?) I shouldn't have to go to this length to get acceptable customer service. I shouldn't have to be on my toes and look for lies within the advisor's words.
It all boils down to the advisor not betting on having a customer who is knowledgeable in how this process works and they prey upon the weak and ill informed.
The real fun will begin when work is complete on my car and I have a chance to confront the advisor. I can assure you he won't like what I have to say and I will make it my mission to see he thinks twice about doing this again. I will have a conversation with him and the service manager. Lets see how he likes being raked over the coals.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Wow, I did it.
Don't cry for me Argentina... I've been using this Internet thingy for, oh, 15 years now and finally decided to get off my lazy ass and create a (drum roll please...) blog. Whoopee for me.
Ok, thats out of the way and it's time to move on to bigger and more important issues.
Whats on my mind you ask?
My sister.
She has her own blog she's been posting to for some time now and she's dealing with the dreaded "C" word. Thats right, Cancer of the breast variety.
We've been at odds over many things in our lives, particularly her view of the world and we haven't always communicated with each other in a exemplary manner and frankly sometimes we really thought we meant it. In reality I love my sister. She's the only one I have but faced with the spectre of losing a part of her body to cancer it changes one's perspective yet again and it's scaring the hell out of her.
I'm cutting this short due to pressing work related issues. I'll delve into the finer points, should I have any, in furture ramblings. She'll be fine. She'll survive this. She'll live long and prosper. She'll be a better person for it as well.
to be continued....
Ok, thats out of the way and it's time to move on to bigger and more important issues.
Whats on my mind you ask?
My sister.
She has her own blog she's been posting to for some time now and she's dealing with the dreaded "C" word. Thats right, Cancer of the breast variety.
We've been at odds over many things in our lives, particularly her view of the world and we haven't always communicated with each other in a exemplary manner and frankly sometimes we really thought we meant it. In reality I love my sister. She's the only one I have but faced with the spectre of losing a part of her body to cancer it changes one's perspective yet again and it's scaring the hell out of her.
I'm cutting this short due to pressing work related issues. I'll delve into the finer points, should I have any, in furture ramblings. She'll be fine. She'll survive this. She'll live long and prosper. She'll be a better person for it as well.
to be continued....
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