All my Florida friends need to take this one seriously. We all know what has been happening to predicted storm strengths as they come across the Gulf. The increase. What is now slated as a 2 could be a 4 or 5 if it stalls over the warm waters.
And….. on the bright side: our OLD house is directly in the path and it is no longer my problem.
My wallet was turned into the Denver police department. It had defiantly been gone through. I was told it was handed over in downtown Denver, about 20 miles away from the airport.
Still canceling all credit cards (that’s already done), some of my identification and licenses may are getting new numbers. But believe it or not the cash was still in the wallet (not that I carry more than five one dollar bills.
Sitting there in Charlotte today people watching while waiting for my flight.
A couple with young kid comes by and they are checking the stroller in with the gate agent. All of a sudden one of the kids takes off and runs down the jet way at the neighboring gate.
Gate agent says, “was that your son?” Mom gets all upset, gate agent says, “I’ll go get him.” Mom, is really worried. The dad looks at her and says to the gate agent, “hold on a minute. Let’s consider our options here.”
He got slapped, mom got kid back.
Christopher Molnar was traveling to Aurora, Colorado from Denvet International Airport.
Place: Aurora, Colorado (39.7071, -104.8223)
Address: Aurora, CO 80010
Place: Denvet International Airport (39.8625661948, -104.670693089)
Address: Denver, CO 80249
Headed home in a few hours. This has been the trip from “7734” (to decode this you have to hold your calculator with the above number upside down – and be old enough to remember how to send messages across a classroom using your calculator).
Let’s begin in Denver. Somehow my wallet disappeared between getting off the train and going up an escalator to check-in at the airport. It was crowded, was bumped into a few times, but also had a ripped back pocket on my jeans we didn’t notice. So, partially my fault, partially the fault of whomever has it and made away with it. Lost and found in all locations I passed through have tried to help with no luck.
So, checking baggage at the airline counter (AA) was no issue. In my backpack I had my very expired passport and I also have a digital copy of my Drivers License on my phones. TSA was another issue. I had to go through the “ID problem” lane in Denver and Charlotte. They say they accept digital ID through Apple Wallet, but for some reason it never works.
When you don’t have proper ID at TSA security they have to call a central background check line in DC. They verify against whatever ID you have available. In this case old passport, digital CO drivers’ license, and various addresses I gave them. Then they start asking you random questions that only you would know the answer to.
1) Who is the closest relative you have living with you?
2) What is their DOB?
3) How many dogs do you have?
4) What is the make and model of your car?
5) What is the make and model of the prior car?
6) Closest relative not living with you?
7) What city do they live in?
8) Where was your SSN issued?
9) What was the last book you read on Amazon Kindle?
10) When did you post last on FaceBook?
11) When do you last place a Domino’s order.
Seriously, it’s not the TSA, it’s the NSA. If you believe you have any privacy in this world, take the blinders off. I am surprised they didn’t ask me when the last time I pooped was.
After the TSA the grilling I got at the Hertz Rental car was a breeze. At least I am through security and on my way home (in a few hours).
Christopher Molnar was with Charles Lawrence and 2 others at Charlotte Douglas International Airport – CLT.
Place: Charlotte Douglas International Airport – CLT (35.223084216401, -80.939818034263)
Address: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
Place: Charlotte Douglas International Airport – CLT (35.223084216401, -80.939818034263)
Address: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
Hey everyone, do any of my greyhound adoption friends remember Julie who ran Circle of Friends greyhound adoption? I think she may have been in the storm area of the recent hurricane, and if I remember correctly her house was really near one of the rivers. Can someone do a check on her? We are no longer friends on FB.
Pro Tip: add your drivers license and other cards to your apple or Google wallet Before someone rips it off. TSA in many airports will accept the Apple Wallet version.
Has anyone here recently had a house painted? We are talking a vaulted ceiling living room, straight up stairwell, and upstairs hallway, no bedrooms to paint, and a family room (most of it is wood / brick so very little paint.
What do you you think a fair estimate would be? I have a quote and I am having sticker shock. I’ll share the numbers after I hear other people’s experience.
To all my friends going through hurricane recovery (and feel free to share with your neighbors), a few hints as you file your insurance claim on electrical or mechanical (HVAC) damage:
1) Don’t throw it out without a written release from your adjuster. Don’t just take a verbal release. In storms such as this adjusters move around frequently and you may have 5 or 6 before your done. Always: IN WRITING. Keep the stuff you save safe from further damage. Cover it, tarp it, keep it as dry as possible.
2) if urgent repairs need to be made, do not let the contractor remove anything from site. Keep all old parts at the location they were installed.
3) 3rd party inspections are part of standard procedure. Do not feel you are being “picked” on or “accused of wrong doing.” A good portion of the purpose of 3rd party inspections is to get information to properly price replacement and repairs.
4) Cooperate with inspection times. If you are the person demanding after 5pm or on a weekend, you are going to wait. Remember, your policies include language regarding inspection of damages during business hours with reasonable notice. Your insurance company can deny payment if you do not cooperate.
5) Save all receipts for immediate repairs.
6) and this should go without saying: Don’t try to include the washing machine that broke in 2000, the stereo that you had when you were 18., and the TV that is Analog that you have had in your attic since they did away with analog TV’s. You are just making it more difficult for all and delaying your progress.
7) If a contractor tells you, ‘it’s just really old, but since there was a hurricane (or CAT storm) nearby we can just replace it and the insurance company will pay”, find a new contractor. There is no such law or policy.
8. The inspectors and adjusters visiting you following the storm are on a tight schedule. Having to wait 30+ minutes to get home from the quick errand you had to run in your appointment time puts them behind. And, at the end of the day they will probably have to cancel their last appointment which hurts someone else. We cannot safely do our jobs in a storm area after dark. Too many nails, snakes, wires, to work safely. Please Please please be available during your scheduled time.
9. Remember, price gouging is illegal. Insurance companies do not pay “hurricane rates” to contractors, and neither should you.
These are just a few hints. And, because I have to say it: The above thoughts are my own from years of experience in disaster areas. These do not always represent the thoughts of my employer.