Greetings from Gate B-8
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 25, 2008 
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Barely awake here at O’Hare but famed WFAN reporter Sweeny Murti (or “Sweeney Murdy” as he is known in this book) got my attention and pointed out that Mike Ditka was standing a few feet away from us.
Seeing Ditka in Chicago is like seeing Springsteen in Asbury Park or Derek Jeter in Times Square. Everybody was excited.
Ditka stopped near our gate to tie his shoes after going through security. Security must be pretty tight here if they even make Ditka take his shoes off. Obviously if the terrorists strike again, it will be because they recruited colorful former NFL coaches. Ditka, Bill Parcells, you can’t be too careful.
Meanwhile, I just spent $143.51 on a hotel near the airport. I checked in at 1:15 a.m. and checked out at 5:58 a.m. I think I slept at some point but I’m not sure.
What do you figure the profit margin must be for hotel airports? I was there for four hours and 43 minutes and spent nearly $150. The day is coming when I just go to the airport and sleep in a chair.
wow what a game last night you guys must be dragging today this has been the craziest start to a season that i can remember. Man i can’t wait for the boys to get some home cooking atleast there bats seem to be waking up. 11 2 out hits was a very welcome stat to see.
again, not many people care about springsteen. poor choice to use for comparisson.
You are tired Pete. A few Week from you. Seriously get to Cleveland and get some sleep!!
You don’t get reimbursed for travel expenses?
Unless you had a few cocktails in the lounge before bed, ordered room service or hit the mini bar, you actually hurt an airport hotels profit margin by only being there 5 hours.
I know Ditka can be tough, but did you really need to stand a few WEEKs from him?
You need to use priceline.com for those airport hotels. It’ll cost you like $55 or so.
Mike – I would bet that a lot more people worldwide know and care about Bruce compared to Mike “Juice-box Boy” Ditka.
lol jen, my thoughts exactly
If it were a fight between Ditka and all the terrorists, I’d go with Ditka.
Ditka!
Maybe drive from Chicago to Cleveland? Only 5.5 hours
“The day is coming when I just go to the airport and sleep in a chair.”
.
don’t EVER do that, Pete….was forced into that once at the St. Louis airport…..NOT a good idea, friend !
4-5 hours? Sleep at the airport.
JB – Ditka or “Mini” Ditka?
OK, gentlemen:
Ditka vs. God in a golf match?
Anyone who comments on typos on the blog should be banned. Please…
“There’s a good reason for that, according to PKF figures for last year, which show that all-suites hotels had a 32.9 percent profit margin, compared with 27.5 percent for the industry as a whole.”
Source:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/f.....wanted=all
“Thayer says airport hotels usually have higher profit margins than nonairport properties, as they offer fewer services, need less staff, and have less overhead.”
“According to Henderson (Tenn.)-based Smith Travel Research, the 2007 average daily rate for an airport hotel was $99.67 (up from $93.76 in 2006). The field is also looking very competitive. The Washington (D.C.)-based American Hotel & Lodging Assn. says as of 2006, there were 1,957 airport properties in the U.S. with a total of 275,123 rooms.”
Source:
http://www.businessweek.com/li.....059462.htm