Do you remember the 1987 movie with John Candy and Steve Martin called Planes, Trains and Automobiles? Well, that could certainly be my last two weeks. I am probably misleading you by starting off this way, because the comedy of the film and the craziness of the movie did not happen, but the running around and the adventures that I had over the last two weeks certainly seemed as much of an adventure.

Let me start again. One of my favorite pastimes is watching movies from my childhood with my teenage daughter. Watching these movies with her, laughing at the same corny jokes and hijinks is truly a bonding experience. Planes, Trains and Automobiles has to be one of our favorite movies to watch together.

Over the last two weeks, I flew down to Dallas, Texas, for three days; took a train to New York for a quick client lunch; flew down to Miami, Florida, for a day; then drove up to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for another day and back down to Miami and flew back up to Pennsylvania. So, planes, trains and automobiles!

Now, let’s add another mode of transportation into the mix . . . well, sort of. While I was in Miami, we met with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and I took a tour at PortMiami as well. So if you have ever taken a cruise ship before, we were shown the port where the cruise ships dock in Miami, Florida. It was a behind-the-scenes look at where the ships set sail. This was a Tuesday in August, when there are no ships in port, so there was no activity going on, allowing the PortMiami team to show my colleague and I around. It was actually fun walking through the different terminals from Virgin Voyages to Norwegian and even the cargo ports. We walked through their VIP lounges to their security areas.

We also met with the Sixt Rent-a-Car company, whose corporate office is based in Fort Lauderdale. We took a quick tour of its facility there and met with Tom Kennedy, president, and his team. Tom had recently returned from Hawaii, where he was checking in on his team there. He filled us in on the devastation that has gone on there, what they are doing to help the community there, and the work that needs to be done. On a lighter note, we saw their training facility and their break room as well.

While I was in Dallas, Texas, I went to Southwest Airlines corporate headquarters at Love Field. They were showing off their newly designed seats and some of the new snacks they will be giving out on their flights. We also saw the progression of their flight attendant uniforms over the years. We also went to a Delta party and a smaller party for National Car Rental as well, not to mention we had our own Trazee Awards party, head at the Aloft in Dallas. That was so much fun in itself! More about that another time . . . !

— Eli R. Shapiro, director of sales