Entertainment Stand

We are finally making progress on some longstanding projects, including finishing our new entertainment stand.

While the woodworking was relatively simple, getting ready to start was rather time consuming: align saw trunnion to miter tracks, align fence to miter tracks, mill new zero clearance inserts, build two new crosscut sleds and set them to precisely 90 degrees. While everything is set up, I am rolling straight into building a pair of night stands and a headboard.

Mt Si

With beautiful weather in the cascades, we have been hitting the trails, with our most recent outing a brisk hike up the 3,150′ elevation gain of the Mt. Si trail followed by a scramble to the top of the haystack to admire the views.

Lufthansa – Coming Up With a Bizarre Way to Needlessly Piss Off Their Best Customers

I am well aware the situation I am about to recount is distinctly a first world problem, and I don’t expect any sympathy. What I am hoping for is a bit of chuckling at Mr. Franz and Lufthansa customer service.

On my 5th business trip through Munich in 6 months, I stopped by the Lufthansa Senator’s Lounge and handed the receptionist my boarding pass for my next flight. She responded that she needed to see my gold card, or I wouldn’t be allowed to enter. I politely pointed out that my Star Alliance Gold status was printed on my boarding pass and the she could also no doubt see it on the computer screen that she was looking at. She agreed, but insisted that she needed to see my card. I explained that I didn’t have it with me, as I hadn’t needed it the previous 8 times that I was there. She then explained that they check the gold cards every April and May and again asked to see my card. I again explained that I didn’t have it with me, and she again stated that I would have to show her my card or I couldn’t enter. I wondered if I was missing something obvious, as I had been traveling for the preceding 15 hours, but even after a few weeks to reflect, I don’t believe that I was. Realizing that Germany is notorious for following rules, and that it certainly wasn’t her rule, I headed off to the regular lounge, as did a steady stream of disgruntled customers. Of course on my return trip a few weeks later, I showed the receptionist my boarding pass and was politely waved into the lounge with no mention of my card.

So, Mr. Christoph Franz, where did the silly rule come from, and what is so important about seeing a card that doesn’t even have a photo or signature on it?