The Director and Teacher Flyi to DC

It's getting warmer...

Tuesday

Another busy day, assembled the SWAT team to build our field market
launch plan. I've taken over the conference room as our war room.
Continued getting the team set-up, short computers and phones. Had 4
people start this week. This is what you call quick growth.

Received a wonderful card from Carol. It was so comforting and
reassuring. The countless emails/mail I receive has been invaluable
during this transition. It means more than words could ever convey.

It was a long day, left the office at 8. Weather was absolutely
beautiful, almost 90 today.

Challenge and change...

Week Two
Monday

I didn't sleep very much last night. I arrived charged and ready to
implement my plan. I realized that this would be a defining moment and
that I needed to implement a leadership plan and structure within the
organization. After all this is my role as the leader in the
organization.

Over the weekend, I had several calls with Jeffrey, Grant, Carol, mom
and stepmom. Collectively everyone said all the right things and
provided comfort, reassurance and peace.

It's been a trying week, new environment, living out of hotels, hotels
being sold out, traffic, etc. All things quite a bit different than the
confines of familiar Seattle.

First thing Monday morning I had a team meeting and reviewed
roles/responsibilities. It was a long meeting, but I used the agenda
and kept everyone on task. One of the challenges is that the team lacks
experience, however they have a can-do attitude. I'd take attitude over
experience any day. One of my key objectives of the meeting was to
establish structure and define key roles for each team member. The
meeting was a success, still work to do, but it's a good start towards
establishing an efficient system.

I also talked with Steve P. Very productive conversation and discussed
the various things that I would like to have him focus on and the
resources that are needed. He's got the can-do spirit.

Last on the agenda was to talk with Celia. I'd give myself a 90% on
this one. I stated the challenge and then provided a solution. In our
discussions I mentioned that I had a team meeting and outlined
everyone's roles. I also talked about my organization and that I felt I
only needed two managers instead of three. She said the company would
love me. I left feeling better, I really like Celia and most important
she listened. She is fighting a terrible cold.

Left feeling better and ready to start the week ahead.

I was so busy laying the foundation I didn't get to talk with Jeffrey at
all during the day. While we didn't speak, he was right there behind
me. I enjoyed sharing my day with him, I know it made him feel better.

One week down..

Day 6

Friday, end of the week. On the way to work, Celia calls and asks me to go to FlyI experience. Flyi is the employee launch event. What an incredible experience. The passion is incredible. Everyone is so excited about the war with United that lies ahead.

Highlights included a senior management presentation that charged all the employees, got everyone really excited.

A visitor...

Day 5

Thursday, most memorable part of the day. Was Jeffrey’s surprise call at 7:30, this is 4:30 his time. He called to wish me a great day while on a quick bathroom break. Big mistake, I WANT TO COME HOME! Not what he wanted to hear. We talked through it and he remained calm, collected and just listened. I know this is hard on me, but man what it must be like on him. I think it must be harder. It’s not helping that my mind is racing and I’m not getting a lot of sleep. We talked several times throughout the day-it means so much and keeps me going!

Today, I had a surprise visitor. Jurian one of my good friends from Seattle flew in to scope out the area and look for a job with the new airline. I think this was a blessing in disguise. Having a familiar face is something that helps when I’m feeling so far away.

What's Easier?

Day 4

It’s the half-way point, mid-week. Today is the day I finally ask, “What have I done?”. It’s hard because as much as I want to make it work, I am thinking it might be easier to return to Seattle and Jeffrey. We have so many goals, dreams and have worked so hard to achieve what we have. I feel an incredible sense of accountability for our life. It’s a terrible feeling to think you are putting someone you love at risk. He continues like always to be supportive.

Today’s it’s my first director’s meeting. Celia introduces me to the entire senior management team. I really enjoy Celia, she’s very relaxed, despite all the activities and deadlines going on.

flowers from great fans...

Day Three

The traffic continues to amaze me. It took almost 40 minutes to get to work this morning. Arrived at the office, what a day today is going to be. Busy in meetings all morning long. While in meetings, a botanical garden arrived at the office. I received three beautiful arrangements. A beautiful, classic arrangement from my partner, a lush plant from the Riley’s – this is symbolic in that it typifies the journey ahead, it’s a living testimony to the journey that’s just begun, the third arrangement was a beautiful display of flowers/roses from Dad & Kathy.

I continue to miss Jeffrey very much. We talked several times throughout the day. I kept him apprised of the many great things that are happening as we prepare to start the airline.

We had our marketing team lunch meeting. It’s a big group, we filled the executive conference room. I laid out my vision and plans for the market development group. We’re still all getting to know each other. This is going to be fun.

Dinner tonight in Reston with Celia, her husband Morton and Steve P. Steve is assisting us with events/sponsorships.

first day of happiness...

Day 2

First day on the job!  I got up and left for work to attend orientation.  Orientation started at 8:30, I was a tad late due to traffic.  It actually took me 40 minutes to go 10 miles.  I couldn’t believe it!  I arrived at the training center and made my way into the orientation.  Definitely feeling the pressure of having lots to do.  I left training at 11:30 and made my way over to the headquarters building. 

I must admit, reality is setting in.  Today, I was very homesick.  I called Jeffrey and could barely speak.  I had a long hard cry.  He was so strong, just want I need at this moment.  I felt so alone and it was so good talk with him.  I miss him so much, more than ever.  He is my ROCK!

I saw both Eric and Celia.  While I am sad, it is good to me here. 

It's early and Drew's leaving...

Day 1
Off to Washington!

My flight left from Seattle at 6:30 this morning as I headed off to embark on this new adventure in Washington.  I’m off to join Independence Air, to lead the development of the largest low-fare carrier in the United States.  In just three short months we will transition and launch 87 jets into the air.  Overnight we will become larger than JetBlue.  Wow, what an exciting opportunity.

Even though I was excited, I almost lost it at the airport as I said good-bye to partner and confidant, Jeffrey.  Somehow this was different than taking a routine-business trip.  While we’ve been apart before, his strength, encouragement and being next to me are more valuable than ever.

I’m flying Frontier today, it’s an uneventful flight with a connection in Denver.  I arrived in Washington on-time, it was quite humid.  After picking up the rent-a-car, I headed to my hotel.  I ended up south of the airport in a town called Centreville.  It’s suburban Virginia.  I ended up getting to bed-early and slept several hours.