Wow.
I’ve traveled and flown A LOT for nightclub events. A lot. Nothing (in my own travels) can top my airport adventures from one week ago.
It all started on Friday night just as I was starting my set at Indigo in State College, PA. I received a text from DJ Kor telling me my flight out of the State College, PA airport was cancelled (snow was forecasted for Saturday)… it was early in my set so the first hour or so at Indigo I spent texting Kor and calling Delta trying to re-arrange flights so I could make my show for the Big Soo Bar Card at the Vault in Sioux Falls, SD. After many calls and attempts the hero ended up being Kor’s girlfriend Amelia who booked me on a 9:30AM flight out of Harrisburg, PA (instead of University Park Airport). Normally the Harrisburg drive wouldn’t be so bad, it’s only about an hour outside of State College.
Fast forward to 2AM when I walk out of Indigo… THE SNOW IS INSANE. There’s already about four inches on the ground and there’s NO SIGN of it slowing down… TOTAL WHITEOUT!
If anyone knows the trip (Route 322) from State College to Harrisburg it’s 100% downhill. I’m a good driver in the snow, but if the short drive from the club to my house was THAT snowy and rough, I knew that the trip to Harrisburg would be rougher. I got home from Indigo at around 2:30 literally threw a bunch of random clothes in my suitcase and passed out for two hours, hitting the highway to Harrisburg a little after 4:30AM.
That proved to be smart… the highway hadn’t yet seen a plow truck. Visibility was zero. I drove 30 MPH the entire ride which took me OVER THREE AND A HALF HOURS!
I arrived at the airport just before 8:30 which was perfect timing for my 9:30 flight which ended up boarding just before 10. Slightly delayed, but no big deal, right. WRONG. The plane apparently needed to be de-iced which Delta decided would be wise to do while everyone was boarded. Guess what has to be done when planes are being de-iced? The engine needs to be off, it was freezing! The funny thing is that I was so exhausted I slept the entire time the plane was being de-iced, which took about an hour and a half.
Next stop was Detroit Metropolitan (DTW). Before I even stepped off the plane I had a gut feeling that I was going to miss my connecting flight to Omaha, NE (Kor decided to fly me in there originally since it was close to Sioux Falls and a much less expensive option) – Strangely though, I DIDN’T miss my connection – THE FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED!
I called Kor and we strategized our next step. It was still before noon and with DTW being such a major airport we figured SOMETHING had to work – or maybe not?!
My first call to Delta was unsuccessful. (Yes, you still have to call Delta from the airport, they have no on site customer service) The soonest the could get me on a flight was arriving in Omaha at 9:30PM. After many calls and much waiting on hold we actually ended up having success by tweeting @DeltaAssist — yes, TWEETING got me a flight into Sioux Falls at 7:00PM! Props to Delta for providing this service!
With a few hours to spare in between flights I organized Serato, made a few edits and prepped my set for the night. I made it to Sioux Falls on time with only one issue — NO LUGGAGE! Understandable since I had to re-route my flights. We stopped at the Sioux Falls mall and I grabbed a shirt, underwear, a razor, deodorant and a toothbrush to hold me over until I got my luggage.
After showering and cleaning up I hit the Vault in style with Kor’s girlfriend Amelia in the Big Soo Limo. Jumped on the set just before midnight and rocked the house until 2AM and got a little (ok, a lot) tipsy in the process. I had a blast at The Vault and look forward to returning soon. You might not expect South Dakota to have a world-class, well managed, spotless club but The Vault is just that… and I’m not just kissing ass because I developed a little crush on their GM, I promise.
Check out the video recap from The Vault:
The rest of the week I spent doing lots of business stuff with my partner in crime DJ Kor (you’ll find out more about that soon enough) and last but not least… rocking a private impromptu college/birthday party in Omaha, NE for DJ JAB which was a total blast. Three DJs… multiple turntable sets… lots of shitty Bud Light.. sounds like a good time, right?
The trip was a great getaway and I have a new respect for South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. So much great food and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a little bar called Monks House of Ale Repute. If you know me then you know that I am a beer snob to an infinite degree. Monk’s was an amazing place with a great vibe and if I lived in Sioux Falls I’d be there every night (I was there every night I visited). Shout out to the two bartenders from Monks that I had some great chats with!
Before I sign off I’d like to also thank the Vault Vixens – Laura, Brittany & Maria for shaking their booties and making me feel at home! Joe and the Big Soo Bar Card crew for bringing me in, and of course the Vaults GM Kacie! Last but not least thank you Jeff and Amelia for the good times!
