I've been very lucky in that I haven't had to fly out of Philadelphia lately. I'm much happier leaving from Baltimore or from Dulles. Well, my luck has run out. Today I'm doing a PHL to Detroit leg on Northworst. If that isn't depressing enough, I have a 12 hour flight in front of me after my 4 hour layover in motown. Not much to look forward to after having to pay the tolls on the PA turnpike and braving the "Surekill" expressway to get here. (Thank you Chuck for reminding me of that phrase)

The one pleasant thing (if anything can be considered pleasant after waking up at 4:00 AM on a Saturday) is that I'm flying out of terminal E at PHL. I'm usually stuck down in terminal A with those idiots at US "hope you get there" so this is a nice change. I got here two hours before the flight like I was suppossed to, but it wasn't necessary. This terminal isn't busy at this hour. I even had time to get some breakfast before my flight.

Southwest has more or less taken over this terminal. From what I can tell, it looks like Northworst only has two or three gates here and not much else. It is very nice to see them losing their market share.

The Philadelphia fans are pumped up about the Phillies being in the World Series and there are markers of their success everywhere. The fairweather fans are being as obnoxious as they've been in previous years. I have divided feelings on this year's series. I've always been a National leaguer, so I guess I'll be cheering for Philly. The problem is that the BoSox are such a great comeback team and that stunt they pulled on Thursday night was fantastic. What's more, my man Jason Bay is with them now and I'd really like to see him end the season with a ring on his finger. (Heaven knows he wasn't gonna get it in Pittsburgh) I'll guess I'll have to wait and see which AL team makes it before I make my decision.

I'm off for Taiwan now. I'll write more later.