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Cool as McCumber
Finding Your DirectionsThe Latest from SIW
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By John McCumber
Security Technology & Design
It was dark, rainy and cold. I was driving a rental car from the airport to the hotel. My meetings were to begin first thing in the morning; however, before I could contemplate my wake-up call, I had to find the hotel. This rental car had no GPS locator, and the map and directions I had received from the rental car agency proved sadly inadequate. Given the demanding driving conditions, I opted to use my headset to call the hotel for a quick update. Here’s how the conversation went:
Hotel: May I help you?
Me: Yes. I am on Interstate 95 on the way to your hotel from the airport. Which exit should I take?
Hotel: Sorry, I’m the operator. Let me put you through to the front desk. Bzzzzztt, click…Hello, front desk, this is Sally.
Me: Hello, Sally. I have a room reservation with you tonight. I am driving in from the airport on I-95. How do I find your hotel?
Sally: We are just two blocks from the Municipal Auditorium, sir.
Me: The what?
Sally: The Municipal Auditorium, sir. If you see a sign for that, we are just two blocks away.
Me: I don’t know where the Municipal Auditorium is located in your city. It’s probably because I don’t live here. The fact I don’t live here is actually what prompted me to make a reservation at your hotel. If I knew where the Municipal Auditorium was located, I would probably just drive back to my house. Since I am not from here, could you please give me some quick directions?
Sally: I’ll have to get someone else to help you, sir. I’m not from here and don’t know the way. Bzzzzt, click….Hello, bell stand. May I help you?
