December 2009

Escape with Flair

I had parked all day in a parking garage in downtown Cincinnati. After paying at the booth, the attendant could not get the gate to open, no matter what she did (presumably it had worked fine all day up until then). It was evening rush hour, so cars began to stack up behind. After making a frantic phone call, she told me she would have to switch to another exit booth. Imagine her having to go to each car, getting everyone to back up. Then taking the money out of the cash register and switching to the other booth, which also did not work! Then back to the first booth, all the while more cars backing up.

This went on for 25 minutes; tempers were starting to flare. She went to the gate and tried to break it, then asked me to help her break it; another driver also tried to no avail. Then I looked at the gate; there were four bolts holding it on, so I said "Stop, I can take it apart."

I had only my Flair with me (which I usually reserve for picnics and parties), but I was able to get three out, allowing the gate to rotate up. As I drove off, the exasperated attendant was holding up the gate so the other cars could get out. I don't know if she was able to collect from them or not!

Martin P.
Naples, FL