You know you’re back on the East Coast when …

After almost a week in sunny California you (that would be me) arrive late Sunday evening at Dulles (the nightmare) airport. The mobile lounges aren’t very mobile, but they are packed. The luggage did arrive, but only after a 50 minute (but who’s counting?) wait.

The cab driver suggested a different (longer) route to my house. Because of construction on the Capital Beltway. Quickly reverting to my East Coast suspicion mode, I vetoed his plan. The Commonwealth of Virginia, I reasoned, couldn’t be mean or stupid enough to channel the Inner Loop of the Beltway (going from Virginia to Maryland) into one lane. I was wrong.

They did. It took almost an hour from Dulles to the Potomac River. Meter ticking. It would have been much longer (and cost ’em more) had the cabbie not been good, and daring in his lane-changing abilities. Also, I learned a lot about Pakistan from whence he hailed.

Next day on the way to work, I was greeted by several drivers who, typically for a Monday, were in a hurry. As per usual, a number gave me the one-finger salute, which I assume means welcome home to D.C. I replied. A good time was had by all.

The breakfast stop at my local health food store (the Starbucks on Massachusetts Avenue) took less than 4 minutes. I had no change for the meter, but what could happen in a couple of minutes, right? Turns out there was sufficient time for somebody named Everett to give me a pink “D.C. Notice of Infraction” ticket for $25. Expired meter! He was correct, of course, but …

While it’s good to be home (I keep telling myself), California sure was fun. The occasion was the 2015 convention of the California State Federation of Chapters of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees. Big deal! For sure. Lots of really great, dedicated (and in many cases fun-loving) folks who have seen and done it all.

Folks came from all over the Golden State. Many of them had served in the Washington area (as well as Europe, Guam and most other places). Collectively and individually, they could write a book. Several in fact.

Two things struck me about the group.

• How dedicated they were and how proud they were of their service. Feds like them don’t say things like “I worked at” so and so. They say “I served.” At places like the FAA, or at Social Security, Defense, the IRS or Interior. And proudly. If there was any bellyaching or second- guessing, I didn’t hear it.
• How anxious they are to get “younger” feds, people who are still working, to join NARFE. They are anxious to pass the torch, but there needs to be somebody to pass it too.

At the convention, NARFE’s legislative department delivered chilling news about the proposed new budget that would whack both active-duty workers and retired feds. This is of the pay cut, benefits chopping variety. Heavy duty stuff. This is not what Congress (and the White House) might, maybe do, it is what they are planning (hoping) to do. If they can! More on that tomorrow.

For today, thanks to the NARFE folks for having me, and thanks (I think) to my fellow East Coasters for that warm back home welcome.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Michael O’Connell

The first traffic jam on the Washington Capital Beltway occurred within 5 minutes of its opening. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 17, 1964, a 2-mile long traffic jam formed at the New Hampshire Avenue interchange that took 20 minutes to clear.

Source: Washingtonian

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