PIT SYR EUG - The Pittsburgh Part

My view out the window of the downtown Marriott in Pittsburgh, PA revealed the sign "Van Halen rescheduled to April 30 from my arrival, March 31". This is also the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and other teams I'm sure.

As a business traveler, there is nothing more desolate than being the last flight to go out of an airport at night, such as my experience this week in Pittsburgh, PA. Arriving at the airport at about 5pm, with a plane departure bumped from Pittsburgh to Syracuse from 8:05pm to 9:15pm, I called my worldwide traveler partner and expert, Kimberly, to inquire "what's the best hint for passing time in Pittsburgh airport". Alas, she had great hints for Tampa and Detroit delays, but had not had the recent forture to hang in Pittsburgh.

My discovery - The Hyatt. Connected via long series of moving sidewalks, The Hyatt is an exceptional travelers hangout. I approached the front desk and said "someone at the airport said there was a Starbucks here. Where is it?" The front desk said "we brew Starbucks coffee here, but no retail outlet". Ok. I walk around, scoping the place out. I wonder into the conference room area, pick up a "free" bottle of water and some Lemonhead candies for the Tobacco company conference in play. (I'm sure others have permanently borrowed water from my company's conferences, right?) http://pittsburghairport.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

I walk back to the front desk, and ask the nice lady, "How much would it cost for me to use your fitness center for an hour or so?". She promptly offers "here, just let me get you a room key - have fun" :) WOW, that rocks! I went up, changed clothes, used the treadmill for 50 minutes, did some streching, changed clothes and went down to Olives, the restaurant/bar. There I have a nice glass of wine, ordered the most fabulous crab cake appetizer that was seriously 2 inches thick, and a to die for spinach/parmesean cake salad. I used the free wifi to work, and at 8pm wandered back to the airport.

At this point, upon arrival at my gate for my 9:15pm departure, the "sign" moved to 10:40pm departure.........As I sit and write the blog since I have so much time, the departure is yet delayed again, but I've been assured "this flight is going". Looks like a 1am arrival night :) By the way, did I mention that all the airport stores (tax free shopping on clothes in Pittsburgh CLOSE at 8:30pm? Did I mention that? All 120 stores -closed.)