Airport Minute Podcast

Chris Epting is the author of 26 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press), Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill), Hello It’s Me, Dispatches From a Pop Culture Junkie (Santa Monica Press) and many others. He is also an award-winning travel writer and has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Lesiure magazine, among other publications. In addition, Chris is a veteran music journalist and recently co-wrote Def Leppard’s Phil Collen’s memoir, “Adrenalized.” Originally from New York, Chris now lives in Huntington Beach, California with his wife and their two children.

Inez is trying to find out if her husband is aboard Flight Two. The gate agent isn’t cooperating, because it’s against the rules.

“He hasn’t been well lately, ” says Inez. “I just wanted — to make sure he got on board safely.” She smiles at the gate agent. “His name’s D. O. Guerrero.”

The gate agent looks at the ramp supervisor, who says “Alright.”

The gate agent looks down the passenger manifest. “Yes,” he says, “he’s aboard.” The agent and the supervisor go back to counting tickets.

Inez is shocked. She walks blindly towards the windows facing the runway.  Flight Two is receding in the distance along the taxiway. Inez watches, and leans her head against the frame of the window, before turning away.

In this minute

Maureen Stapleton as Inez Guerrero

Chris Epting is the author of 26 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press), Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill), Hello It’s Me, Dispatches From a Pop Culture Junkie (Santa Monica Press) and many others. He is also an award-winning travel writer and has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Lesiure magazine, among other publications. In addition, Chris is a veteran music journalist and recently co-wrote Def Leppard’s Phil Collen’s memoir, “Adrenalized.” Originally from New York, Chris now lives in Huntington Beach, California with his wife and their two children.

One of the ground operations crew radios Flight Two. “Clear to start Two,” he says.

Anson picks up his microphone. “Turning Two,” he says. Vern presses the Ground Start on the overhead panel for Engine Two.

Outside, Engine Two spins up.

Anson radios the ground crew, “Okay to start One?”

Meanwhile, Inez is at the far end of a very long terminal corridor. She’s running toward Gate 33.

Back at Flight Two, one of the air marshallers is signaling the 707 to turn right, away from the gate.

Inez is still running down the corridor. She turns a corner and arrives at a now-empty Gate 33. The gate agent and the ramp supervisor are counting tickets. Another gate agent is changing the departure sign.

Inez composes herself for a moment, and walks up to the counter.

“Excuse me, please, ” says Inez. “I’d like to find out if — my husband’s on that flight that just left. I -”

“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” says the gate agent, “I’m not allowed to give that information.”

“Well,” says Inez, “it’s just-”

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

Chris Epting is the author of 26 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press), Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill), Hello It’s Me, Dispatches From a Pop Culture Junkie (Santa Monica Press) and many others. He is also an award-winning travel writer and has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Lesiure magazine, among other publications. In addition, Chris is a veteran music journalist and recently co-wrote Def Leppard’s Phil Collen’s memoir, “Adrenalized.” Originally from New York, Chris now lives in Huntington Beach, California with his wife and their two children.

Vern tells the Ramp Supervisor the engines are running, burning fuel.

“Precious fuel we’ll need in the air tonight,” says Vern.

“I know, Captain,” says the Ramp Supervisor.

“Now,” says Vern, “Unless this plane leaves right now, I’m going to shut everything down, and we’ll send for Fueling to top off our tanks, so you make up your mind.”

“But it’ll only take another few minutes or so!” says the Ramp Supervisor.

“And I’ll tell you something else,” says Vern. “Tower just told us they have a temporary gap, so if we taxi out right away we can take off fast. But five minutes from now may mean a half-hour delay. So, you take the responsibility: what do we do?”

The Ramp Supervisor turns to Gwen, “Cancel the ticket re-check,” he says, and hands Gwen the flight manifest. He turns back to Vern. “Okay,” he says, “You’re leaving now.”

Meanwhile, Inez is running a gauntlet of slow-moving pedestrians in the terminal.

Back on Flight Two, Ruth is still working the ticket re-check. She’s at Row 23, and has just asked the man in 23-C for his ticket. Ada is hyper-focusing on her Vogue Magazine.  Just as Ruth is about to ask Ada for her ticket, she’s interrupted.

“Ruth,” says Gwen, “cancel the ticket check! We’re leaving.”

“Fine,” says Ruth, and walks toward the aft galley.  Ada returns to her magazine after breathing a quiet sigh.

Outside, one of the ground operations crew stands in front of the 707, keeping an eye on the Number Two engine.

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

British Actor/Comedian, Ethan McKinley, our first UK guest, is not just a Dyslexic, savant-genius. No! He’s also the Creator and Host of the Podcasts ‘QUESTIONABLE’ and ‘2 MINUTE TERMINATOR’!

First out of the ‘Minute Show’ gate after STAR WARS MINUTE, Ethan’s Terminator based minute show is now in its 5th season!

Along with his Co-Host, ‘Foul Mouthed Supermodel’ Ellie Fitzgerald, these guys are now dismantling the latest movie in the franchise, Terminator Genisys. The irreverent, funny take one the minute show format sets it apart from others in the ‘Minute’ show family and as it rolls past episode 300. There is much fun fun to be had with these guys. Heck, there’s even a YouTube, IN-VIDEO COMMENTARY version of every episode, every day as they talk over the 2 Minutes of Terminator in question (An exclusive, Minute Podcast fans!) Check ‘Em Out!

Ethan’s other show, ‘QUESTIONABLE’ sees Ethan talk to a wacky range of Celebrities, Authors and Porn Stars from around the world!!! It’s an eclectic mix, to be sure, but each show gives you a great look into the lives and work of pretty interesting folks!

When not podcasting, Ethan has worked extensively on UK television and film and in the new year, begins work on the the sequel to the 2014 film he appeared in, ‘ARTHUR & MERLIN: The Legend Begins, It’s ‘ARTHUR & MERLIN: Fire Of Balor’ is coming in 2017!!!

Ellie Fitzgerald is the Charming Co-Host of 2-MINUTE TERMINATOR. When not doing this, she is luxury party-planner with ’Cellar Society’ throwing parties for the rich and famous.

From movie premieres for Steven Spielberg to after parties for The Rolling Stones, Ellie has worked alongside these shining beacons of legend and popular culture, such as Madonna, Matt Damon, Idris Elba and Ewan McGregor to name but a few. Her podcast co-Host, Ethan hasn’t worked with any these actors…

“Imagine Martin Short from ‘Father Of The Bride’ with bigger boobs and you have Ellie!” — Ethan McKinley

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After sealing the aft door on Flight Two, Stewardess Ruth walks into the Tourist Galley.

Ada peeks out the lavatory doorway, and watches Ruth walk away to the forward end of the cabin. Ada nonchalantly grabs a copy of Vogue from the magazine rack, and walks up to Row 23.

“Twenty Three B?” Ada asks the man in 23-C.

“Oh, yes!” says 23-C. Ada steps over him and sits down, next to Guerrero in 23-A. Ada gets busy reading Vogue.

Meanwhile, Inez searches for the Trans Global ticket counter.

And also meanwhile, Tanya returns to the Passenger Relations office. As she opens the door, an embarrassed Peter Coakley is sitting in a chair in the middle of the office.

“What are you doing here?” asks Tanya.

“She got away,” says Peter.

“She what?” exclaims Tanya.

“Well,” says Peter, “What she did was – – see, we were sit- ”

“I don’t care how she got away,” says Tanya. “Get on that phone and call every airline and every gate. I’ll see if Security can round her up.”

In this minute

Helen Hayes as Ada Quonsett

Harry Standish and Tanya have joined Mel in the cafeteria. Harry is explaining about the man with the briefcase, and how smugglers are nervous  “when they land, not before they take off.”

“This guy was really shaking,” says Harry.

“Well,” says Mel, “If this guy is a smuggler, and a trembler, Italian Customs will nail him. Besides, there’s not much we can do about it at this end.”

“I don’t know,” says Harry, “I think somebody ought to.” Mel thinks for a moment, and looks at Tanya.

“Maybe you ought to tell your boss,” says Mel. “Just in case he might want to notify the captain.”

“I guess you’re right,” says Tanya, rolling up her napkin and putting it on the table. “Be right back.” Tanya leaves.

Meanwhile, Inez arrives at the main terminal entrance. She hurries inside, looking for the Trans Global ticket counter.

Back on Flight Two, Ada opens the lavatory door a crack to see if the coast is clear.

Stewardess Ruth is closing the aft door. Ada pulls the lavatory door closed.

The aft Jetway is being retracted. Ruth waves goodbye through the aft cabin door window. She walks over to the Tourist galley.

In this minute

Helen Hayes as Ada Quonsett

Ada is working the Wallet Trick with the gate agent in front of Flight Two.

“Blonde hair, no hat, camel’s hair coat…” says Ada, waving the wallet.

“I’m not allowed to accept a wallet with money,” says the gate agent. “See the stewardess, please.”

Tucking the wallet back into her handbag, Ada smiles,  peers down the Jetway, then heads toward the 707.

Through the beveled cabin glass, Ada looks for an empty seat. There’s several available nearby — the closest one is the middle seat in Row 23. She makes a mental note of it, and hides inside the starboard lavatory, closing the door behind her.

Meanwhile, Harry Standish and Tanya have joined Mel in the cafeteria. Harry is explaining about the man with the briefcase.

“But you see,” says Harry, “if someone is smuggling, they usually start to get -”

In this minute

Helen Hayes as Ada Quonsett

Tanya is looking over the manifest of Trans Global Flight Two at Gate 33. There are only two no-shows for the flight, in first class.

“They’re on their way,” says the gate agent. “They’ve been waiting in the Commanders’ Club.”

Meanwhile, Harry has been waiting by the Jetway for Tanya to finish so can go to dinner together. D.O. Guerrero nervously approaches, holding out his boarding pass. Harry waves him off.

“Oh no,” says Harry, “I’m just a visitor. I work downstairs.”

“Oh,” says Guerrero, “Sorry.” Harry watches Guerrero walk down the Jetway as Tanya returns.

“Ready?” asks Tanya.

“Say,” says Harry, “did you see that man with the attaché case, just now?”

Tanya looks down the Jetway at the retreating figure. “No,” says Tanya.

“Well,” says Harry, “If he were coming in from abroad instead of going out, I’d want to inspect it.”

“You think he’s smuggling?” asks Tanya, as they walk down the concourse.

“It was the way he held the case,” says Harry, “the look in his eye. He tried to hand me his…” Harry’s voice fades as they leave the frame.

Meanwhile, Ada is still hiding in the nearby phone booth. She sees an opportunity and reaches into her handbag.

At Gate 33, the two no-shows have arrived. The gate agent hands them boarding passes.

“Sorry about the delay, Mister Donovan,” says the gate agent, Mike.  Ada hurries up to the counter.

“Excuse me, young man,” says Ada, waving her wallet, “My son dropped his wallet. All his money’s in it!”

“Ma’am could you please -” begins the gate agent Mike.

“He just went on board!” says Ada.

In this minute

Helen Hayes as Ada Quonsett

Paul Francis Sullivan, a.k.a. “Sully,” is the creator and host of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast (SullyBaseball.com). Every single day since October 24, 2012, he posts an original episode of comedic yet passionate takes, analysis and observations of the game he loves.

Ada Quonsett, hiding in a phone booth across from Gate 33, watches the activity at the gate counter intently. Marcus Rathbone wanted a seat in the fourth row, but none are available.

“Well, I’m terribly sorry, sir,” says the gate agent, “but this is the best we can do.” He holds up a boarding pass to show Rathbone.

“Well, give it to me!” says Rathbone, snatching it away. Rathbone walks to the Jetway.

Tanya and Harry are walking Harry’s niece Judy Barton to the Jetway as well.

“Now, did you say this is some kind of exchange program?” asks Tanya.

“Yes,” says Judy, “You see, the Italian girl would be living with my folks, and I’ll be living with them.”

“Oh,” says Tanya, “Well, that should be quite an experience.” They walk down the Jetway with Judy.

Meanwhile, Guerrero hurries to a red and blue US mailbox. He takes a brief look at the letter:

Addressed to :

and then puts the letter in the mailbox. Guerrero walks briskly down a long concourse corridor.

Meanwhile, Inez is sitting in the back of a taxi. She leans toward the driver.

“I’m sorry,” says Inez. “Could you hurry, please?”

The taxi driver points out through the windshield, “There’s the terminal, lady! Over there. It’ll just be a couple of more minutes now.”

Back at Gate 33, Harry and Tanya walk up the Jetway after saying goodbye to Judy.

“Now,” says Harry, “how about letting me buy you a cup of coffee?”

“Good!” says Tan

Paul Francis Sullivan, a.k.a. “Sully,” is the creator and host of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast (SullyBaseball.com). Every single day since October 24, 2012, he posts an original episode of comedic yet passionate takes, analysis and observations of the game he loves.

D.O. Guerrero is buying flight insurance at Lincoln International Airport from Bunnie, the saleswoman at the insurance counter. Bunnie asks what the policy amount Guerrero is considering.

“$150,000,” says Guerrero.

“That’ll be five dollars,” says Bunnie, filling out the form. She points at a sheet on the counter. “But for $2.50 more, you could take out $225,000. It isn’t much extra for all that protection, is it?”

“No,” says Guerrero,”but I’m not sure if I have all that much left. American money – – I exchanged all my dollars to lire.”

“Oh,” says Bunnie, “we accept foreign currency! And we’ll give you the official exchange –”

“Well, I’ve got that all in big bills,” says Guerrero.

“Or,” offers Bunnie, “we’ll take a personal check, if you’d like.”

“No,” says Guerrero,”when I go to Europe, I always leave my checkbook at home. You know, the, — it’s too much of a temptation.”

Guerrero reaches into a pocket. “Oh, wait a minute,” says Guerrero, “I may have enough.” He spills some coins on the counter top.

“I didn’t mean to push you,” says Bunnie. “But we’re having a sales contest and I’ve got a chance for the prize. Well, every little bit helps!”

Guerrero stacks more coins on the counter. “Could you hurry that up, please?” asks Guerrero. “They’ve already called my flight.”

“Oh, it’s just the first call,” says Bunnie, “You still have time.” She scoops Guerrero’s coins into her hand. Guerrero looks around nervously as Bunnie continues to count the money.

The scene shifts to Gate 33, as passengers from the bus are