Just use leaches. They require less jet fuel.

I'm being exploited.

I'm being used up.

I sit plunking out this entry from an ancient hotel computer in New Orleans, anticipating a 4:10 am wake up call followed by another day of unproductive shuttling between airports, when I should be addressing bridal shower invitations and dress shopping.

I wouldn't even mind working, if I was getting paid for it.

But instead, I was dead-headed to Houston where I sat for two and a half hours so I could work a 47 minute flight to New Orleans, get minimum crew rest and then do the whole thing in reverse ridiculously early tomorrow morning.

Grand total for this 24 hour ordeal? Two hours and twenty eight minutes of paid flight time.

The final insult? Three and a half hours on a full 737, in uniform, in a middle seat.