This job is a trip

While Tom Jones is on vacation, we've asked our beat writers to help fill the void. They will offer a taste of a reporter's life on the road. Today it's Lightning writer Damian Cristodero.

By Damian Cristodero
Published August 3, 2007

Here is something you never want to hear while in an airplane: the pilot announcing a quick landing is necessary because fuel is running low.

But that is what those of us on the Lightning's team plane heard the evening of Oct. 14, 2001, as Tampa Bay flew after a night game in Anaheim, Calif., to Colorado for a game two days later.

A massive wind storm in Denver and wind shear above the airport was the problem. So the plane, climbing, diving and shaking, safely diverted to Colorado Springs, but not before some prayers were said and at least one player or coach screamed in terror.

It was a rare treat for me to fly with the Lightning during the middle of a trip. Usually after road games I work in the press box while the team gets out of town. That means an early flight for me the next day to catch the team in the next city.

But because of the three-hour West Coast time difference, my deadlines passed soon after the game with the Ducks ended, and the team let me hitch a ride to Colorado, where it would face the Avalanche.

Trouble began as we approached Denver's airport. The plane began to buffet. Wind shear, the pilot said, which quickly turned into wind fear.

The plane shook and dipped. Passengers clawed fingers into arm rests.

The pilot said we would circle until the wind shear subsided. But after an extended period he announced we were going to "go for it."

The wind would have none of it and it slapped the plane down so hard and fast, the pilot had to pull into a space shuttle-like ascent. G-forces pushed bodies into seats.

That was when someone screamed.

Our hearts hadn't yet restarted when the pilot said he could no longer circle because (are you kidding?) the plane was now low on fuel.

This pilot was not winning any points, and I can tell you I wasn't all that confident, given his performance so far, that we would make it the 70 miles to Colorado Springs.

But we landed safely, and just in time as it turned out because soon the wind storm from Denver hit Colorado Springs. It must have been hurricane force as the free-standing stairway we used to deplane was tossed into a wing, causing enough damage to a light and some metal that the craft no longer was airworthy.

That meant a bus ride the next day to Denver. A shuttle bus took us in groups of 10 to a hotel at the airport.

It was a short ride but then-associate coach Craig Ramsay was taking no chances. He walked.

Three best road cities

New York

You can't go 10 steps without passing a great place to eat, and taking the Long Island Railroad to my parents' house for an embarrassingly huge dinner isn't bad either.

Montreal

Forget Toronto. This, with the league's most passionate fans, is the real heart of hockey in Canada.

Vancouver

The view from your hotel window of snow-capped mountains reflecting off Coal Harbour is worth the trip.

Three worst road cities

Edmonton

Drab, dreary and cold.

Detroit

A moribund downtown except for the smoke-filled casinos.

Buffalo, N.Y.

See Edmonton

Best airport

Tampa International

Easy in and out, and your bags come relatively quickly.

Worst airport

Philadelphia International

Always seems as if only one runway is operational, and good luck getting your luggage.

Favorite sport to cover

NHL hockey

Favorite sport to watch

NHL hockey

One athlete you've never interviewed but want to

Eddie Giacomin

You have to be an old Rangers fan to understand.

Three favorite arenas

Bell Centre, Montreal

Crazy loud. Preseason games are sellouts, and it has a great view from a press box that overhangs the ice.

Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary

In the press box you actually feel the heat from the fire-breathing apparatus that hangs off the ceiling and is activated when the Flames score.

Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, N.Y.

The league's smallest arena puts you on top of the action and the low roof amplifies the noise from a usually rambunctious crowd.

Three least- favorite arenas

TD Banknorth Garden, Boston

The yellow and black seats are enough to make you nauseous.

Sommet Center, Nashville

Tell me how you forget to build a press box.

BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise

Too big, too few fans, everything is commercially sponsored (the constant PA announcements won't let you forget it) and, boy, is it cold inside.

Three favorite restaurants on the road

Gibby's, Montreal

In a refurbished stone stable that dates to the 1700s.

Ralph's Italian, Philadelphia

Bring along former Flyers goalie Bobby "The Chief" Taylor, now the Lightning's TV analyst, and they treat you like a king.

Denver ChopHouse

They roll you out the door.

Favorite event you've covered

The Lightning's run to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship.

Favorite people you've covered

Lou Piniella

The former Devil Rays manager had great stories, a terrific sense of humor and you never knew what he was going to say.

Tony Stewart

He can be snarky with reporters but seems to do it with a glint in his eye. The NASCAR racer gets it. The media is a necessary evil, and Stewart always has something interesting to say.

Micheal Barrow

The linebacker was one of the focal points of the great University of Miami teams of the early '90s. A ramrod on the field, he was open, funny and almost poetic in his comments during interviews.

[Last modified August 2, 2007, 21:45:54]