For our US Automotive Day I flew to Detroit again! I really like Detroit, it’s way better than its reputation! We organized a day after the German Automotive Day example. Our Marketing Guru, Tom Hollowell, discovered a racing track. It offered a great conference place and a race track where we were driven around. No we were not allowed to take the wheel, unfortunately, but we were chauffeured by 2 professional racing drivers. It was pretty awesome. We had just enough rides for everybody. Luckily, not everybody had enough nerves to go in a fast car around the track. So I went twice… Loved it…
Rhapsody Units
There are still people asking what “Units” are in Rhapsody. And it is easy: it is the smallest “Unit” you can store in CM separately. Default units are:
Model
Package
Component
Units are easily ( if you have good eyes, that is… ) recognizable by the small icon decorator in the lower left corner. The decorator is either Grey (saved) or Red ( not saved). This indicates that Rhapsody will store that “unit” in a separate file. It allows it to be stored separately in a CM (That is mostly file-based). By right-clicking on a “non-Unit” element in Rhapsody, you can select “Create Unit.” This will give you the opportunity to store a Unit in its own file. The property General::Model::DiagramIsSavedUnit causes all diagrams to be saved in a separate file. In the same Subject::Metaclass, you can also find properties like BlockIsSavedUnit, ClassIsSavedUnit, and ComponentFileIsSavedUnit. There are also properties like ComponentIsSavedUnit (Default on), FileIsSavedUnit, and FolderIsSavedUnit. You will find ObjectIsSavedUnit and PackageIsSavedUnit (Default on) too. With these, you can control what is a Unit and what not.
The file extensions are: (add an “x” for the post 8.3 file format)
Element
Old < 8.3
New > 8.3
Model
.rpy
.rpyx
Package/Profile
.sbs
.sbsx
Component
.cmp
.cmpx
Object Model Diagram
.omd
.omdx
Sequence Diagram
.msc
.mscx
Use-Case Diagram
.ucd
.ucdx
Structure Diagram
.std
.stdx
Deployment Diagram
.dpd
.dpdx
Collaboration Diagram
.clb
.clbx
Panel Diagram
.pld
.pldx
Timing Diagram
.tmd
.tmdx
Class/Object
.cls
.clsx
Did I miss one??
???
???x
Ann Arbor
After the event I was invited by Tom and Carol to a dinner in Ann Arbor. A beautiful place, we drove around after dinner. (Thanks again! It was great!) Tom always posts sunsets on FaceBook… unbeatable.
Have fun modeling with Rhapsody
Walter van der Heiden ( walter@sodiuswillert.com )
So… you are a Rhapsody user. Always have been, always will be. Like me, I also have a love/hate relationship with it. More love but there are times when I think: “Rhapsody??? really???”
But suppose you work somewhere in a place where people want to force you to use MagicDraw (Cameo). Not a bad tool, definitely not, but no Rhapsody. Because in spite of all it’s peculiarities, it’s a brilliant tool. And then there’s Code Generation.
You protest is futile: You have no choice. You have to. But… What to do with all your old models? Make them again? Use XMI (Spoiler alert: doesn’t work very well)
That’s only one use-case for a product we call “Publisher.” A tool that can take Rhapsody Models and save them as perfect Cameo models. Or the other way around. Or from System Architect. Or RSA. Or even Enterprise Architect!
Another use-case is that the US Defense Ministry demands models to be in Cameo format. In that case, you want a converter that 1:1 copies your Rhapsody Project to Cameo. Or saves it as a Cameo Model.
Wait! There’s more: If you really like Cameo (and who doesn’t!) then you can use it for Systems ENgineering and then use the Rhapsody CG to do Software Engineering.
So as you will understand: SodiusWillert has that. A perfect way to save your valuable models in another format with the certainty that no information is lost in the process.
Vegas. Really??
Yep. It seems all large events are in Vegas nowadays. Also the Siemens Realize live I had to visit. My regular readers know how I think about Las Vegas, read this BLOG entry if you don’t.
But the Siemens conference was great, it was in the Mandalay Bay, which is a bit less bad IMHO. We had a booth there and it was quit successfull, I think. My personal highlight was the Keynote by Tony Hemmelgarn, CEO of Siemens DI SW. He spoke about the advantages of MBSE and mentioned Rhapsody in a very nice and loving way. I cannot remember an IBM event where I heard anybody speak in such a way about modeling (Except for me, of course! 😉 )
The best news was, however, that next years event will be in Detroit. And the European version in Amsterdam. Less travel. Also, only 6 hours of time difference and not 9. The latter is a real burden on the communication with home, there’s just not enough time overlap left. And the times that you are both awake, there is the fact that the times don’t sync. One always is doing something when the other has time to call and vice versa.
We spent some time walking around. I must confess that this “Sphere” was pretty impressive.
Back to the Publisher
First of all: here you can read all about it and… Try Before You Buy!
Convert systems models from IBM Rhapsody to Cameo Systems Modeler and Cameo MagicDraw with one click. Our Publisher for Rhapsody supports the conversion of modeling formats like SysML, UML, and UPDM and all model diagrams, elements, structure, and hierarchy. Convert large systems models fully automated with full support for diagrams, logging of model transformation action and configurable diagram layouts.
Save time manually cleaning up your target model by leveraging user-configurable settings and display styling in the conversion. Publisher for Rhapsody provides two configuration files that allow teams to control and consistently apply their defined methods and styling.
Publisher for Rhapsody implements model checking to identify, log, and report inconsistencies in the source model, then converts UML, UPDM, or SysML elements​ such as hierarchy, diagrams, and relationships to ensure 100% compatibility in Cameo Systems Modeler. For UPDM elements, it also converts Architecture Description, Packages, and Viewpoints.
The Publisher does the complete model. All model elements, also all diagrams! It keeps your diagrams in the same shape so you will recognize them in the blink of an eye! It even check-ups your models before converting them, we don’t want “garbage in, garbage out!”
Even roundtripping is supported. So if you want to exchange models that will be changed in oth tools: All possible!
That’s it for today. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions;
Since we are together with Sodius I have my regular visits to Nantes. Luckily! I really like Nantes and of course my collegues in Nantes. Always big fun and great to see beautiful Nantes.
Simulink
People still use Simulink; I’m always surprised that nobody objects to the fact that it generates code; people use it without thinking. When it’s Rhapsody, millions of objections pop up against Code Generation. Probably, it is because Simulink is used by all kinds of engineers and Rhapsody by Software Engineers who feel attacked in their honor by Rhapsody (That does an excellent job generating code,..)
Now, with the Automotive Extension, there is another way to integrate the two tools: ARXML. That’s a “lightweight” integration; it doesn’t add much. The real benefit comes from co-simulation, and that’s what Andy does in his video. AFAIK that still works (I do not own a Simulink license, I cannot try it)
Resources
Now, I could be explaining here how it works but other people have done that already, way better than I can.
Travel is entirely back now. COVID is over. Well, it’s still there, but nobody cares anymore. So after the worldwide TechXChange in @#$%^&* Las Vegas ( See “I hate Las Vegas“), it was now the European version held in Barcelona. I’ve been to Barcelona before (incidentally, that was where I got my own COVID infection…). I really like that city; it has beautiful architecture, a nice buzz, great food, and much, much more.
So I went to my second home (Schiphol Airport) by train, checked in, did the security check, and then went straight to the KLM Crown Lounge. I’m a luxury traveler; I have had a KLM Platinum badge for five years (and counting), which is so cool. It makes traveling (almost) bearable..
The flight was as it should be: quiet and fast. It takes only 2 hours from gate to gate. Love that. Then, the Uber to the hotel. We live in a beautiful time. The only thing I used was my phone. Everything I needed was there, and I did it on the phone. I booked the flight with the KLM App, Called Uber with the Uber App, and booked the hotel with the Hilton App. I checked the locations with maps; the IBM App had my entry ticket. The only thing you need is, of course, the phone and enough battery… And sometimes a connection. But that is only a problem in Germany; it all worked fine in Barcelona.
The venue was on a great location, near the sea, next to one of the recommended hotels. I wasn’t in that hotel, I booked too late. But I don’t mind a small ride in the morning/evening.
As in Vegas, there was also a sandbox where partners and IBM had booths and the Champions Lounge. Yes, I have been an IBM Champion for 4 years now! It’s like being KLM Platinum but even better! Champions are treated as kings by IBM! Front-row seats and people who do nothing else than care for our wellbeing. Thanks Libby, Cathryn, Amy and all others!
Unfortunately there was not much ELM, most was, “the ol’ Hardware” I learned that Mainframes are not dead, on the contrary! One of the things I started with after I graduated was the IBM AS/400, now SystemZ. Still cool stuff. I also learned there are “open source” Mainframes.
Some small items were there on ELM, there was a small item about Rhapsody, the new version was coming. And loo and behold: on February 29, 2024 Rhapsody 10 was officially released!!!!
What is new: Actually all is new… The GUI is changed and therefor all under the hood needed a thorough make-over. And the IBM boys and girls did the magic, just like on the TV make-over programs for houses or people: the result is stunning. Here is the official IBM “WhatIsNew“. Soon I get back to you guys with more news about Rhapsody 10!
Also new is the HarmonyMBE profile. Yes that is our work, Andy made that and it’s part of Rhapsody! We have a BLOG about it, we will fill that with more information soon.
So. Have fun with Rhapsody (10, but also with the older versions)
Yes. Sorry. But I do hate it. Noisy, Energy wasting, overpriced. I know there are few places in the world where you can organize big congresses like IBM Think, etc. But really? Does it have to be in a place that forces you to walk through a flipping casino to get to where you have your congress? Do you know how much energy that costs for a poor guy with Asperger’s? Thank god for Apple Airpods with noise canceling, Shades, and a Cap that prevents the lights from overflowing. And then the prices. Not a single bottle of red wine under $100,-? Seriously?
But OK. We were there for the IBM TechXChange. I had a slot of an hour together with Ed Mayer from IBM. This went very well ( Though I would have liked more customers… )
How to start Rhapsody?
There are multiple ways to start Rhapsody.
Open a Model
Just double-click on a Rhapsody File, a .rpyx (Or an old .rpy file). But what will be started now??
The latest version of Rhapsody that you have installed. (Unless you have edited the registry)
The Rhapsody Version described in the rhapsody.ini file that belongs to the started version. So if DefaultVersion is “Developer” then that’s the one you get. That is: when you have a license!
This will also open the model that you have chosen. And the language of that model. Even if your defualt is e.g. C++ and the model is C, the latter is the one that is opened.
Create a shortcut
I like to have shortcuts for all the versions of Rhapsody so I can decide what I start. IN the shortcut you can:
Put a command line parameter to start the correct version _-dev_ed, etc -lang=c++
Change the directory where you start RHP. So you can store multiple rhapsody.ini files!
Use the Windows Menu
Just go to “Start”. Then you can choose the version you want. 8.x, 9.x, C/C++, Developer, Architect. (If you have installed “Developer”.
Use the Context Menu
You first need to edit some registry stuff to add the versions to the Windows Context Menu.
Delete or rename HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rpyxFile and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rpyFile
Create file rpy_reg.reg for old model versions or rpyx_reg.reg for new model versions
Change the paths and versions to match your version
OK. I will write the rest of this post in German. MESCONF is a German conference and people speak German there. You are always welcome to join, but I think it’s less useful if you don’t understand German.
Was ist MESCONF!?
Eine Deutsche Konferenz die es seit 2015 gibt. MESCONF steht für “Modeling für/for Embedded Systems Conference”. Es gibt ein link auf der Website wo alle infos stehen.
Was hat Qualität mit Architektur zu tun?
Bei der MESCONF 2023 stehen die praktischen Anwendungen und Erfahrungen im Vordergrund, die Anwender beim Einsatz von Modellierung für Architekturdesign und Softwareentwicklung gemacht haben. Es erwartet Sie eine ausgewogene Kombination aus Vorträgen und Raum für Diskussionen über Erfahrungen und Erwartungen.
Zum 7. Mal tagt diese jährlich stattfindende Konferenz und diesmal wird Sie folgendes erwarten:
MBSE Reverse Engineering of the OPS-SAT Satellite – Peter Gersing / GPP
10 Jahre Modellierung mit UML im Serieneinsatz – Dr. Andreas Wagener / Faulhaber
The way to AI building machines – Jan Seyler / Festo
Die Logik einer logischen Architektur – Andreas Willert / SodiusWillert
Lassen sich Architekturen unterschiedlicher Engineering Disziplinen kongruent halten? Jan Richter / Siemens
AUTOSAR Adaptive mit Rhapsody – Vom System zu Implementierung und Test Hartmut Wittke / BTC
Open Space
Neben den Fachvorträgen bietet die Konferenz in Form von Open Space viel Raum für den direkten Erfahrungsaustausch zwischen Anwendern und Experten (angefangen von Methoden-Experten bis hin zu Werkzeug-Herstellern).
This month I finally had the chance to fly to Florida again. Long time no see! The IBM Think was in Orlando, and I needed to be there. So I booked the flight, and on a Friday, I took off to fly to Orlando via Boston. The plane took off late but would still arrive early, so I could leave the airport in Boston and meet with an old I-Logix friend who still works for IBM. For a few months, I have had a fantastic feature called “Global Entry.” That means you are allowed to enter the USA with just your passport. There is a separate entry with Electronic Passport Reading Machines. And… it works like a charm. I’m in within seconds. No more standing in line… OK, OK… also, no more stamps. But I can live with that.
This awesome feature comes with another real cool option: TSA Pre-Check. That means: no more unpacking laptop, no more shoes and belt off. So.. I’m happy. This meant I was out of Boston no more than 5 minutes after the plane landed. Very cool.
We went to a place called “Legal Seafood”. Well chosen name, all was legal 😉 Very good food!
After 3 hours, it was time to go back and catch the plane to Orlando. As always, I am surprised by how big the USA is…
Another 2.5-hour flight brought me to sunny Orlando. It was not so sunny anymore; it was late. So I picked up my rental and went to my hotel to catch some sleep. Luckily I had already slept on the airplane. Otherwise, it would’ve been a long, long day. I’m not used to that anymore…
Support
I received a question that I’d like to share with my readers. It was from another old I-Logix friend who now works for another company but is still using Rhapsody.
The question was
The Rhapsody C, C++ and Java code generators allowed you to add Requirements comments to generated code
E.g.
Is there anyway to change the way the requirement comment gets formatted?
We have some functionality in Polarion whereby if you checkin source code to your SCM system, we have a way of linking parts of that source code to Polarion work-items.
The problem is, our source code parser requires a certain format for the comment … hence my question if its possible to customize the way Rhapsody produces the requirements comment.
So far it just seems to do a // Realizes requirement NAME
Answer
Of course, you can! Rhapsody wouldn’t be Rhapsody if there wasn’t an intelligent way of doing this.
It’s called: Writer Templates. They are properties that tell the code generator what it needs to generate.
So I made a very small model, 1 Requirement, 1 Class with a “trace” dependency to that requirement and 2 configurations. One without changes and one wit han adapted Writer Template.
After the Think, I had a few days left to go to Fort Myers and enjoy Florida. 35º and sun, sun, sun…. Of course also seafood, unsweetened ice tea, and beach. And destruction. Yes. The last hurricane really left a lot of damage. Terrible to see.
When you read this, I’m already back. Flew back from Fort Myers via Atlanta to Schiphol. Everybody keeps telling me that it’s not cold… But I think different.
Have fun working with Rhapsody and I hope spring finally turns up in Europe…
Finally…. after almost 3 years there is new full release of Rhapsody. Yes, there have been iFixes, even a full release disguised as an iFix, but this is the real thing.
Where do I get it? You can download it from the IBM Website if you have the right login (P.A) or from our download portal if you are a customer with a valid support contract. If you have but you can’t login: just send us a mail on support@willert.de
What’s new?
ATG: Support of Visual Studio 2017 and Cygwin GNU g++ version 10
ATG now supports Visual Studio 2017 (in addition to Visual Studio 2012) and Cygwin GNU g++ compilers up to version 10.
ATG: Support of Cygwin compile environments with GNU g++ 64 bit
ATG now supports Cygwin compile environments also with the 64-bit version of the GNU g++ compiler (in addition to the 32-bit version).
TestConductor: Support computation of code coverage for Cygwin/MinGW GNU gcc/g++ version 10
TestConductor supports the computation of code coverage for Cygwin and MinGW GNU compile environments with gcc or g++ compilers up to version 10.
TestConductor: Support checking of invariant properties of the system under test
TestConductor can now check the invariant properties of the system under test. The checks are based on functions that can be implemented either manually or by using helpers and can be applied to one or multiple test cases. Each invariant check is performed during the whole test sequence of all applied test cases.
TestConductor: Support of test sets
TestConductor supports test sets that allow the grouping of multiple test cases in a test context. This feature allows the execution of several test cases in one sweep without the need to execute the whole test context with all owned test cases, including the generation of execution results and coverage information for a test set.
TestConductor: Improved support for Java models
TestConductor supports testing of Java models with similar functionality as C++ and C. Tests can be performed for Java code generated with or without Rhapsody animation.
XMI toolkit: Added the GraphicalProperties called LineThickness
A GraphicalProperties element called LineThickness is added to the XMI toolkit. With this element, thevisual rendering of lines on the diagram now can be exported and imported.
XMI toolkit: Added the flows realizing Association
In uml2, there is an InformationFlow that realizes the Association. This InformationFlow becomes a flow in Rhapsody. The link between the flow and the Association is now imported in Rhapsody to make the flows realize the association.
XMI toolkit: Added package in Object Model Diagram
The project packages can now be imported into Object Model Diagram.
XMI toolkit: Added a Select All/Deselect All button for units selection
Added a button to select or deselect all the Units.
XMI toolkit: Added a profile selection criteria in the export function
Profile that is not selected is no more exported during XMI export.
XMI toolkit: Renamed the Export Rhapsody Profiles option to Export extra data to support round trip
The current option name denotes whether to export or not to export the Rhapsody profile, but the choice is whether to export or not to export extra data, which is necessary to facilitate round-trip.
XMI toolkit: Tags with the value enum now reference to the InstanceValue instead of LiteralString
Previously, the tags with the value enum referenced to LiteralString, but now they reference to InstanceValue.
XMI toolkit: Added – MDReader is overriding UML2.4
UML 2.1 plug-in is able to correctly handle message’s signature from UML2.4, where the signature became changeable, instead of using MessageEvent. But an old fix inside MDReader overrides this behavior and forces it to have a SendOperationEvent, even in the case of a Signal.
RulesComposer: Updated open source lib version due to vulnerabilities
Some libraries are replaced or removed due to identified vulnerabilities. The consequence is that some components now have better abilities, but other features are unavailable such as the Eclipse Software Manager.
RulesComposer: Packaged Eclipse setup with Git version
As the Eclipse Software Manager is inoperable, the latest version of this component is installed.
RulesComposer: Updated features from Sodius Download centre
Installed the latest version of each integrated feature.
Installed the latest version of this feature, which is essential in current developments.
ADA Code Generator: Fixed CG and state transition
A state transition defect is fixed with And state transition. Now both sides of the And state are processed on a single event. The property Ada_CG.State.LegacyAndState allows generating legacy code. If the legacy model is opened, the legacy code is generated by default.
Profile not selected must not be exported during XMI export.
ADA Code Generator: Fixed CG animation compilation
Fixed animation of a class that inherits from an abstract reactive class with private visibility.
ADA Code Generator: Added GC New Macro
The macro $CodeGeneratedFileName can be now used in Ada_CG::File::ImplementationHeader property on separate operations.
ADA Code Generator: Added CG
New Macro- Ada_CG::Argument::DescriptionTemplateproperty can be used with the following keywords: $Name, $Direction, $Type, $Description.
ADA Code Generator: Improved RE
Improved the reverse of separate operations.
ADA Code Generator: Fixed RT
With advanced round trip mode, now the generalization stereotype is imported.
Additional Profiles
Rhapsody Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) 1.2 profileFor more information about the latest version of the Unified Architecture Framework Profile for Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody, see Rhapsody Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) 1.2 profile article.
It should be winter… but it’s not. At least not where I live ( on 52ºN an 7ºE ) But luckily, I can travel sometimes. I had to be in Munich briefly, just before Christmas. (Thanks for the invite, Franky!)
From the plane, I could already see the snow. I’m afraid that will be all the snow I see this winter.
I had a great steak at “El Gaucho”, recommended!
iFix4
IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody 9.0.1 SR1 iFix004 is now available for download. This iFix addresses several issues, including:
OSLC links to requirements are lost if .rpyx is reloaded.
INCONSISTENT BEHAVIOR OF FLOWS BETWEEN PORTS ON BDD / IBDS
RHAPSODY CRASHES WHEN CHANGING AN ELEMENT BETWEEN TWO NEW TERM ELEMENTS.
To apply this iFix, please ensure that the system environment variable by the name TELELOGIC_LICENSE_FILE exists and points to the location of a valid license server or file. The installation process requires administrator privileges and will replace the existing log4j.properties file with a new log4j2.xml file. We recommend taking a backup of your log4j.properties files prior to installation.
This iFix can be installed using MSI installation for the 64-bit version of Rhapsody on Windows. If you have previously installed IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody 9.0.1 iFix001, iFix002, or iFix003, you will need to first uninstall Rhapsody before installing this iFix.
After installation, users can take advantage of the integration with Engineering Workflow Management (EWM) or Rhapsody Model Manager (RMM) by installing the new integration plug-ins located in the <Rhapsody installation directory>\EWMIntegration folder.
We recommend all users to download and install this iFix to ensure optimal performance and stability of IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody.
You can download the iFix from our download portal ( You need a valid login code which you get when you have a valid support contract )
Nex release will be 9.0.2; we are already working on that. And we are working on the next major version with a completely revised GUI!
Hard Rock Cafe
I noticed that there was an HRC shop on the airport!
Traveling has started again. I have already had a few trips, and I am now writing this from Lounge 52 on Schiphol, ready to fly to Detroit for the third time in 3 months. Everybody must have heard the airport, road, and train horror stories by now, and I can say: a lot of them are correct. Schiphol, my home airport, is really busy. I am privileged because I have an AirFrance/KLM Platinum Frequent-Flyer Pass. this gives you “Sky Priority” which means I can sneak in smaller queues for Check-In, Security Check and Passport Check. But lately I was with my son, who does not have that, and I had to join the full 2hr Security queue. Not funny. And apperently we were lucky, on some days the queues are longer than four hours and loads of people miss their flights. As an “Airport Professional” I always know ways to shorten the waiting time, and I do not have to search my way, I know the way. (Which on Schiphol is a lot easier than on other airports) That helps a lot but it is annoying to do something that used to take minutes but now takes hours. Also on the road the traffic jams are increasing and the trains are fuller (because shorter…) and sometimes even not driving due to staff shortage. Add to that the increased change that one or more of your flights can be cancelled at random and you have the ingredients for “Travel Roulette”
Back on the release
Also delayed for quite a while were the Rhapsody releases. It was not entirely COVID that caused this but also exchanging the outsourcing crew to another country and then back to internal development (Which I definitely approve of and, although it does not make me happy, willing to accept the long delay ) But finally, now is the time for the first update in a long time. The mechanism has changed. The new release is an iFix. IBM is changing to a more agile release schedule, there will be more often releases in the future. Same for the extensions, we already have a 3 month release schedule. And teh extensions are available as iFixes
Naming Confusion
A while ago, IBM decided to rename all of its products. It happens more in large companies where decisions are not made by the people that deal with stuff but by the ones without a clue… Sometimes there are new “Buzzwords du Jour” because marketing wants that. Well, it is what it is. Just ignore it (I do) The annoying thing is that it is challenging to find Rhapsody on FixCentral. It is known under different names:
Name
Versions
Telelogic Rhapsody
< 7.4.0.1
Rational Rhapsody
7.5 – 8.4
IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody (Rational)
9.0 –
IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody (IBM Engineering)
9.0 –
So search for the correct names when you need an iFix.
9.0.1 iFix3
That is the name of the latest iFix. You must de-install the current 9.0.1 Rhapsody since it is a “new” install. The installer will check and will inform you about that.
Back in Europe
So the last trip was again challenging. The flight to Detroit was OK (Just 2 hours late, that’s peanuts nowadays) The next day to New Orleans was cool. I was sitting next to an older lady that had not flown for 30 years. Her last flight was a horror flight, and she went back by car.
I was busy comforting her and explaining the noises of an aircraft, and at the same time, realizing I just ignored a lot of stuff myself because I’m used to it. I never realize that I equalize the pressure when starting or landing. We arrived in New Orleans on time, and I like to think I made a difference for somebody.
The flight back was not as cool. I received a text message when I was already trying to sleep. ( KLM and Delta are on my VIP list… they can disturb me in all iPhone Focus Modes) The first flight from New Orleans (MSY) to New York (JFK) was delayed (How do they know that a day before???), which left me with a 59-minute step-over time. Not enough. So i started calling with the KLM Platinum Hotline, they couldn’t help me, the flight was handled by Delta and I was checked-in. Then back to the Delta Website and I could reschedule my flight to take a later flight from New York. All good. Until I was, again, disturbed by a text that promissed a further delay. (…. many curse words censored ) So I, again, rebooked. Just to find out after an hour that the flight I selected now had an 8 hour stop-over. Not Good. So I rebooked again (At 5 am) to a flight via Detroit. Losing my Economy Premium seat and the KLM flight (Delta hates KLM Platinum passengers) And then finally I slept for like 2 hours.
That flight went, and I managed to upgrade my seat, at least to have a free seat next to me. But sleeping just wasn’t in it. Too much noise. So after a second night with just 2 hrs of sleep i was lightly tired. But at home.
I still like travel. And Zoom/WebEx/GoToMeeting/Skype//.. are fine instruments. But they do not replace the need for an occasional face-to-face(F2F) meeting. That is always worth the trouble.
So happy upgrading with Rhapsody
Walter van der Heiden ( wvdheiden@sodiuswillert.de )
