by Eric Smith
FAN590 | raptors.com
November 9, 2007

Sometimes…membership does indeed have its privileges!

As a 'team broadcaster', I fly with the Raptors on their team charter. The same goes for folks like Chuck Swirsky, Jack Armstrong, Leo Rautins and Paul Jones. We're lucky. The other reporters and beat writers are stuck flying commercial…and I don't envy them one bit. But I do, truly, feel sorry for them.

Although those on the charter - players included - still have to clear Customs at the airport before we fly out, it's nothing like what anyone on a commercial flight experiences.

For security reasons, there is usually a line at Customs dedicated - strictly - for the Raptors' charter; ditto at the security/baggage check as well.

Guys like Doug Smith (Toronto Star), Steve Buffery (Toronto Sun), Michael Grange (Globe and Mail), etc. are stuck dealing with the long check-in lines…and longer lines at Customs. They're regular Joes at the airport - like 99% of the rest of those flying - with no special treatment at all.

So while I'm on the charter waiting to take off…eating my chicken parm…with the on-board masseuse rubbing my feet (okay, I'm joking about that part)…the beat grunts are waiting to be crammed into their sold-out flight…and served pretzels and water.

It might sound like a 'minor' problem (for lack of a better word) to some of you; some of you are probably thinking - "they get to cover pro sports for a living…get over it!" - but I'm telling you…the travel can be a real strain on the body.

I don't even PLAY and my body is sore and banged up. My knees hurt …my back is sore…my body is just 'tired'…and I'm not even on the floor pouring out my blood and sweat like the players! But late-night flights and checking-in to hotels at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. takes its toll. The only thing that makes it easier to swallow - and handle - is the way we're treated; like kings. I may be making thousands, but I'm treated like a millionaire - with chartered flights and lavish hotels. It's nothing to complain about. And that's the reality check I give myself all of the time.

But if I were Smitty, Buff, or Grange…I'm not sure I could handle it.

Take, for instance, Doug Smith's last (and next) 24 hours.

I ran into Smitty at Lester B. Pearson Airport yesterday afternoon around 2 p.m. I was heading to my special Customs' line while he was getting set to line-up with the rest of the herd on the 'regular' section. By 3:30 p.m. I was in the air…and by 5:45 p.m. I was checking in to the hotel in Philly.

I found out this morning that Doug's 5:45 p.m. flight on Thursday had been cancelled. But by the time he knew his flight had been cancelled, his bags had already been transported to another area of the airport.

Long story short…security would not allow Smitty's bags to be returned to him because they had already gone through the check point. Plus, they couldn't even find his bags! And they hadn't even made it onto a plane; they were lost in the airport!

By the time the bags were found - and returned to Doug - he was walking through the front door of his house at 9:15 p.m.…SEVEN hours after I ran into him at the airport! He kissed his already-sleeping son, chilled out with his wife for a bit, and then set the alarm for a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call for his rescheduled Friday morning flight to Philly.

He got into Philly early this morning and came right to the arena for the Raptors' game-day shoot-around.

But the 'fun' doesn't stop there.

While I'll be jetting-off to Chicago right after the game tonight - with the rest of the team - snuggling-in to my windy city hotel around 3:00 a.m. or so…Doug (and the other beat dudes on this trip) wasn't able to find a flight out of Philly tonight…so he'll be spending the night…and facing ANOTHER early-morning, game-day flight to Chi-town.

There are definitely worse jobs in sports but that kind of travel takes its toll on the body. I think I'll buy Doug lunch…or a beer!

Or I could just steal some of that chicken parm off the charter for him.

E. Smith
ericsmithfan590@yahoo.com