Everyone -
Yes, the story is funny now...Trust me, I could have left that car there for several hours and it wouldn't have gone anywhere. Sure my dignity and pride were bruised...but the bottomline is this - I knew better than to be out in that weather, dressed the way I was (not for the extreme conditions), leaving the car running, AND in gear...I knew better, and still did it. As far as the hide-a-key - Ladies and Gentlemen, in 45 years, that was the first time I have ever locked keys in the car...I am OCD enough there probably won't be a second...and the only two options my car doesn't have (and I did not want) is On Star and an Automatic tranny (which would have given me traction control)...our ambulances have hidden unlock buttons - that is probably what I would do before a hide a key...Lesson learned.

I don't mind making mistakes if other people will learn from them...LOL.

 

Chris, I feel you buddy. I had a Pinto Wagon Panel with shaved handles, keys were in the ignition to have the stereo running while i was working in the back hatch, wind blew my door closed, ran to the front of the car, and the lift shut on me. UGH! That was the ONLY key had to the car, house key was on the ring also. Didnt have a cell phone back in them days. LOL Anyways, long story short I leave the windows down now when doing work like that. BTW, I used to live on Chanute AFB, and know all to well how those winds in Illinois are.