Saturday night and I'm thinking about the next morning and my flights home. A few years ago I had a Southwest flight from Oakland to Detroit, Wanda took me to the airport. I checked my bag curbside, walked in and saw a long, long line at the security checkpoints. When I got through I had to run, shoeless through the terminal and made my plane by just a few minutes. I didn't like that experience much.
Arriving in Detroit I went to baggage claim, waited and watched suitcase, garment bags, and assorted items arrive on the carousel, none of them mine. Finally I asked and was told if something is not checked at least one hour before the flight it may not make the airplane. Mine I learned more than two hours later had been checked 55 minutes before my flight. I didn't like that experience much either, having a two hour wait for my luggage (the next plane in).
I always worry about getting to the airport or train station late so I go early. I suppose I could travel by Greyhound Bus? I wouldn't want to spend any extra time in a bus station.
I was so concerned about getting to the airport late we decided to stay up all night and Harriet and Paul would take me early. I didn't care, better I get there three hours before than five minutes after my flight. Harriet did stay up, as usual, and we left for Metro Airport around five.
The night before my flight home Wanda said she heard Sunday the 19TH was a very busy day. Lots of folks starting their holiday so airports would be crowded. When we pulled up at the drop-off area before six in the morning I saw a line that must have been the length of a football field, and then some. I had over three hours to make my flight but immediately went into panic mode, it looked that long. Damn near running in I went to the end of the line, having no idea, really, what it was for and where it was going. (ever notice people will just get on lines?) I asked if this was for United security, was told it was not, thank goodness, then left to find the correct long line.
When I got to the proper area I saw a very reasonable gathering. I got my paperwork out, took off my sweatshirt, shoes, and belt. Got my notebook out of it's case. Took my fanny pack (yes, I travel with a fanny pack but I wear it in my front) wallet, cell phone, paper money and loose change, put everything in those grey tray totes and proceeded to the "see you naked machine things." Just as I was ready to step into the machine a lady TSA agent came over to me, looked into my eyes and whispered, "Sir, your zipper is open." Now I'm making myself nuts trying to decide if, 1. she was being polite and didn't want me to be embarrassed, or, 2. the screener thing doesn't operate properly if your fly is open? I'm going in a machine that shows an x-ray like thing of me naked and had to pull up my zipper? I'm done, you figure it out.
I am slowly becoming one of those old men you see shuffling around the seedy sections of your city. I have coffee stains on most of my clothing, Hell, I saw some on my tennis shoe yesterday. I forget to pull up my zipper. Soon I'll be muttering to myself about someone named Ida and dribbling on a bib. Just get me a drool cup and a pair of suspenders, I'll be fine.
The flights home were, well, flight home. Just the other day I told someone I didn't mind flying. It was all the stuff you went through getting on the plane. Now, I think it's all of it. After pulling up my zipper yesterday I had to wait while they stopped me and did a "bag check." I walked about a mile and a half to the gate, waited a long while until boarding. I got in the "boarding" line and waited while they looked through my "fanny pack." I was still wearing it on the front. Finally I waited in the jet way while everyone tried to find their seats AND room for the carry on luggage. Eventually I got on the airplane plopping down in a seat better suited for the "Wizard of Oz" munchkins.
This was a United Airline "Go Jet." The jet may go, but, you better not. The one toilet is at the rear of an isle too narrow for people to pass. If someone is using it, you need to wait for them to finish and either pass your seat or get back in theirs. You also better stand up as soon as they come out of the toilet or someone will beat you to it.
The seat configuration on this jet is two seats, the tiny narrow isle, and two seats. I had an isle next to a young fellow who was about 6'5. He couldn't help it and his left elbow was in my right rib cage. The row behind us was empty so I asked, and moved into those seats when we leveled off. I took out the notebook, put in the ear buds and started watching a movie Harriet had loaded for me. A short while into the flight the FA (flight attendant) dropped a tray full of glasses all over the seat I moved out of. I, and the lap top, would have been drenched had I still been sitting there. I was very glad I moved. Then got to thinking maybe I should buy a lottery ticket? Aside from the almost shower and the toilet issue the flight was smooth, on time, and I got to Denver dry and with my zipper up.
Ever been in the Denver airport? This thing has got to be the largest freakin' airport in the United States. Hey, how about that, I just looked it up...it is Denver, 34,000 acres or 53 square miles of land mass. See, not only is this fun to read it's also educational. I had a couple hours wait in Denver, eventually getting on the connector and flying home to Oakland.
It was (as you can imagine) great seeing Wanda and getting home. She had a wonderful surprise, Dungeness Crab for dinner and it was delicious. My body was still on eastern time so I was in my pj's for the Sunday Night Football game. At one point I had another of the "she said" "he heard" situations, she said, "It's 23-21 Green Bay." and I heard, "It's 23-21 Oy Vey."
Talked with Fred for a few minutes last night. He told me he was doing OK. He'd just come downstairs for the third time and was putting together his dinner. I have a feeling he will be eating a lot of Aunt Lee's cooking and there isn't a thing wrong with that. She is still a pretty good cook. Now that I'm gone he has to do all this for himself, hungry is a great motivator.
Speaking of hungry, I am. I hope you all have a good Monday. I guess we are now in the holiday season downhill slide. Only five more days until Christmas.
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