Why is it that every time I fly I come away with enough material for a column? I bet if I saved a year’s worth of notes I’d have enough for another book.
Last week Priscilla and I flew to Virginia Beach to celebrate the fact that my daughter-in-law is now a Chief in the Navy. Cheers to you Marla! We now have two Chief Petty Officers in the family as my son achieved that last year.
We decided to fly this time instead of driving because that trip always takes a lot out of us. Priscilla worked a 24-hour shift the day before we left and you never know if she’ll get any sleep so this was just the safer way to go.
The trip down was pretty normal. We flew Southwest Airlines from Providence to Baltimore and then Baltimore to Norfolk. The flight to Baltimore is about an hour and then Baltimore to Norfolk is something like 35 minutes.
Isn’t it the best?
As I’ve mentioned before, the airport HAS to be the BEST place to people watch. There are so many sights to see. I always think of my mom and what she would have to say about some of the fashions. I can’t bring myself to fly in sweatpants or even pajama pants but, hey, you do you! It is interesting to see guys who wear sleeveless Tshirts, cargo shorts and sandals. I can understand if you are coming from Puerto Rico or some warm climate but this was Providence to Baltimore! I think the high temperature was 42!
Just tell me the rule!
Have I asked this before? Why can’t the TSA have ONE set of rules? I can understand that each airport is different but this is the same federal agency isn’t it? Now my wife and I have TSA pre-check, we’ve had it for a year or two. This was the first time I had to take off my belt. The Sky Cap I was with even told the agent that I had pre-check but he said, “I know, but it’s always a good idea to take your belt off.” Okayyyyyyyyy….
My wife posted that she always thought being a TSA agent would be a good part time job when she retires but she realized she’s not cranky enough! I know it’s a serious job but are they all in a bad mood? Maybe it’s a prerequisite.
How do you turn the damn thing on?!!!
Another question I have is… since when did restroom faucets become so high tech? They are all different and the ones in Providence seem to be out of Star Trek or something. The water, soap dispenser AND hand dryer are all on the faucet thing. I wasn’t the only one moving his hands this way and that way to try to get the stuff to work. “I just want to wash my damn hands!”
And another question (I got plenty): Can you ever land at the same terminal as your next flight? Providence has only the one terminal but it never fails in Baltimore: If I land at Terminal A I have to go to B. Or B to A or wherever. I use a wheelchair at airports now as there is no way I could make that walk and reach my plane on time. It’s more convenient and easier except for Priscilla this time as the guy who was pushing me must have been a sprinter in college because he was power walking through that airport.
You know how the airport has all kinds of food options and different shops and kiosks? In Baltimore we went by one that sells socks. A few other things but mainly socks.
I guess there’s a need.
Another question… Why do people, in a crowded gate area or on the plane in one instance, make a call on speaker phone??? Do you really think we all want to hear your conversation? And it’s not because they want to be hands-free because they hold the microphone up to their mouth so the other person can hear them! Is it too much to ask that you hold the phone up to your ear so I just have to hear your side?
Question number — what 18 by now? Why are some people so gross? We sat across the aisle from one man who snorted, sniffed and coughed during the whole flight. Thankfully it was a short flight but really…I was thisssss close to getting up and giving him a tissue. “Here! Blow your nose and save us the aggravation!”
What if that was you?
We were delayed a bit flying home Tuesday because it was during that wind and rain storm that was all up and down the East Coast. It wasn’t bad considering the weather. We were sitting at the gate in Baltimore for about 45 minutes while they waited for people that were connecting and delayed on other flights. While I could understand why people were getting a little impatient I thought it was nice that the pilot was giving the people a chance. The funny thing was, when he announced they were waiting for their luggage to make it from another plane to ours, I heard someone say, “Let them get it tomorrow! Let’s go!”
I wonder how they would feel if that was their underwear?
It was also raining sideways that night. We have soft-sided luggage and even though Priscilla did laundry and all of our stuff was clean, we had to throw it all in the dryer because it got wet. Even my toiletry kit was soaked.
All-in-all the trip was ok.
Join us again next time…
I fly again next month. I wonder what kind of adventures that will bring?
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