I have been trying to not write this blog, I mean how many people out there are already 'dissing' the airlines and the airports and travel in general, what can I really add. Plus I already ranted about my trip here, do I really have the right to complain a second time. Well, I do and you have the right to ignore me and I would understand if you did.
The trip to the Airport was the typical Tilt-A-Whirl experience. I think the driver had decided that I had not seen enough of the city's underbelly so he decided to take the (non) scenic route to the Airport but we arrived alive and unscarred and in India this is something of which you dream whenever you get into a vehicle. People insisted that I leave what I thought was ridiculously early, four hours before my flight and though I thought it unnecessary, I acquiesced and went early. What no one mentioned is that you must pass through Immigration to LEAVE the country. Did anyone in this incredibly long line give any thought as to what would happen if they could not pass the immigration inspection LEAVING the country. If I fail then would I have to STAY? Am I the only person to which this makes no sense.
Nevertheless, I didn't fail and was passed through to security which was the typical inspection to make you feel safe and sent off into the terminal. At this point I began to relax a little, I am a little closer to home. Am I truly in a hurry to be home? Of course, I want to see my family, eat something familiar, drive on a road where people stop for stop light. Mostly though at this moment, I just want the traveling part to be over. They call the plane and we get in another line which is moving incredibly slow until I realize we are going through security AGAIN, so off come the shoes again another pat down and another line at the front of which is ANOTHER security check. Are people just justifying there jobs at this point?
The plane to Amsterdam was interminable but the flight staff was nice and the food (after six months of starvation) was heavenly. Over the two flights to get home, I ate more than I had eaten in the past week. I also caught up on my movie viewing over the two flights. In Amsterdam at the next security checkpoint they made me take off my belt. I had lost 10 inches on my waist, I said, "If I take off my belt, my pants will fall down." The rude reply was "You could buy smaller jeans." The urge to strike him was strong and the filter that keeps a person from doing it was weak due to the fact that I had now been awake for 24 hours but I resisted.
Safely home, one final insult awaited me. The company who was contracted to pick me up was a no show. The only reason that I am not posting their name has nothing to do with any fear of being sued since the truth is a defense against libel, it is simply that I cannot remember their name. Feel free to check with me before hiring anyone out of Detroit, I will find out for you. I made it home nonetheless.
Safely in the arms of my family, I am unpacking and sorting, I notice that my nail clippers have been removed from my suitcase. My nail clippers have been removed from my suitcase that was checked into the baggage compartment. Let's see if I understand this -- A pair of nail clippers buried in my suitcase which in turn is buried in the belly of the plane to which I would have had to fight my way down, then root around for possibly hours before I found my bag, only to return to the cabin to what, give the pilot a really bad manicure. Please.
So enjoy your next plane ride, I know I will.
The trip to the Airport was the typical Tilt-A-Whirl experience. I think the driver had decided that I had not seen enough of the city's underbelly so he decided to take the (non) scenic route to the Airport but we arrived alive and unscarred and in India this is something of which you dream whenever you get into a vehicle. People insisted that I leave what I thought was ridiculously early, four hours before my flight and though I thought it unnecessary, I acquiesced and went early. What no one mentioned is that you must pass through Immigration to LEAVE the country. Did anyone in this incredibly long line give any thought as to what would happen if they could not pass the immigration inspection LEAVING the country. If I fail then would I have to STAY? Am I the only person to which this makes no sense.
Nevertheless, I didn't fail and was passed through to security which was the typical inspection to make you feel safe and sent off into the terminal. At this point I began to relax a little, I am a little closer to home. Am I truly in a hurry to be home? Of course, I want to see my family, eat something familiar, drive on a road where people stop for stop light. Mostly though at this moment, I just want the traveling part to be over. They call the plane and we get in another line which is moving incredibly slow until I realize we are going through security AGAIN, so off come the shoes again another pat down and another line at the front of which is ANOTHER security check. Are people just justifying there jobs at this point?
Safely home, one final insult awaited me. The company who was contracted to pick me up was a no show. The only reason that I am not posting their name has nothing to do with any fear of being sued since the truth is a defense against libel, it is simply that I cannot remember their name. Feel free to check with me before hiring anyone out of Detroit, I will find out for you. I made it home nonetheless.
Safely in the arms of my family, I am unpacking and sorting, I notice that my nail clippers have been removed from my suitcase. My nail clippers have been removed from my suitcase that was checked into the baggage compartment. Let's see if I understand this -- A pair of nail clippers buried in my suitcase which in turn is buried in the belly of the plane to which I would have had to fight my way down, then root around for possibly hours before I found my bag, only to return to the cabin to what, give the pilot a really bad manicure. Please.
So enjoy your next plane ride, I know I will.
