I am the world’s worst traveler, at least that is what my husband tells me. I love to travel but I am travel handicapped. This morning I woke up to my alarm going off at 3:50 a.m. to catch my flight to Springfield, Missouri. Good news-I arrived at the airport in plenty of time; however, bad news- the boarding pass Tom printed off for me didn’t have the gate number printed on it. Not to worry, I can find a screen and figure it out, I think as I nervously look around for a monitor. Good News- No worries! The baggage check lady put the gate number on my boarding pass! I smile confidently as I briskly walk to the security area. I’m debating whether or not I should tell the person at the ID check place that I appreciate all they (TSA) do to keep me safe. Chickened out. Bad news-I forgot to remove my jacket. I got stopped immediately and was told to please remove my jacket and put my feet into the yellow foot prints and put my hands over my head. Evidently, you have to have a body scan if you leave your jacket on…sigh. Good news- On the other side of security I was close to my gate AND the restrooms. YES! Good news-Totally empty and clean bathroom. Bad news-upon arrival at my gate, I realize I dropped my boarding pass in the previously mention clean bathroom. I run back to the bathroom, carry on slapping me in the back of the knees and purse flopping, praying fervently that some terrorist that looks like me and has found my boarding pass and is planning mischief does not exist! Good news-there is some tale tell paper under the stall door. Toilet tissue? Good news! My boarding pass! Back to the gate. No one there… Maybe an uncrowded flight? It could happen. Bad News-Plane is delayed due to mechanical stuff. Bad news-I hear my name announced across the Italian marble concourse… “Last call for flight XXX for Melanya Berg. Please come to gate xx immediately!” Whaaa? Shoot! I’m running three doors down and barely make it. The baggage lady put the wrong gate on my pass. Bad news-Grumpy door keeper doesn’t care that the baggage lady almost made me miss my flight.
I am the last passenger to board the plane. It’s totally packed. I’m sweating like an iced diet coke in a sauna, I throw my stuff under the seat in front of me. Bad news- The guy in front of me figured I’d never make it so HIS stuff was in my space. Good news-The guy across the aisle reminded him the rule is “…under the seat in front of you.” At last peace. Knitting, reading, music, napping…until I get to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Part II.
