Flying to FL during the Pandemics

Unpleasant surprises part1

I like early flights so I can have as much of the day at my destination. In winter time it kind of unpleasant. Too much darkness. Tonight was especially bad, I couldn’t sleep. My arm ached, thoughts were racing and maybe I was just anxious because of the trip. Maybe.. or maybe in some mysterious way I already knew that it is going to be one of those adventurous not in a good way days. 

This time I had a driver, which took us extra time and couple of circles to find United departures, Terminal 1 as was everywhere indicated was only for arrivals. On a second try I made a decision to risk arrivals, it said United after all. And so it started, departures were upstairs, but one escalator and the only elevator I could locate weren’t working. I am not easily discouraged so I quickly found another escalator working this time, but very tricky to use with two pieces of luggage. Did I mention the aching arm? 

Early in the morning during pandemic I was expecting half empty airport. Not this time, no no no and  guess what - the check in kiosks were out of their working hours? Did not know they are employees with the working hours. I looked around and there was a mass gathering of passengers equally lost. That was strangely encouraging. I am not alone, I am not the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on. I started calling for help in my mind and it soon was sorted out. I checked my bag and proceeded with my carry on to the security. 

Unpleasant surprises part 2

The line to the security could wrap half the block. Despite all this I was promptly singled out by the security employee. She said “you have to check in that bag. It’s too big’”. How/ I just bought it and it was the smallest in the store and the size of my old luggage. I tried to argue my case, but she said “go and check” and guess what, it was too big. “But I have inside things I cannot check in?”, “Okay let’s go talk to my supervisor”. I am waiting, waiting and waiting. Tried talking to United employee. “She said I don’t own this place. You have to check in”. Finally the supervisor came and the news are the same. “How about the stuff I have inside?’’ “Take it in your hands” ??? Then something happened “Okay I will bring you a tote bag. Sounds promissing. Ina meantime I bought another bag to check in and hoped she’ll show up with a bag. She did! Now I am unpacking my laptop and wine… She stopped me. You cannot carry that in. Oops. “Wrap it in your clothes” she suddenly turned into my mom. So I did distributed my small bottles into bathing suits shorts, etc.and soon was done with all that.

Now I am comfortably seated into my premium seat and reflecting what happened. Those two women saved my precious wine and I got United tote bag. Plus I wont’t have to take my heavy luggage from overhead with aching arm. Life really has a mysterious ways of saving you ass.