What an eventful 3 days. Good for a blog I guess.
I’ve always been a people watcher. Since my hearing loss I do believe it is more so. Sometimes I am hyper aware, other times I’ve got my head buried in a book or my phone and am oblivious. I’ve always been one extreme or the other in most areas of my life so it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. This time I hope there aren’t people around like me that are watching. If they are they have truly thought some things about me.
I began my day bright and early Wednesday as I am out of the bed by 5:15 on work days. Tuesday was especially exciting as I had a bag packed, the dog packed and was ready to catch a flight to see grandson #1. Even though I just saw them two weeks ago, my Bubba’s birthday is coming up and it is time to celebrate FINNDEPENCE day.
My wish, as I’m sure most folk’s wish, is for the work day go by smoothly and quickly. My Bff is keeping the dog and taking me to the airport after work. There have been problems as of the last few days with flight delays and the skies were sunny. It is a fantastic travel day. That is unless, of course, you have zero patience.
Seems the more I travel the more I get pulled to the side. More so since the hip replacement of course. Even CHA loves to pat me. I just wish they would end it with a kiss you know? Not only do they love to feel and see what kind of contraband or bomb making materials I could be harboring they also search my luggage. Again, this is a no fail event. I’ve decided someone has put me on “the list”. I don’t know what list it is but whomever it was needs to break a leg or something.
I always try to engage TSA as I know they are only doing their job. I have however, learned not all have a sense of humor or even a personality. Some are down right rude and are mad at the world. Thankfully the ones at CHA were friendly and EXTREMELY thorough (if you know what I mean). My luggage was all but totally emptied. She swiped shoes, makeup and my toiletry bag. They even took my powder and face moisturizer to another machine for a different scan. Do I look like a fugitive, drug dealer, hijacker, or bomb maker? Geez, I’m a tired little old lady who just finished a 12 hour shift in an er. But, protocol….. I’m practicing what I preach about being kind and understanding. My favorite saying to my kids when they were teens was “what if you are the only Jesus they see?”
I thanked the TSA folks for the total invasion of privacy and am pretty sure there was some HIPPA rules broken.
When I am not traveling with my travel agent, I always try and make sure the ticket agent and the stewards know I am hearing impaired in case I do miss a pivotal announcement. Wednesday night was no exception.
I boarded my flight and was sitting next to the cutest little 16 year old girl from Rhea county. She was fantastic to help me decipher the announcements that kept coming from the pilot.
We pushed back from the gate as the first announcement was made. “Passen…*insert Charlie Brown’s teacher’s voice……informed…..*insert voice…….minutes…..” Of course I didn’t understand. The sweet little girl explained there was a weather cell over ATL and our flight was going to be delayed a bit while we waited for instructions.
Ok, I’m good. I still have internet and am watching a movie. It was about 20 mins and we cleared for takeoff. 20 more minutes and we are circling the Atlanta airport waiting to land. The stewardess was really great to come and follow up and make sure I understood what was happening and since all flights were grounded I shouldn’t miss my connector. Everyone was lined up to take off or circling above the cell. After our fourth big circle the captain says we can’t continue to circle because we don’t have enough fuel. The closest place they would send us to fuel…..CHA…. Yep, we turned around and went right back to where we left. One has to find humor here or it makes one cranky. Here is the 25 min speech about it shouldn’t take long and how grateful they are we are flying with them….at least I think that is what he is saying.
I then encountered a first. An airplane bathroom! When I say I’m glad to say at 58 years old I had never been in a plane bathroom it is a matter of pride AND I hope I NEVER have to see another one. Don’t get me wrong. It was clean and all but that blue stuff was strong! I swear I’m still smelling it two nights later. It is akin to a portapotty. Yep, big NOPE!
After our 25, in reality 45 minute gas up we are cleared to fly to ATL once more. The cell had moved on and so were we. When we get in the air I am informed that my connection had been missed and there wasn’t another til morning. My understanding of customer service they should put us all up in a hotel. No, they tell you where they are and offer you a percentage off coupon for said hotel. This is where my second first came in. A night in the Hartsfield/Jackson airport, call sign ATL.
It was eerie. I don’t mean scary eerie, I mean weird eerie…..curious, eccentric….funky…freaky…. I have always thought as busy as that airport is it would never be empty but empty it was. I also did not know there is nothing flying after 2am per travel agent. I didn’t mind the airport stay and actually liked having experienced it when it wasn’t an emergency and there were thousands of people there. The employees were cleaning and really loud on occasion but never was I fearful or worried.
Sleep didn’t happen but in 15 min interval and I may have gotten a total of two hours tops. Seemed like a mama cat nap on Groundhog Day. I was so thankful that I had all my belongings as I didn’t check a bag and it made a decent lean to.
The flood gates open at 5am there and it took all of 15 mins for it to return to the hustle and bustle one is used to at the airport there. I decided I needed to walk. I literally walked all the way back to the terminal and rode back to my gate to the tune of 5760 steps. It was a great pick me up. They have some pretty interesting art pieces between the concourses. If you ever get a chance to walk and enjoy you should. Never waste an opportunity to take in interesting and new things.
I knew I was on standby for the first flight and knew I didn’t want the flight they had assigned me which wasn’t to leave ATL until 9pm. I prayed off and on all night. I had a Delta employee with whom I spoke and explained my two first as we share a giggle. He said “I gotchu”. Indeed he did. I was on the back row of the plane but I was on it. NEXT TO THE BATHROOM! Tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor. Again, seated next to a minor.
I know there are no accidents in this world and have decided these girls needed a Granny or a mother on these flights. The little girl slept the whole way. When she finally woke up we were within range of PA. I asked her how old and she told me she was 11. She told me she had lived in TX and GA and was moving to Kansas. I asked the cities and her response was El Paso and Fort Gordon and I knew immediately she was an Army brat. She could make friends with a sign post. She had a great personality and I learned not only was her mom and dad BOTH in the Army so was her step mother and step dad. Talk about a family affair. She is a little bummed though they are going to be separated after 7 years together.
For those reading that don’t remember Harrisburg is the capitol of PA. Taylor had informed me the airport was a major hub but was a small airport. I thought she was just exaggerating because a capitol city that was a major hub couldn’t be THAT small. She wasn’t kidding. It was maybe three gates bigger than Chattanooga. A third first….flying into Harrisburg, PA. I had gone less than 15 hours and already had 3 firsts under my belt. Who really cares what those firsts were, they were firsts nonetheless.
After a few quick stops I finally saw a shower. After 30 hours of straight up fun and excitement it was not a minute too soon. A two hour nap with a clean body and I was ready to play with my Bubba when he got home:) We had some fun racing go karts and playing arcade games. The fun has continued on through the day today. One where we picked flowers, fed farm animals and played hard. Birthday party tomorrow and this boy will be 4 on the 5th. I can not believe my little fella will be heading to school next year! He has grown leaps and bounds and can be really funny. He is a mocking bird and will straight up get you for saying “Shoot” and “Dadgumit”. Guess I will just stay in the Finley jail for awhile. I will update if I need bail.
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