We are back from vacation and feeling good about being back home. Not that we didn't enjoy ourselves and the company where we went, it's just always good to be back in familiar surroundings and back to our animals!
The vacation started with a bad omen; Katie, our cockatiel, died on the Saturday before we left. It was not unexpected as she had been sick for several days (our Red Lory had been sick the week before - not sure what was going around, but Katie was not able to handle it). I was just glad that whe passed while we were still home and our animal caretakers didn't have to deal with it!
We managed to get on the airplane without being searched (I am always searched - the dirty blond hair and green eyes cause a lot of alarm in airports apparently). Our flights were on time, so it was as painless as air travel gets.
We saw people that we haven't seen in 6-8 years, and saw people that we see every couple of months. We had a great time and told (and heard) some funny stories. We had soemthing like 22 people at the Holiday Inn, where we ate Thanksgiving dinner at (and stuffed ourselves to overflowing!).
I didn't get searched again on the way back so I figure next time I get on a plane that I will really be in trouble! Amazingly enough, our two pieces of luggage were the first two pieces out on the baggage retrieval carousal - and you can't beat that with a stick! We also managed to get on the first bus going out to the long-term parking lot, so we made it out of the airport in record time. Things went so well that we got home 1/2 hour before our "best circumstances" estimate!
Now I have a pile of laundry to do, and I have to go in to work at 9 tonight, so I can't really justify spending time on the computer. Will try to write more tonight while I'm waiting for the machine to power up.
Well, welcome back. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Sorry about the bird though. Are you planning to replace her?
I remember the airport stories you told. See, sometimes you sneak through. But you're right, next time could be a doozie.
Get settled back in and we'll read more about it later, OK?
Posted by: Wichi Dude | November 30, 2003 at 09:18 AM
...not only did we get searched the locks on our cases were cut off as well :^(...glad you is back - sounds like fun was had but I know what you mean about "getting-home-happiness"...bit of a bummer to have to go straight out to work - let's hope it is an easy shift :^)...
Posted by: billy | November 30, 2003 at 12:10 PM
Welcome back! It's nice to hear that you had a good trip. It's cool that the airports were good to you this time. For some reason they check DH's shoes each time we fly. He must look suspicious to them. *G*
Posted by: Buffy | November 30, 2003 at 07:48 PM
Billy - I remembered reading about your locks being cut, and was surprised that apparently even our luggage escaped the notice of airport security.
Actually, I think they just flubbed it. When we checked our luggage in, the woman ahead of us was called back to remover her locks. Then, when I was going through the metal detectors, the woman ahead of me (notice how they are all women) was pulled out of line so that they could search her carry ons.
Coincedence? I think not.
Posted by: bogie | December 01, 2003 at 02:30 AM
The listing that I obtained from the FAA's advisory site (before I knew that we were taking a company jet to Montreal) specifically advised people that if they chose to lock their luggage, the lock might be broken by inspectors when the bags were x-rayed. They advised not locking them (which leaves one in a quandary about what to do with valuable things that cannot go through the screening process because they are metal, pointy objects, etc.) Glad they didn't pick on you. See if you can't get your company to buy an airplane (and let you have personal use of it, of course) so that you can escape some of the hassles. LOL
Posted by: Cop Car | December 01, 2003 at 07:14 AM