Who decreed air travel should be so challenging, time-consuming, and aggravating? It is the 21st century! Why can’t gurus with business brains make a journey a seamless experience? Where is Scotty (of Star Trek fame) – ‘beam me up, Scotty’ – when you need him?
Long-distance trips for the wealthy can be pleasant, even enjoyable (or so I’ve heard. No personal experience to confirm the report). The rest of us, however, suffer the indignities of budget or mid-priced transportation. Obtaining airline tickets can be a frustrating experience. Most folks nowadays buy tickets online, and the process proves tedious and confusing. Prices can change daily, sometimes hourly. Holiday travel results in exorbitant fares, crowds, delays, and mounting frustration, so Steve and I avoid those times if possible.
We decided to schedule a trip a week after the December holidays. This winter has been brutal in our hometown. Cold, wind, snow, gray days, and darkness that descends before 5:00 p.m. made a getaway south appealing.
We were picked up at 11:00 am one frigid January morning and whisked to our local airport. We dragged luggage to the check-in kiosk, and within minutes the bags were on their way to our destination: Guadalajara, Mexico.
Small airports are a salvation, but unfortunately often involve interaction with a major airport. We checked in at the Atlantic City airport, walked a short distance to the security desk, presented our passports to the TSA agent, and were waved on. We loaded carry-ons onto a conveyor belt, emptied our pockets, threw coats into bins, then passed through X-ray machines. We grabbed our belongings at the other end of the conveyor belt and within minutes found our gate.
A couple of years ago American Airlines started a service from the Atlantic City airport to the closest large regional airport, Philadelphia, via bus. The advantage is check-in and security are accomplished in Atlantic City. The disadvantage can be a long wait in Philadelphia for a flight.
A wheelchair awaited us when we got off the bus, and Steve settled in as I sprinted behind the young guy pushing him along. It took more than 20 minutes to arrive at our gate. Airports are cities nowadays. We were lucky; no long wait until departure. We had time for a snack before our plane took off.
Steve and I settled into two aisle seats. I spent the next three-plus hours viewing a rom-com on a screen attached to the back of the seat in front of me. Time passed tolerably. I remember when meals were served on a flight. The food might have been lousy, but it was something to do. We were offered one non-alcoholic drink to satisfy our thirst.
Our plane landed at Dallas/Fort Worth on time. We exited the plane and dragged carry-ons into the terminal. A wheelchair again awaited us, and Steve settled in for a ride while I once again sprinted behind a guy training for a marathon. After a long dash and train ride, we arrived at the gate for our flight to Guadalajara. The plane did not leave for a couple of hours. Next to our gate a Chinese restaurant nourished hungry travelers. The food turned out to be satisfactory, not always the case for airport cuisine. Prices were not as acceptable, but we had no choice. It was dinnertime, and we were hungry.
The plane left a few minutes late but arrived in Guadalajara on time: 11:59 pm. Another wheelchair whisked us to the customs line. We flashed passports, picked up our luggage, and were on our way to our final, final destination – Ajijic, a small mountain town on Lake Chapala. We had arranged for a driver for the last part of our journey. When exiting the security area he was waiting, holding high a sign with our name on it.
We entered our hotel room at 2:00 am Central time; 3:00 am Eastern time, fifteen hours after our journey began. Dazed and a bit disoriented, backs and shoulders stiff from long hours seated, we were thrilled to lay our heads down on a bed and sleep. Airplane seats are not snooze-conducive spaces.
I was ready for an adventure senior-style. Laid-back, no pressure, packing/unpacking once upon arrival, warm weather. A retreat for the mind and body.
Let the experience begin.
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