Our travel day began with packing yesterday. We did our best to squeeze everything into one suitcase, two computer backpacks, and the breathing machine bag. We thought we were going to able to take everything until I put the suitcase on the scale. It weighed in at 62 pounds and was well over the 50 pound limit. After removing most of the books I was going to read it was back down to 46 pounds. Maybe I’ll have to get a Kindle someday after all. I also had to call the airline. We booked our flight over two months ago and there have been several changes in itinerary since then. One of those changes ended up deleting our flight from San Francisco to Atlanta. I had gotten the flight reinstated earlier this week, didn’t discover until yesterday that we were no longer seated together. The reservation agent at Delta was very nice, but could not do anything to change our seats. Instead, we were instructed to get to the airport early and attempt to change our tickets at check-in.
After getting everything packed and Shirley getting snacks baked we went next door for dinner. It was a wonderful meal of polenta and stew with bread pudding for dessert. We got to bed at 7P, but this is only too early if you aren’t thinking of making a three hour time change the next day. We were up early and ready to go by 5:30A. Our neighbor Dave went with us to bring the car back and we had a very smooth drive to the airport. We got to the airport by 6:50A and Shirley went to check-in while I went to the bathroom. I asked more than once and discovered that the check-in process has been completely automated. The employees at the check-in counter are only there to assist you with the terminals or check your bags. I had some books back into our bag and cut it a little close. The bag weighed 50 pounds (maybe a little more), but a very nice Delta employee checked the bag onto the plane. He asked us to be cautious on the way home not realizing that we’d be much lighter after leaving Christmas gifts in Fort Myers.
At this point we proceeded to security and took a long time getting through. Shirley’s breathing machine even got the privilege of being x-rayed twice. We got to the gate more than an hour ahead of the flight departure time and asked the gate agent if he could find us seats. We moved further back in the plane, but he was able to reseat us and put us together. We were in an early loading zone so we didn’t have any problem getting one bag in the overhead compartment. The flight was bumpy, but there were few turns and Shirley did as well as she ever has. Her music player battery went dead about an hour into the flight, but we were on a 757 and she was able to watch HGTV the rest of the way to Atlanta. I was a little surprised, but pleased. We’re now sitting in the Atlanta airport and Shirley is playing Freecell while I write this blog.
I sure wish that the larger airports provided free Wi-Fi for passengers. I guess if I want it that bad I’ll pay for it. It is now possible to connect to the Internet while in flight. The company that provides that service just handed out free access cards for the customers going to Minneapolis.
Our flight to Florida boarded on time and we had a smooth flight to Fort Myers. It is a very short flight and was very smooth. Shirley was delighted that the approach to the airport was a straight on approach rather than the normal turning and turning and turning. The ultimate indicator of a smooth travel day is when your luggage arrives. Our not only arrived, but was sitting to the side of the carousel when we walked into the baggage area. When we walked outside we knew we weren’t in California. I don’t know what the temperature was, but it was warm.





































