Airports, Plane Rides, and Security

on both ends of the trip, of course, were plane rides and airports. the 3 airports we had the pleasure of using were Charlotte, JFK, and Tel Aviv. Of the three, the JFK was the most troublesome. The others weren't bad at all.

i met the three guys from Charlotte at the airport and they recognized me by my work shirt that had the town name on it. i hadn't thought of that perk to wearing the shirt, i had just thought it was comfy. but note taken if ever meeting people in the airport again.

the plane ride to JFK was full. there were zero empty seats. i sat next to a rather quiet individual who was on his way to Prague. we were the very last seats in the plane. next to the bathroom. and having this seat gave me the great pleasure of being the bathroom monitor. i didn't really mind, but the door does have that little sign that says occupied and vacant. i was an unnecessary link. after sharing a laugh or two with my seat buddy about how we couldn't hear a word the flight attendant said we parted ways and headed to our connecting flights.

once in JFK i lead the pack to the next gate. i think they were a little taken back that they didn't need to watch out for in the airport and rather i watched out for them.

after our almost mile long walk to our terminal we settled in for about a half hours wait to load the again totally full plane.

i started in the middle of my isle, but after the people next to noticed i was traveling alone i was asked to move and ended at the window seat. where i stayed for the entire flight. i did not get out of my seat for 12 hours.

we had 2 meals, one i got the chicken. i will not do that again on a plane. the other i accidentally got the kosher. that i would do again. it was pretty good.

on this plane there was one screen for each section so we all had the same movies. i slept mostly, but i watched one movie. the ides of march. it was terrible. i mean it was entertaining, but the story line was highly depressing. i just don't see how that is a good choice for a plane ride.

then, we landed. and i stood up. my legs still worked.

coming into the country was pretty easy. they looked at our passport, stamped it, and sent you on your way. we picked up our luggage, all of which was there, and headed to be picked up by pilgrim tours.

we had to call the tour company to find our guide as he was already with uncle paul's group. once we found them we promptly loaded the bus and headed to the hotel.

now fast forward 9 days to leaving the Israel.....

we were dropped off at the airport pretty early, but that was ok with us. while waiting to check in we participated in the memorial day moment of silence. at 8pm in the whole country a siren sounds and everyone stops what they are doing to have a moment of silence remembering the lives lost. it was a strange but beautiful moment.

about an hour later we went to check in.

i thought that i had made it through a trip without being thought suspicious. i thought wrong. they go through every item in your suitcase. no matter if you are suspicious or not. every item. (i could hardly close the bag back) apparently there was something in mine that they thought should not be there so they checked it extra close and kept it til the check in opened and escorted me to the security check in. where i went through a special line.

once we were through we then waited.

this airport was not as crowded as JFK. which was a good sign for the state of the plane ride.

we boarded. i was all the way at the back on this flight. i thing the plane may have been longer than my house. but this was a blessing if i have ever had one. the back of the plane was practically empty. everyone got there own section. so we all did a little victory dance when the flight attendant informed us that the doors were closed and spread out to our home for the night.

this plane also had individual screens in the seats! i spent about 20 minutes overwhelmed with the choices of movies. so i watched a few and listened to some music. (i was very excited to see the steep canyon rangers on the play list as they are local band to brevard, NC and i have seen them a few times at local festivals.) and slept here and there in between.

this was a fantastic plane ride. i didn't make the poor choice on the food, i remembered my note to self. i got up and moved around a little. i watched pleasant movies, not depressing ones, and i didn't need to worry about drooling on my neighbor as i slept.

then we go to JFK.

not so fantastic. customs took an hour. then you have to recheck your bag and go back through security. this took another 45 minutes. then we had to catch a bus to our terminal. by the time a bust showed up, it was the wrong one, but close enough. so i opted for this one and left the guys i was with behind. i ran through the terminal home alone style and made just as loading started. i would have missed the flight had i walked. the guys made it just as the final boarding call rang over the speakers. if i never have to fly through JFK again, that would be fine by me.

this plane ride however was also pleasant. everyone had their own seat. i caught a nice nap and we landed safe and sound in charlotte as planned.

again, our bags all showed up just fine and we parted ways and went home to our usual lives.

airports are a weird place. but an interesting place. hopefully my life will allow me to use them more often to find new ways to see the world and those that live in it.