Fear of Flying

The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage. ~ Mark Russell

As I type this, I'm back home again and our Alaskan cruise is a collection of memories--moments of exaltation and frustration, of joy and tiredness, of laughter and surprises. It was such a full time with so many moving parts, I didn't feel I could do justice to the experience if I blogged while it was happening. So I took copious notes and, if you're willing to pretend with me, I'll share the trip as if it's happening now. Thanks for your patience! Ready to hit the road with me? Great! Let's go...

September 24, 2021

I woke before the alarm sounded at 5:30 AM and couldn't stay in bed another second. There were so many things to do--stripping the bed and remaking it with fresh linens for our house/pet sitter, stashing last minute toiletries in easy-to-access places in our carry-on's, making breakfast frittatas because I didn't know if/when we'd be able to have a real meal again during our travels, running through the checklist once more hoping I hadn't forgotten something frightfully important.

And generally fretting over whether everything would go to plan and everyone would be happy with the adventure we'd arranged for them...

#2 Daughter's view from the cheap seats!

(If you're reading this blog on Follow it! be aware that vids don't seem to appear in your email.)

We'd loaded my parents' suitcase last night, so we only had to fit all our carry-on's into the van when we picked them up at 8:15 AM. Poor #2 Daughter was totally surrounded by luggage in her third row seat but she was all set with a pillow and blanket to sleep all the way to St. Louis (about a 4 hour drive from our town). #1 Daughter and D-I-L met us at the Love's service station thirty miles into the trip and we had smooth sailing until we reached St. Louis. Our first flight was scheduled for 4:45 that afternoon, but I had built a lot of  room into our schedule and sort of bullied everyone into going way early...just in case something happened to delay us. 

My presentiments were proved correct. 

There was a terrible accident on the interstate that backed up and closed 4 lanes of traffic for about 10 miles. We ended up veering off the interstate and taking a more circuitous route to Lambert International, but still arrived with plenty of time to spare. The one thing you don't want to do with a party of seven, soon to be eight, is try to hurry anywhere. 

The DH and #1 Daughter dropped us at the arrivals door and then tried to find a place to park. The lot was so full, the DH ended up parking in a non-spot, but there was no help for it. There wasn't another single space. Now I need to wonder if the van will still be there in a week...

Meanwhile back with the drop-off-ee's... Unfortunately, there was no curbside check-in available and we'd been deposited a long way from the restrooms (My dad said he had to walk a “city block” to the men's.) Another thing that added to everyone's difficulties is that masks are mandatory in all parts of the airport, whether you're hauling suitcases, walking, or just sitting. I don't care what anyone says, masks make it difficult for even healthy people to breathe.

Hundreds of new army recruits just out of basic were booked on our flight so the line to reach the agents who'd check us in stretched into infinity. #1 Daughter's was suitcase overweight by four pounds, requiring a shuffle at the last minute, stuffing things into her carry-on. (Which begs the question, since both the checked bag and the carry-on was going on the same flight, what does shifting from one to the other accomplish except avoiding an additional fee? All the weight is still going on board.)

We had requested wheelchairs for my mom and dad, who are 84 and 86 respectively, and one for me so they wouldn't feel funny riding in a chair. Only one showed up, so we all decided to walk to the TSA line. We took our time, but the downside of this decision was that we didn’t get bumped to the front of the line like we would’ve if we'd been in wheel chairs. Mom and Dad were flagging by the time we serpentined around to the first TSA agent who checked our passports against our momentarily unmasked faces. Then we all made it through the dreaded Filthy Grey Bin phase of the gauntlet and past the x-ray, after which I was still patted down for some odd reason and #2 Daughter was scolded for bringing an extension cord in her cpap case. This was something she'll need in order to use the machine on the Norwegian Encore. There are no electrical outlets by the side of the beds so she'll have to string the extension cord across her cabin to the outlets in the desk area. Fortunately the agents didn't confiscate it and waved her through after fussing at her for a few minutes. 

It's kind of disconcerting when you've packed everything so precisely and then have to shuffle everything around again. And I was fretting about whether anyone would misplace their passports or those all important CDC cards and how my parents were faring since we still had a long slog to reach our departure gate. However, we all made the jaunt with our possessions in tow and after finding a burger joint past security, everyone’s spirits ticked upward.

Food really is a mind-altering substance! 

Only Mom, Dad, the DH and I were allowed early boarding. Because the flight was completely full, both Daughters volunteered to gate check their carry-ons. (Wonderful. Two more bags that may or may not make all the connections...another potential disaster to fret over!) We were situated in coach near the back of the plane, but still much to be thankful for. We all made it on board. I got a text from Nephew that he'd started the first leg of his journey from Rapid City, SD to Minneapolis, MN (which seems like a weird way to get to Seattle, but such are the vagaries of air travel!)

We were met at the gate in Phoenix with two wheel chairs for my mom and dad! I could've wept with relief! Then we were upgraded to economy plus for flight to Seattle, which gave us all much more room. Nephew texted again that he was on his second flight and was at least headed west by that time. He'd beat us to Seattle by several hours if all went well. 

When we reached SeaTac, wheel chairs were waiting for three of us. All our bags arrived, even the gate-checked ones. Hallelujah! Once we reacquired all our stuff, there was still lots of walking to find the precise pick-up for our hotel shuttle. When we arrived at the hotel, the first front desk person couldn't find our reservations, though Nephew was already there and had checked in. A second clerk managed to locate us as Nephew came down to the lobby to greet everyone. 

It was nearly midnight (make that 2 AM to us!) The day had been filled with little moments of anxiety, wondering how everyone would do with the hurdles we had to jump to reach our embarkation city. I'd almost made myself sick fretting over how everyone was doing with the stresses of the day. 

#1 Daughter gave me some words of wisdom. All my worrying didn't change a thing. The day unfolded as it did and my anxiety didn't change anything for good or ill. We'd provided a situation where everyone could be happy if they choose to be. What everyone chooses is up to them. 

How did I raise such a wise child?