SSSS
Seems I had nothing to worry about concerning our ride to the airport this morning. Vadim picked us up promptly at 6AM. I had to laugh a little, since he was bundled up in full winter gear - puffy coat and all - but it was a bit chilly. Not so much so that Kris or I were wearing more than the extra sweatshirt layer, but the temperature definately dropped a good 25 degrees last night. Nothing compared to the cold we’d encounter as we left the airport this evening, but still brisk.
Well, it seems I’ve wandered somewhat off the topic I’d chosen for this post. Yes, it was chilly, yes we had no problems getting to the airport, but thank someone we got there as early as we did.
No problems getting ticketed, but for some reason the John Wayne International Airport, which is not even bigger than the airport in Manchester, NH, for crying out loud, has EXTREMELY long lines for security. A word to the wise for anyone who may be flying out of there from someone in the know - it’s a small airport, but get there AT LEAST an HOUR early. I don’t know why, but the security lines at JW rival those in Boston. How is this possible for such a small airport?
Well, your wait will be unduely extended if you are lucky enough to be randomly selected for the Super Special Security Screen - or at least that’s what Kris and I took SSSS on our tickets to mean. As if the line could get any longer. Needless to say we were both displeased at being shuffled through a “dump out your bags” search, and having the pleasure of being felt up at 6:30 in the morning.
Argh. Because of the security screen, we almost missed our flight. Nearly everyone had already boarded, and we might have missed the flight if I hadn’t noticed someone going through the previously closed door which led down the ramp to our plane. Not a fun way to start off the morning.
Not much trouble with our connecting flight, except it left a bit late, and our pilot lied about making up time. So we got into cold Newark about half an hour late. My father picked us up, and I realized just how much crap (with the excuse of “terrorism”) the Bush Administration has put people through. There’s a bunch of covered parking spots which can no longer be utilized because some crazy loon might try to park a car-bomb there. Ironically, the place where my father had parked was literally only 50 feet away from this covered parking area. Wouldn’t it be just as easy to park a car THERE and do some damage? I sometimes wonder if I’m the only person who thinks about these things.
So to sum up our day, thank you “terrorism.” Seriously. I really enjoyed being felt up at the crack of dawn by a complete stranger, almost missing my flight, and having to walk out of a perfectly useful parking area to another, uncovered, weather-filled, parking lot.
