I have just returned from a long, long, road trip from Florida to California. This has become an annual event at our house. This year was different though. It was my mother’s 80th birthday celebration. She enjoyed the celebration and has at long last told the truth about her age. I finally learned how old my mother is after all these years.
This year’s trip was different as the grandkids and I flew to Florida from California. It was an adventure for all of us. My first trip with the kids and no other adults to interfere (I mean help) with them. It was the oldest grandchild’s first time truly understanding what was happening and not just being pushed along by an adult. It was the youngest grandchild’s first ever airplane ride.
The plane trip was an adventure from the beginning. Hubby drove us to the airport and mom came along as well. Hubby pulled up to the curb and we all exited the car. Hubby took the luggage out of the car and placed it on the curb. I got the attention of the skycap (they still call them that; don’t they?) and asked about checking the largest bag with him. I turned around after our conversation to see hubby pulling away from the curb. Geez, not even a good-bye hug? I turned back to the skycap and he handed me the boarding passes for the three of us.
The kids were all ready heading into the terminal and walking towards the security checkpoint. We left from LAX airport which is not known for having short lines. I asked the kids if a bathroom trip was in order and they agreed we should stop and use the facilities. After the bathroom we found the entrance to the security check point. The nice man at the entrance stated that we were at the wrong security checkpoint and directed us to the other end of the terminal. He assured me that this was a good thing, so we headed off to the other end of the terminal. I was just glad we had allowed for two hours to reach our gate.
We traversed the length of the terminal and found an escalator heading up. The kids, with their vast knowledge of airports, assured me that we were going the right way. We headed up the escalator and were met at the top by a female security person who checked out boarding passes before allowing us to go further. She asked the kids some questions that seemed friendly. I think she was checking to make sure I wasn’t kidnapping them. They were happy to answer her questions and she let us go on to the next security point. The man behind the podium asked the kids questions about their boarding passes and then asked me for my ID before allowing us to continue to the next check point.
At the next check point we placed our backpacks and carry-on luggage in the plastic bins and sent them down the metal rolling things. The security guy waived the kids through the metal detector and they were looking for the luggage on the other side. I walked through the metal detector and it sounds that loud beeping thing that means you have metal on you. I’m standing there looking at the security person. He’s standing there looking at me and the kids on the other side trying to get the luggage. He brings up the wand and starts towards me. The only thing I’m thinking is; how do I get to the kids? Then I remember that I have a metal barrette in my hair. I point to it; the security guy sees it and waves me through.
We get to the gate and have an hour to wait for the plane. It’s late of course so we waited more than an hour. Once on the plane I discovered how to get the internet on each of the kid’s tablets, found everyone a headset, and downloaded movies for them to watch. The flight crew came around and asked what we wanted to eat; and of course, the only thing that the kids would eat had been sold out. We opted for the snack box because everything else was disgusting; even for an adult.
We get to our next stop and must change planes. Our connecting flight is late. The reader board says that it’s going to be two hours late. Two hours of waiting in an airport. With two small children. At midnight.
Our connecting flight shows up after three hours and everyone gets onboard. The captain comes on the speaker and says that there is an issue with the flight. They make us deplane and have no further information. I’m stuck at an airport with two small kids at 2 AM. No snack bars are open. All the electrical outlets are in use. Some passengers have demanded and received a hotel room for the night. Did I mention that I am traveling with two small children?
Thankfully the kids entertained themselves well and in doing so entertained some of the other kids that were waiting with us. They are good kids and take everything in stride. The person at the podium announces that the captain is being escorted to the plane. The only thing the kids remember is that everyone at the gate cheered. We finally get on the plane and arrive at our destination only three hours late. The pilot knew how to make up some time. The kids got to meet their great-uncle for the first time at 3:00 AM in an airport.
In my next post I’ll discuss some of our adventures on the trip home.