Leaving CO!

When I was leaving Colorado (earlier today) I had to leave for the Denver Airport very early. Checking-in at Southwest was even more difficult than at my local, smaller airport. There was a Southwest employee (a guy) who was supposed to separate the crowds of people into those being forced to use the kiosks and do everything themselves and those who were allowed to go to the full service counters. He kept messing up where he was sending people and then would get mad at the people who went to the wrong place. Once I checked everything in myself we followed signs to the furthest TSA security line (on the opposite side of the airport we were on.) There were signs saying it was a short wait, but that was a lie. There were around 1,000 people crammed in a very small area and everything moved so slowly. It was not organized, but just complete chaos. After security you have to take the train to one of the terminals, but there aren’t many boards or signs telling you which gate your flight was at so it was one of those you just have to know kind of things – which is stupid at an airport.

I got to my gate and was able to board first. Yesterday there were lots of cancellations, delays and diversions in the Northeast due to thunderstorms and rain (while it was sunny and nice in Colorado) and so both flights were completely full. On my flight to BWI an old man sat next to me and a younger woman sat next to him. They didn’t know each other, but by the end of the flight they had told each other their whole life’s story (most of which seemed like a bunch of fabrications.) I couldn’t help but laugh at what they were saying to each other. I was very glad to be able to leave the plane when it landed because it was becoming too much – listening to them. On my next flight the only “excitement” was that a very old man who looked and dressed like a 1970s Italian mobster sat next to me. It was pretty funny.

When we landed my bag was the 3rd one out and I was able to get my car, leave the airport and get home without much hassle despite it being rush hour and there being lots of construction on the highways.