(no subject)
Feb. 22nd, 2004 05:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
urocyonI'm home now--actually got in last night. It still feels a little strange being here, and having to let the animals in and out approximately a trillion times an hour.
The trip started out pleasant enough, though![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
vatine and I were short on sleep heading to Gatwick. We'd remembered to stop by and arrange a cab the night before (for 8 a.m.--urgh!), so the initial leg was more pleasant than if we'd gone by rail. We got there and checked in with plenty of time to spare, so were able to have a somewhat leisurely breakfast and spend a little (drowsy) time together before I, reluctantly, had to clear security. Knowing I'm supposed to go back in roughly five weeks--a welcome, if slightly unexpected, birthday present *g*--does make things a bit easier. I still got choked up.
I was struck again by the difference between current airport security approaches. When I set off the metal detector in Gatwick, nobody decided to treat me like a dangerous miscreant; I just got a perfunctory patting-down. This strongly contrasts with the reaction when I set one off at Dulles, last time through there, which was rather scary. To be fair, people generally do seem to consider me exceedingly harmless in airports, no matter where.
The flight to Philly was reasonably uneventful, once it finally boarded, and I managed to nap in spite of the oppressive heat. This time, I had no chocolate with which to gauge the temperature as on the flight over, but it did feel just as hot this time around. Preparing by wearing short sleeves didn't help much. Next time, I'll be sure to remember to bring headphones along; I'm just not going to pay US Airways $5 or £3 for a set. Ah well--I tend to be glad to have a reasonably inexpensive seat on flights from Roanoke, even if US Airways does come across as a collection of cheap bastards trying to nickel-and-dime people to death (especially compared to BA).
After landing, I was reminded of how little I like Philadelphia International Airport. It took forever to collect my one bag and clear Customs, feeling like some sort of prisoner all the while, the way things are laid out. The near-endless waiting's effect on my nerves was not helped by repeatedly being startled by another waiting passenger's Tourette's-induced vocalisations. (I don't mean to sound harsh; I'm sure travelling was rough on him.) After I finally got to hand over my Customs form, I put my bag on a belt for the connecting flight, and proceeded to wait in the US Airways connecting flights line, where we were penned in like sheep.
By this point, my nerves were really acting up. I'm not particularly prone to claustrophobic reactions, but after about 20 minutes pushing forward in that mob, I had one--once the exit to the gates had just come in sight, no less. *sigh* There was no other visible exit without going over top of people, so I attempted to cut out around a rope (it had not been open enough to do that, previously) and head for the front of the building, only to be stopped by a security person. When questioned, I did explain to her that I was having trouble with claustrophobia--and the panic attacks were likely showing all over my face--so she directed me to a better route to an exit. I was already concerned about the short time before the flight to Roanoke, but taking a few minutes outside worked out just as well; the line from that entrance was shorter. *g*
The puddlejumper to Roanoke was supposed to leave at 4:45, and I got started hiking from Terminal A to Terminal F slightly after 4:15. From what I could tell, there was, in fact, no better means of transport than the walkway I'd used before. I did spot a not-so-obvious sign for a shuttle to Terminal F after I'd hoofed it to Terminal C, and was glad I had; taking that was the only way I managed to squeak onto the flight. I made it to the gate after 4:30, but they did let me board--I was the last one to do so. Rarely have I been gladder to get on a plane.
That leg allowed some sorely-needed relaxation--and was not hot--though the landing was pretty bumpy thanks to wind. It was kind of funny how much I enjoyed even seeing the mountains from the air, as we approached. I was glad to see my parents, and we went for a nice, relaxing supper on the way home. B.B. and Bungee were immediately glad to see me; Murky took a more laid-back approach and only accosted me this morning.
Today I'm still tired, but the jet lag does seem worse travelling the other way. I'm already missingvatine, which is probably not shocking. :)
The trip started out pleasant enough, though
vatine and I were short on sleep heading to Gatwick. We'd remembered to stop by and arrange a cab the night before (for 8 a.m.--urgh!), so the initial leg was more pleasant than if we'd gone by rail. We got there and checked in with plenty of time to spare, so were able to have a somewhat leisurely breakfast and spend a little (drowsy) time together before I, reluctantly, had to clear security. Knowing I'm supposed to go back in roughly five weeks--a welcome, if slightly unexpected, birthday present *g*--does make things a bit easier. I still got choked up.I was struck again by the difference between current airport security approaches. When I set off the metal detector in Gatwick, nobody decided to treat me like a dangerous miscreant; I just got a perfunctory patting-down. This strongly contrasts with the reaction when I set one off at Dulles, last time through there, which was rather scary. To be fair, people generally do seem to consider me exceedingly harmless in airports, no matter where.
The flight to Philly was reasonably uneventful, once it finally boarded, and I managed to nap in spite of the oppressive heat. This time, I had no chocolate with which to gauge the temperature as on the flight over, but it did feel just as hot this time around. Preparing by wearing short sleeves didn't help much. Next time, I'll be sure to remember to bring headphones along; I'm just not going to pay US Airways $5 or £3 for a set. Ah well--I tend to be glad to have a reasonably inexpensive seat on flights from Roanoke, even if US Airways does come across as a collection of cheap bastards trying to nickel-and-dime people to death (especially compared to BA).
After landing, I was reminded of how little I like Philadelphia International Airport. It took forever to collect my one bag and clear Customs, feeling like some sort of prisoner all the while, the way things are laid out. The near-endless waiting's effect on my nerves was not helped by repeatedly being startled by another waiting passenger's Tourette's-induced vocalisations. (I don't mean to sound harsh; I'm sure travelling was rough on him.) After I finally got to hand over my Customs form, I put my bag on a belt for the connecting flight, and proceeded to wait in the US Airways connecting flights line, where we were penned in like sheep.
By this point, my nerves were really acting up. I'm not particularly prone to claustrophobic reactions, but after about 20 minutes pushing forward in that mob, I had one--once the exit to the gates had just come in sight, no less. *sigh* There was no other visible exit without going over top of people, so I attempted to cut out around a rope (it had not been open enough to do that, previously) and head for the front of the building, only to be stopped by a security person. When questioned, I did explain to her that I was having trouble with claustrophobia--and the panic attacks were likely showing all over my face--so she directed me to a better route to an exit. I was already concerned about the short time before the flight to Roanoke, but taking a few minutes outside worked out just as well; the line from that entrance was shorter. *g*
The puddlejumper to Roanoke was supposed to leave at 4:45, and I got started hiking from Terminal A to Terminal F slightly after 4:15. From what I could tell, there was, in fact, no better means of transport than the walkway I'd used before. I did spot a not-so-obvious sign for a shuttle to Terminal F after I'd hoofed it to Terminal C, and was glad I had; taking that was the only way I managed to squeak onto the flight. I made it to the gate after 4:30, but they did let me board--I was the last one to do so. Rarely have I been gladder to get on a plane.
That leg allowed some sorely-needed relaxation--and was not hot--though the landing was pretty bumpy thanks to wind. It was kind of funny how much I enjoyed even seeing the mountains from the air, as we approached. I was glad to see my parents, and we went for a nice, relaxing supper on the way home. B.B. and Bungee were immediately glad to see me; Murky took a more laid-back approach and only accosted me this morning.
Today I'm still tired, but the jet lag does seem worse travelling the other way. I'm already missing
vatine, which is probably not shocking. :)