Tag: TSA

More Hassles

SDSpivey

In Atlanta, all 3 boarding passes printed out. But I had no boarding zone on the Polish Air ones. I asked the lady checking as people boarded and was told I had to check in with the desk, where they issued me new ones. WTF were the boarding passes that I had good for?

I had managed to charge everything beforehand, but the bottle filler was too slow to stand and wait for, so I only had a bit.

They served meals, drinks, and snacks, so I didn’t dehydrate or starve.

Surprising me was the fact that I had metal fork, spoon, and butter knife. Actual metal, not plastic or bamboo.

I won’t comment on the meal. Airline meals are to give you something to do and maybe some nourishment, they have no need for flavor or quality. Even so, you are so grateful to get it.

I couldn’t figure out how to recline, so I did the same as my neighbor and laid forward on the tray table. Not comfortable at all, but got a few hours. That’s about what I’d get at home, so that’s OK.

I had noticed during the flight, that the Orbitz app had a gate listed for my flight out of Warsaw, but never for the flight in.

While boarding and then as people were getting off, I noticed they were playing music on the PA. I thought I recognized the latter music as Chopin. Then it hit me, we were at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Duh.

I had a aisle seat, near the front, so I exited quickly. I had to use the toilet, but we were about to land, so I figured I would just wait and use a real toilet.

A man was asking people their destination and directed them accordingly (well, at least mine was right).

There was a long hallway, with signs pointing towards my gate. However, there was a crowd down near the end. There was a security ribbon splitting the hall in 2, one side for EU/Shengen citizens and the other for every one else.

I could see ahead a passport control. OK, no problem, except I notice that my flight boarded in 30 minutes and I still didn’t know how far down the gate was.

I moved through quickly enough, but I was sweating a bit with worry.

And then…

ANOTHER SECURITY CHECKPOINT!!!!!!

I was arriving at the checkpoint right as the boarding was beginning. So I quickly kicked off my shoes (I just bought velcro shoes specifically for this) and unloaded my electronics onto the belt.

And of course, the woman before me still had her shoes on and was made to return and put them on the belt, along with her jewelry, before she could re-try. They made me wait for her to finish that. Then the guard waved the wand all over her, despite never triggering the metal detector.

I had to throw my stuff back in the bags and ran down the hall holding my shoes, because I didn’t have time to stop and put them on.

I haven’t checked, but I think the flight might have arrived late. There should have been 90 minutes for me to change over, minus the 20-25 minutes where the close the doors to begin departure.

Fortunately, they had just begun loading. I felt bad for the guy next to me, as I had run all the way from security, wearing my flannel jacket and backpack, so I was sweaty. I turned on the air vent, for the first time ever, so I should have blown most away from him.

Needless to say, but I didn’t have a chance for the toilet.

Three flights, three security screenings. Crap.

I know that the next 2 are going to also, but I am really hoping the last 2 don’t. I can’t take it.

TSA, part 2

SDSpivey

After passing security and finding my gate, I had the munchies, more boredom than hunger.

I browsed around the terminal for something that looked good and found a gourmet pizza place that had reasonable prices. Not just airport reasonable, but outside reasonable, less than $11 for a 3-topping medium.

Only, they have an ordering kiosk and it only accepts credit cards. I have cash and don’t want to use my card, just in case it triggers a security alert with the bank.

All restaurants and stores, at least inside the secure area, only accept credit cards. I’m sure it is so that the airport gets a cut of sales.

Unfortunately, the banks and credit card companies no longer have a method of telling them that you’ll be traveling. So any transaction may be the one that sets off their algorithm, and cuts off my ability to use it.

Obviously, I won’t be able to use it in Russia, because of the sanctions, but I may need it in Warsaw, Istanbul, or Frankfurt airports or in Tallinn.

Also, the benches at the gate had AC and USB plugs, but none of the ones I tried worked, but later I managed to get the seat next to the wall, with an outlet.

I noticed my boarding pass was “Group 8.” Crap, I was in the last group to get on, so I had to put my case several rows forward. Worse, I was in row 32, out of 33. There were only 2 people behind me. That’s what happens if you don’t pony up more moollah for an assigned seat up front. Also, I was on the window, so I had to wait for the guy next to me to get up and leave first.

No real problems, but just aggravating.

The real problem was that I had to change terminals in O’Hare, and  that means going back through security. Wait… my second boarding pass doesn’t have PreCheck on it. Crap and more crap.

I asked the guard and they said if it doesn’t say it, I don’t get it.

So I get to trod along with the other peons through a not too long checkpoint, but I had to remove my shoes and electronics.

I asked the “terminal manager” (his words) and the answer is that even though I paid fro Precheck, the airlines have to also pay. I guess Polish Air won’t. Still, the boarding passes were printed by AA and it should have carried forward.

My 2nd and 3rd boarding passes don’t have any gate info. Looking at the departure listings, my flight was too far down the list to be shown. That’s OK, I look at the Orbitz app. Umm, it doesn’t have a gate, either. I pull up the Polish airlines app, no gate there, either.

Even my “flight tracker” app won’t tell me. It has ALL the answers.

I went pee, then refilled my water bottle (which I had to dump because of the checkpoint) and found another departure board that had a second screen, so I had my gate number. Hurrah!

Interestingly, my iPad was able to change time zone on its own, even in airplane mode and at 28,000 feet. Not sure, but I presume that since I was getting GPS, it “knew” I was in Central.

But, on the ground, my phone could not find the signal, not for several minutes.

Plus one for Apple’s TZ recognition, but then minus one again for the bad reception.

TSA PreCheck

SDSpivey

I recently paid the $78 to sign up for TSA PreCheck. I was going to get the Global, but didn’t have time before the trip.

I did not think it would really be that significant of a time difference. I spent about 2 minutes goin through security. Compared to the estimated 25-30 minutes for the “normal” people, I don’t want to be normal.

It also allows you to leave your electronics in the bag and keep your shoes on. Those alone are worth the price.