I travel a lot for my job, so I try to NOT fly when I don’t need to for personal things. However, sometimes it is essential. Alas, as it is often around holidays or other “busy” times, I often get to see some insanity. Today is one of those days.
First, with the merger between US Airways and American Airlines, my Star Alliance gold lever no longer gets me perks on US Airways. Suckage. It is nice to not be relegated to the last boarding group, and to have my bag checked for free. I would have carried on, but I know that as being in boarding group 5, I am screwed, and will end up checking it. Additionally, I no longer get to pick an aisle or window seat without an extra charge. Fuck that, it is an hour and thirty minute flight, I will take a damn middle seat.
All that is expected and grudgingly tolerated as part of the air travel theater. But invariably there is some insanity in the checkin process. To wit:
In front of me at the bag drop was a “loosely knit” family. 6 people with 3 last names traveling with about 15 bags, and two cat carriers. All kinds of dickering was going on to allocate the baggage fees to minimize cost (saving maybe $15). I sat there for over 20 minutes before the agent just checked my prepaid bag. As I was walking away, I was still listening to this “family” try to arrange the baggage allocation to minimize the cost. Sheesh.
However, there is a bright light, being TSA PreCheck makes the security process awesome. No mm wave back scatter, no removing computer/shoes/belt. Security like it used to be. Bliss
