Leaving from Long Beach
Trip Start
Jul 20, 2007
1
4
Trip End
Aug 23, 2007
Long Beach, California, United States
Saturday, July 21, 2007
To begin, I highly recommend flying out of smaller airports. Normally when I head for Europe it's directly from LAX to another big airport. This year, though, I took a bit more circuitous route and flew out of Long Beach instead. So, why do I recommend a smaller airport? First, getting there was so much easier. I walked to the bus stop, paid $1.00, and arrived in about 15 minutes at the airport. Second, checking in was a breeze. I flew Jet Blue, and there wasn't much of a line, so check-in went quickly. Fortunately, I had packed well enough so that I was half a pound under weight on my checked bag. Third, the security check is much more relaxed. That isn't to say less thorough, but with the smaller volume of travelers, the personnel isn't as tense. When I got to security and they asked about liquids, gels, etc., I found out that my new tube of toothpaste wasn't allowed. It was 4.2 oz, and only up to 3 oz is allowed. Since I had checked in long before going through security, I simply gave up the toothpaste and decided I would buy a new tube once I arrived. Then the lady at the checkpoint told me about her having been on vacation and having to hurry to the airport. She hadn't even put her things in a plastic bag, so when they got to security they had lots of hassle getting through. She laughed and said she wasn't about to tell them she works for TSA herself. I can't imagine a security checker at LAX taking the time to tell a story to a passenger. Of course, there weren't any other passengers behind me in line - something that's unlikely to be the case in LA.
After waiting for a while at the gate they finally called our flight and we boarded. Jet Blue has more leg room than most other carriers, but I sat in the exit row anyway. There's always a greater distance between the rows there, since people would have to get out in an emergency. It was a nice flight, and the pilot managed to avoid most of the turbulence. Still, I was glad it wasn't any longer. A little more than an hour after take-off we were landing in Las Vegas.
Why Las Vegas? I hear some of you ask. More on that in my next episode. Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you, the Lord be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
