Author Topic: Digging Out in Denver  (Read 18394 times)

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smejs

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Digging Out in Denver
« on: Dec 22, 2006, 09:18 pm »
Anyone heard of the blizzard in Denver?  Well, Wednesday I was supposed to fly out to Ohio for Christmas.  I quickly realized that my 3:12 p.m. flight was probably not going to work, so booked myself a couple standby tickets.  Did not make it to the airport in time for the first one.  After spending a rapidly deteriorating drive to the airport - stopping twice to clear the ice from under my wipers - I managed to wait for a snowy shuttle, get in line, stand there forever as all possible flights started getting cancelled, and got to the counter to have them issue me a receipt.  I was one of the last lucky ones to turn around and get out of the airport.  4900 were stranded there when the road to it was closed.  As it was, I barely got my car out of the drift that had already created behind it in the parking lot, then spent another treacherous drive home, and proceeded to basically snuggle in (once my boyfriend was finally released from his show and got home through the "surreal" traffic as he described it).  Took lots of great pictures, including a progression of those out my balcony as the snow deepened, and then some gorgeous shots of the sun setting (once it finally came out yesterday) against the snow.

But 'twil definitely be a White Christmas!  Now am wondering exactly how early I need to be at the airport on the 26th for a flight for my next job!  Currently they're saying 2 to 3 hours to check in and at least another hour at security...

Erin

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #1 on: Dec 25, 2006, 03:34 pm »
I totally understand and feel your pain, Erin!  We had snow like that here about a month ago and everything was in chaos.  It actually got to the point where it was easier and safer to travel on foot than to even wait for public transportation!  I luckily live close to work, so out came all the winter gear (which you have a lot of when you've lived in central Alberta all your life  ;)) and I was off.

I am glad to hear you and your boyfriend managed to navigate the roads safely, that is the most dangerous part of all I think (that and breaking your back with all the shoveling!)  Enjoy the beauty of the snow, be safe, and good luck with your travels.  And Merry Christmas!

Jessie_K

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #2 on: Dec 26, 2006, 09:02 am »
Sorry about your snow jam, but my holiday travel delays got you a little beat . . .

Try being detained by Israeli security on Christmas Eve.

At least it all turned out well in the end and I did make it home for Christmas.

Tempest

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #3 on: Dec 27, 2006, 09:47 am »
Sorry about your snow jam, but my holiday travel delays got you a little beat . . .

Try being detained by Israeli security on Christmas Eve.

At least it all turned out well in the end and I did make it home for Christmas.

 :o  Yikes!!!  Glad everything turned out all right for you!
Jessica: "Of course I have a metric size 4 dinglehopper in my kit!  Who do you think I am?"

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #4 on: Dec 28, 2006, 12:45 pm »
...and that sounds like a story worth retelling - do share please!

Jessie_K

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #5 on: Dec 28, 2006, 01:11 pm »
Israeli airport adventures...

Well, I had been briefly detained and questioned on my way into the country, so I was kind of hoping that I could avoid any hassle on the way out.

So wrong.  I was so wrong.  I guess I fit a profile (non-Jewish 20-something American woman with dyed red hair traveling by herself with pretty extensive travel history including an Arab nation).

I was immediately sent off into a separate line (before I could even approach the check-in counter) and taken aside for questioning:

"What is the origin of your last name?  What religion do you practice?  What lagnuages do you speak?"  and (this is weird) "I am sorry to ask such a personal question, but what is your job?"  (It's nice to know that even though my religion and ethnicity are not personal, my job is.)

Then they put yellow stickers on all my bags and passport.  Off the x-ray (still not at check-in counter).  Go through x-ray and get sent off to another screening area.

I wait for about 15 minutes as they select other people to search, but don't take me.  Finally, I am picked.

They take my passport and ask me more questions.  More about my job, who I was seeing in Israel, my previous trips to the middle east, etc.

Then they start the search.  Something is wrong with one of my bags.  They won't tell me what.  But they ask a lot of questions about it.  Where/ when did I buy it, what do I usually use it for, who has used the bag, what is this tear here, etc?

They tell me I can't take the bag on the plane.  They tell me I can't really take anything on the plane.  I am allowed to bring my wallet and after some bargaining on my part, my tampons.

Everything else must go in the checked luggage (incuding cell phone).  Which they then start to examine.  They take the clips off and scan them separately, they go through my dirty underwear.  They talk to each other in Hebrew a lot.  (I imagine they are making fun of my socks, at least I hope that's what they are saying).

While they continue to go through my bags, I am taken aside by a lady (the men still have my ticket and passport).  I go into a room and wait.  And wait and wait.  I ask what time it is.  (They have begun boarding my plane)

Then I get searched.  Metal detector, wand, pat down, shoes, belt, etc.  I get through this just fine and no body cavity search is necessary.  But they did check my chapstick a couple of times.

Then I am taken back to the area where my bags are.  They are all re-packed.  And I am handed a sealed box.  "This is all the stuff we couldn't fit back in."

They had checked me into my flight (relief) and repacked my bags while I was away (not as much relief).

A man escorts me to the bag check area (kind of dangling my passport in front of me like a carrot), we drop of my bags (in two separate locations which makes me nervous).

Then the guy takes me directly to passport control.  Do not stop at duty-free, do not go to the bathroom.  (I was actually told this directly).

Anyway, that's most of the adventure.  I get painlessly through passport control with my wallet and tampons and make my flight on time.  Amazingly enough so did my luggage and the extra box.

Thankfully, I had left my leatherman at home . . .

dwj0772

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #6 on: Dec 28, 2006, 04:59 pm »
Yikes - I've done a fair bit of travelling (both pre and post 9-11), but no stories like that.  They do say Israeli airport security is by far the most stringent. 

MarcieA

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #7 on: Dec 29, 2006, 10:48 am »
Wow. That's scary, and it stinks!

Even worse than my trip...when I was interrogated because I was going to see family, and who were they and what did they do, did I prefer to be interrogated in English or Hebrew, etc, etc, etc.

That was on the way there. I was detained briefly on the way home b/c I apparently look nothing like my passport photo. Another fun interlude on my international journey.

Anyway, glad you're home safe now, you 20-something red-headed shiksa girl!
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Jessie_K

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #8 on: Dec 29, 2006, 11:10 am »
Well, I try to keep a positive attitude about it.  It is their country, they are in an area of extreme turmoil, I am a visitor.  And I would rather get searched and carry nothing on the plane and be safe than the alternative.

Also the rest of my trip was amazing.  There are great things worth seeing that you can only see in Jerusalem, so the ordeal was worth it for me.

killerdana

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #9 on: Dec 30, 2006, 03:21 am »
Despite the added hassle (and there's always hassle--even when you aren't detained or searched), I always feel safest on planes out of Israel.  I feel like their security is at least a little less arbitrary than airport security in the US.
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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #10 on: Dec 31, 2006, 07:50 pm »
1. EJ- Did you make it to Ohio?! I hope so!

2. WOW- I've been in and out of Israel A BUNCH (family) and have never been through anything like that & I have terrible Hebrew!

3. I got bumped from 3 flights in my holiday travels- and I didn't leave the country or travel through Denver... sigh.

Happy end-of-the Holidays!

smejs

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #11 on: Jan 01, 2007, 10:44 pm »
Nope, never made it to Ohio for Christmas.  Shoveled out of the blizzard, and got one other dusting of snow while I was there.  Was able to fly out on the 26th for my (current) job in Sarasota.  They've had another foot of snow in the "blizzard" this week, and due for more later in the week it sounds like.  (And FYI, Kay and I just crossed paths...she flew from Ohio to Denver to see her daughter just in time to miss me...)

Erin

EDIT: Not this Kay! --PSMKay
« Last Edit: Jan 02, 2007, 04:50 am by PSMKay »

MarcieA

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #12 on: Jan 02, 2007, 11:46 am »
(And FYI, Kay and I just crossed paths...she flew from Ohio to Denver to see her daughter just in time to miss me...)


That stinks! We had talked about you two seeing each other, I'm sorry! Her Anne Sexton thing is in 2 weeks, I'll have to let you know all about it.

Where are you in Sarasota?
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smejs

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #13 on: Jan 02, 2007, 09:56 pm »
Quote
Where are you in Sarasota?

Sarasota Opera.  First time doing "real" opera (other than educational tours).  Different.

Erin

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Re: Digging Out in Denver
« Reply #14 on: Jan 03, 2007, 01:24 pm »
I guess no one wants to hear about my Christmas in Hawaii...?

Ow - okay - stop...
Wow, those Denver snowballs hurt!!!
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