Bare essentials

I just breezed through security with a full bottle of water in my backpack. Hm. I have yet to go to the gate so perhaps there's another security check-point. One hopes.

It's not that I think bringing a bottle of water is bad. I prefer to be able to keep it. But I went in knowing full well I would have to toss it if I didn't get thirsty first.

As a frequent traveler, I have the dilemma of trying to figure out what to carry on and what to check in. I long gave up on solely carry on, especially with the liquid restrictions and my tendency to bring some forbidden object such as tweezers, a pocket knife, or a leatherman.

Some seasoned travelers such as my father have it down to a science. I don't.

At the very least I will have on my being:
- a travel journal and pen,
- travel wallet with all necessary papers and documents
- cash in US dollars
- two credit cards
- chapstick
- two packets of tissues
- a point-and-shoot camera
- an iPod and headphones
- a sweater or jacket
- dental floss

For trips where I don't trust my suitcase to get there with me or where I know I can't get an easy replacement in the hotel:
- Base basics in toiletries
- Set of clean underwear and socks
- Fully charged mobile
- Writing paper
- Reading material
- SLR camera

A lot of it also depends on which airline I fly. I have huge confidence in Thai Airways. Singapore Airlines I know I don't have to even think. United is quite good with providing basic amenities to a business traveler.

With all the flack about air travel, the fact is airlines providing international travel so still provide an excellent level of provisions, all things considered. Blanket for the cold, shower facilities for long layovers if one has enough mileage status to access the lounge. Plenty of water refills in flight to the point I have to plead them to stop refilling so I don't have to keep going. (if you must ask why I feel obligated to drink it's because they top off the glass to the point it will spill when the plane hits turbulence.)

I consider it a matter of pride that I know and do go through the metal detectors without a beep. Some security checkpoints now ask us to not only lay out our laptops apart from the bag, but also our mobiles. I have yet to do it. From my engineering standpoint, I fail to see the difference between an mobile from an iPod or camera. And with all the times I passed through, they never called out my bag to dig out the mobile, validating my belief that the pointless exercise would not be worth my hassle.

Back to my bottle of water. I wonder if it will fly with me this afternoon. It's my first time departing from this particular airport, so I'll have to report back once I get through this leg of travel.

Work ethic or what?

What I don't understand is the lack of a sense of follow through here.

When the PAD protesters stormed the airport, the Thai Airways employees ditched the airport altogether. No contingency to get all the passengers placed in hotels. No system in place to make announcements. They put up "closed" signs on the check in counters that read "CLOSED. Contact _________" with the blank left, well, blank.

No one is picking up any of the customer service phone lines.
The airline webpage until this evening said nothing about the disruption in service. The current message now explains what had happened up to now, but not how to anticipate when to get back to the airport.

What cracks me up, though, was the initial announcement on Suvarnbhumi webpage: "Airport operations is closed due to leave." So that the reason the airport wasn't functioning was because people chose not to go to work, not because the protesters were there. They changed the page just tonight, now citing "for security reasons."

Sadly, now everyone else gets to experience what I had too much off: the Thai people's inability to respond to urgency.

TRAPPED!

For the first time in its six month history, PAD protesters stormed Bangkok's International Airport.

To emphasize how monumental that is, many have assumed that the Suvarnabhumi Airport was some sort of sacred neutral ground. While protesters have sat on roadways leading into the airport in September, they have not disrupted the international travel. When I announced the news to a couple of coworkers, including one who has been living in Thailand for almost a decade, he dismissed me, saying I am confusing it with Don Muang, the old international and now lesser used airport in Bangkok.

No air travel through Bangkok is operating. There has been no mention of transfering any minimum business to Don Muang.

My next thought is how long until the expat community, and ultimately the international community, decide they won't tolerate this anymore?

10... 9... 8... 7... countdown until parents call in a frenzy demanding I be safe.

Big Sky, Montana, here I am!

What a tiresome trip getting here. A huge part of it is very much my own fault. Not a morning person to the fault, I push the limits of how late I can check-in at the airport. Three weeks ago, I checked in at 20 minutes prior to departure, with checked bag, and got on. My bag met me at the airport as expected. So, yes, I push limits, especially with small airports.

Ladies, do as I say but do not do as I do. I, again, pushed my limits this morning, getting to Dulles. Big mistake. Dulles is a big airport, they do NOT make exceptions. Even if my flight was delayed over 30 minutes and with that adjustment I was at the airport well over an hour prior to departure time. No indeed. With a ski bag and a big rolling duffel, United was not letting me check into my flight although I technically could make the flight.

There's another lesson: If you find yourself in that situation, be flexible and be polite. That, I did. The attendant did put me on standby for a later flight which got my luggage and me through security. Did not make the first flight but was automatically rolled over to the following flight. Not only did I make the second plane, I got business class seating. Well, can't complain now, can I?

Once in Denver, the customer service agent was very confused about my tickets and how I got to Denver (my original itinerary put me to Chicago O'Hare). A short but honest explanation got an understanding nod and a seated ticket.

Total travel time since departure from home to settling into hotel: 15 hours. But I got here. I had to remind myself this is a vacation. That I was in no rush. And that made the trip, which sleep-deprived, a whole lot smoother.