Successfully navigated the customs gambit with nary a furled brow on the part of our agent who couldn't have been nicer or more efficient. Part of that MAY have had to do with our "secret weapon" (more on that to come) but we didn't notice anyone actually having any "issues" on our flight.
So next it's on to that wonderful family game we all love to play...."Will MY luggage be the only one to fail to make an appearance at the end of the belt?"
Let's review the odds - three flight legs involving two different airlines, three countries, three gate changes, arriving in the middle of the night in a foreign country with language skills approaching those of deaf parrot. Real good chance this is going to work out favorably.
Then, just to add a little bit of drama to what is rapidly becoming a hotbed of frazzled nervedom - consider the fact that our US cell phones became dysfunctional ornaments after leaving Orlando and we've not been able to confirm our hotel shuttle pickup at the airport. Once again....in a world where one could actually "count on" others doing their jobs it wouldn't be an issue, in ours though................
Somehow it all came together. Call it proper star alignment, luck of the draw, living the righteous life (hey, 1 out of 2 should count for something!), or the Shamanic influence of the Andes - call it what you will and we're ok with it.
In hindsight, we're putting our money on two specific items.
First, someone had the foresight to design the trip in such a way as to mentally "prepare" the participants for what might lie ahead.
First leg EWR to MCO. Domestic leg with bags checked through internationally. Does the $50 fee for first (and every) checked bag apply or not? (It didn't) As is always the case at EWR, our flight is assigned to the gate at the VERY end of the terminal (are ALL flights assigned to that gate?). Then, of course, when you hear the announcement that it's boarding - BUT going to West Palm instead of Orlando guess why? - gates been changed to the one all the way at the other end of the terminal. Hey, at least they are consistent- that should count for something.
To the rescue our "secret weapon" to which I alluded before.
Our final party will consist of three generations - my Mom, us, and our Son. He will be arriving tomorrow and traveling alone but with the same itinerary. Today it's just us and my Mom who at her age amazes all that know her with her willingness to hop in the car or on a plane at the proverbial drop of a hat and "go". While she continues to put to shame many a mere fraction of her age, there comes a time when doing an "OJ" through the airport to react to a last minute gate change that requires crossing multiple county lines - just isn't going to happen.
Hence the "secret weapon" reference.
For those of you contemplating airline travel we can only suggest you include in your plans your version of my Mom. Yours, if she's available, a suitable substitute relative, or if none are either available or willing grab anyone off the street that meets the qualifications if need be. Trust me, if the positive "family" benefits aren't enough to convince you to do the right thing, the "secret weapon" benefits will be.
All kidding aside, I don't have a clue what it was that prompted the airlines (at least those we dealt with) to become some proactive when it comes to accommodating (at least some of) the needs of our seniors and others of those with "accessibility" issues. I'd like to believe it was borne of a good heart and burning desire to be good corporate citizens and just do the "right thing". I'd like too to believe in the Tooth Fairy. Whatever the reason, and to whomever it is that we owe a debt of gratitude for getting it accomplished, I am thankful for the results have been a significant increase in the ease in which they are able to navigate the strictures of modern day airport confines.
Both Continental and Copa Airlines provided exemplary service in what would otherwise had been essentially an impossible situation on more than one occasion, given the time constraints and physical distances involved.
While I am in NO WAY suggesting or inferring that anyone abuse the system that they have in place for those truly in need, I will wholeheartedly advise that you avail yourself of it should your circumstances dictate the need.
There isn't much "nice" that can be said about air travel these days. In the course of my lifetime they've (that elusive "they") managed to transform what was a truly enjoyable, efficient, positive experience and turn it into one that ranks right up there on the "drudgery" list of things to do.
That at least one small portion of it can make life a little easier for those that deserve it most - matters.
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