Off we go into the wild blue yonder.
Travel mornings always come early; exacerbated by a lack of coffee. ABIA is notorious for long pre-dawn lines and today is no exception. Fortunately, I travel light. More on that later.
This is my first oconus trip with no technology other than a phone in 15 years. I’m going with only my backpack that I would use on any other day; easily seen in any travel photo book of mine in over a decade. I checked in online and have both TSA Pre-check and a service called Clear. On this morning, Clear is ridiculous.
The Clear line is 100 people long at 0500 on a Saturday. Eschewing the human tendency to queue up in long lines, I walked around it all to the TSA Pre-check line, and I was through security in 90 seconds. Just because you pay more for something, doesn’t mean it’s better. Sorry, Clear.
This trip has been far from smooth, even though we are only reaching the start line. This week, the pilots union for Scandinavian Airlines decided they were going on strike; beginning this Saturday morning. The airline refused to offer cancellations or refunds, saying “It’s good to go.” This morning, the pilots union extended their talks until Monday, allowing me to get on a plane today.
As noted earlier, I am traveling light on this trip. I wait until the last person has boarded the plane, and they are making a last call before I board. I am only packing my backpack that fits easily under the seat in front of me and a few hours less sleep than I had hoped. These flights will bring even less sleep.
The flight to Newark is uneventful; slightly bouncy with mild torpor. I am at EWR early enough that I have time to explore B and C terminals extensively; passing through security numerous times and only losing my passport once! I am a huge advocate of Lounge access if you can get it on a budget, and find a lounge to slump down in and wait for my next flight. Food, coffee, quiet.
As is tradition, I am quite often the last person on the plane. By the time I made it to my gate at EWR, the door to the jetway had been closed and the gate agents were told me that boarding had closed and I could not get on the plane. Despite the pilot strike being postponed, it looked like I was still not getting on this flight.
With a confidence that I didn’t fully feel, I assured them that it was ok. I could still get on, as the plane had not pulled away from the jetway, and they (probably) hadn’t sealed the doors yet. After a few moments of calm assurance, like the first time you are saddling a new horse, they picked up the radio and called the plane to let them know one more person was coming aboard. This is the risk of flying with no checked luggage; they can leave you behind without the hassle of removing your bags first.
Finally on my last flight for the day, I fall into my seat and into a very pleasant conversation with a retired heart surgeon on his way to go fishing in the 20+ hours of sunshine on one of Norway’s fine rivers. We both quickly note that the baby in the seat behind us has shit it’s pants.
I try to get out of a plane in a new country as efficiently as possible. Fast, but without knocking over any elderly travelers. I have benefited more by being the first person to the Customs/Immigration/Passport Control than I can briefly summarize; like that time Panama SENAFRONT let me in with just a high five while everyone behind me was held up and shaken down. The Passport Control entering Norway is no exception.
Things I didn’t love about the entry into Norway:
- No Air Conditioning for 600 people in a single room
- One Agent to process Non-EU citizens
- British man yelling at the Customs Agents
- The sleep deprivation that I brought in with me
- Smelly people
This I enjoyed about the entry into Norway:
- Lovely Agent
- A whole new country!