Massachusetts - Day 1

Last Thursday, we woke up early to catch a flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Providence (PVD) by way of Chicago (ORD). Our ride dropped us off an hour before departure at Terminal 1, just outside the check-in counters of our carrier, Acme Swift Skies. As soon as we walked inside, the fun began.

We had only carry-on bags, so we entered the long line for express self check-in. I think there were four airline personnel working. One helped people understand the concept of a line, one attempted to assist confused passengers with the touch screen system, one stood behind the counter in case anyone actually required customer service and one supervised. When it was finally our turn to check in, I stepped up to the screen.

The computer asked me to insert the credit card I used to purchase the ticket. Once I did, the computer processed the information and told me that it would need my flight number, so I unfolded my printed confirmation, found the number and entered it. Again, the computer processed the information. I glanced over at M, who seemed to be a few steps ahead of me. She shook her head and said, "It's not working." I grew concerned.

My screen suddenly prompted me for the 13-digit ticket number. I scanned the page and carefully inputted each number. Almost instantly, the computer informed me that no such flight or ticket existed. This couldn't be right, I thought.

I read my confirmation paper again. I was almost certain I was in the correct place and had entered the correct information. Almost. I inserted my card again and gave the whole process another try. The second attempt failed as well. I suddenly realized why the line was so long. It was because of people like me.

Fortunately, we were standing in front of the employee providing customer service. He scanned our confirmations and said, "Oh, this flight isn't actually with ASS. It's with our codeshare partner, Chapter 11 Airlines. They're in Terminal 3."

With a sigh, we heaved our bags onto our shoulders and trudged through empty Terminal 2, past the crowds at Another Airline and to the deserted counters of Chapter 11 at the end of Terminal 3. We were able to check in on their computers and pass through security easily. We then dragged our bags through the long corridors and moving sidewalks to our gate where we received our seat assignments.

The flight to Chicago went smoothly. After they served us beverages and pretzels, they showed the unoriginal and unfunny Guess Who starring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher. When we landed, we learned our connecting flight was a mere four gates away. With only a short distance to walk and time to spare, I grabbed a grande coffee from Starbucks. It cost $1.97 and I nursed it all the way to Providence.

While we waited for M's friend, C, to pick us up, I took a photo of this statue at the airport. I believe the piece of art suggests either the uncontrollable and destructive force of Mother Nature or the crunchy goodness of an ice cream cone.

The drive from the airport to Bedford took nearly ninety minutes due to rush hour traffic. That evening, I met the rest of C's family, watched some television and, some time after midnight, finished the sixth Harry Potter book. It would have probably been smarter to get to bed earlier, but the Half-Blood Prince was just too good to put down.