I can be a bit superstitious at times. The day we flew home was no different. We woke up bright and early (4AM) in Cairns to catch our flight to Brisbane and eventually the states. We made it through security with flying colors. That's when I made my mistake. I uttered the words, "I've never had trouble in an Australian airport." It went downhill from there. The first sign was when our baggage was late at baggage claim. So late that we had to catch a taxi to the international terminal. We made it through security just in time to board the plane where we were seated in the very back.
The flight from Brisbane to LA was miserable. They ran out of food by the time they served us, so I had to take the choice that was left (not that the food is ever that great anyway). I couldn't sleep, so I took a generic sleeping aid that didn't knock me out. There were young children two rows behind us. When there was about 5 hours left in the flight, the mom loudly said, "Abby, you have got to go to sleep. Abby! Abby! Abby, close your eyes! Abby, I'm going to count. One, two....Abby, I'm not kidding, go to sleep." I wanted to scream... Oh, Abby, for the love of sleep, please close your eyes! About that time, a shouting match began between Abby's mom and the lady directly behind me ending with the lady behind me exclaiming, "You should try sleeping pills next time!" Abby must have gone to sleep after that because that was the last I heard from them.
We landed in LA with 50 minutes to race through customs, baggage claim, baggage re-check, security, and finally to our gate. Have I mentioned that Tony didn't fly home until the next day, so I am juggling all this with my two children in tow? Anyway...I was sweating bullets, but determined to make it. Nowadays, you basically have to strip down to your bra and panties to go through security. We made it through, though, with time to spare thanks to a delayed flight. We got settled at our gate, only to realize I left a bag back at security. Ahh...the race was on again. In my defense, I was sleep deprived, keeping up with two children, and in a hurry. No worries, they had my bag and we made our flight.
After another delayed flight in Atlanta, we finally made it to the beach 30 hours after our adventure began. Next time, I'll keep my mouth shut when I breeze through security.
Disclaimer: Tony wanted me to note that his travel lasted 32 hours. Two hours longer than ours. Before you feel to sorry for him, he does fly first class.
