Chasing the Sun

The best way to begin this last post of the Spain trip would be to say that everything was easy and we had no problems getting home.
If it were true. But......

I will mention that the check-in process at the airport began very smoothly, but with some unexpected questions, when we checked our luggage. The folks at the American Airlines counter asked--- If we had any electronics in our luggage. then they wanted to know how long we've had the camera/phone/ipod, etc and also if it had been repaired recently. They asked how long we'd had the luggage and then the regular questions that we are used to---did you pack your luggage, has it been out of your sight, etc.

As I said this was relatively easy, if a little unusual--the rest was yet to come. Security went smoothly--shoes off, jacket off, carry-on x-rayed, Same ole stuff we are used to. No problems--- then around the corner ANOTHER SECURITY CHECK. This one was very personal. The majority of passengers were lined up, men on one side, women on the other and we were individually searched. Patted down, and everything taken out of carry on bag and purse and inspected. I said the majority of passengers, because some of our group and other groups as well, were waved through for seemingly no reason. I guess Spain is really getting serious about its security.

Our plane was to leave at 11, so we boarded at 10:30 and the cheap seats on the plane were only about 1/3 to 1/4 full. Eash passenger had several seats to stretch out in. The first and business classes were full. I hope this doesn't mean that American Airlines is in trouble financially--more than other airlines. It was great for us, but i kept wondering if they could pay for the flight with so few folks onboard.

The flight was long as expected, but not too uncomfortable. Meals were adequate, but not wonderful. We arrived at JFK with barely enough time to make our connection--then the plane sat on the runway waiting our turn to get to the gate for, OH about 30 minutes. When we finally deplaned, we had to go thru immigration, then get our bags, then go thru customs, then recheck our bags , then find the gate to get to the plane that would take us to Dallas. When the last of us made it to the gate, the plane was loaded and waiting for 5 more minutes before take-off.
NOTE TO COLLETTE SCHEDULERS---we need more time to get all that accomplished.
This leg of the trip was a full flight and we were packed in, so I suppose I shouldn't worry about American Airlines too much after all.

On this flight, they offered to SELL us a Boston Market sandwich for $10, no free food here. Four hours later we were picking up bags in Dallas in preparation for our 3 hr. bus ride to Bwd.
But wait,----- 4 people's bags were missing. Probably when we were in the mad dash to get bags rechecked and get to the correct gate, those 4 bags were put in a different pile. Anyway, the airlines folks "found" the bags in the computer and promised that they would be sent to Bwd and San Angelo by Thursday. [ March 6- some bags have been returned to owners, some have not yet--some went to Louisiana, not sure about the others]
We got on our bus, made a stop at Whataburger and drove home.

Good trip--a little wet, and awfully busy, but we saw things that were unusual and had Once-In-a -Lifetime experiences. Thanks, to those who share the trip via this blog--I appreciate your interest and enthusiasm for our trips.
Vaya con Dios