The Saga Continues
When we landed in Heathrow (UGH!!!), everyone was promised their connecting flights would be emailed to them, and they were. We received our flight info around 9pm with just a little twist. At the start of these embassy evacuation flights we were asked what airport we wanted to arrive at in the US. We selected Chicago, of course. If all else fails, we could rent a car and drive home. So, when we got our connecting flight info and it said Newark, New Jersey, we had a bit of scrambling to do. You see, we had booked a flight on United (one of our 4 booked flights) from Chicago to Denver that we needed to cancel. No biggie, even after 2 double-gin and tonics, we could still read, a little.
Up early the next morning, had the breakfast buffet, which included a full English breakfast, then off to Heathrow (UGH!!!). We decided not to wait for the shuttle and took a taxi instead. Cheap, only cost 20EUR and 5USD, we didn’t have the correct change in pounds.
Got in line with the other 200 people to check in for our flight. This is where a little surprise came in. Apparently, the embassy personnel that booked our flights thought we were evacuating from a war zone so no one would have any luggage. The nice lady at the counter was more than happy to point this out and collect our 45GBP per bag before issuing our ticket. Gotta love the government.
Just before boarding our flight, an announcement was made for everyone with 4-S’s on their ticket to come forward. Oh, lucky me, I had 4-S’s on my ticket so now off to secondary screening! All the times I’ve joked about having to ask for a cavity search, not with these folks!
Everything out of the backpack, shoes off, belt off and prepare to be swabbed. Not that I don’t think this is necessary, but it isn’t. TSA statistics show these checks have resulted in not one capture of a suspected terrorist, not one! But, proud to do my part. And that little lie the agent told us as we walked to the search area, about all of us “boarding first” was pure bullshit. I was the next to last person to board. Time to settle in for the 8hr 10min flight.
On the way, we completed our health forms (where you been, who’d you see, what did you touch) and a customs form. Apparently, Newark doesn’t have an automated Global Entry so everyone has to resort to filling out those blue forms.
Not only did Newark not have a Global Entry area, they decided Saturday evening would be a great time to shut down TSA Pre-Check and have only 1 person checking identifications. You really only need one person checking ID’s if you only have two scanning lines working. The line was forever! No fewer than 400 people standing in line, less than 2’ apart trying to make flight connections. Fortunately, after 30 minutes in line, TSA opened 2 more scanning lanes and added 2 more ID checkers. We had 4 hours between our flights but barely had time for a drink before boarding.
A quick 4 hours and we’re back home in Denver.