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June 4, 2002

FlyDenver.Com So the last time I

FlyDenver.ComSo the
last time I came to Toronto, in February, I got up at some ridiculously
early time to leave my Longmont home and catch my 8:30 AM International
flight. Seriously, I was in line long before they wanted to deal with
anyone for that flight. Brad showed up safely (my traveling co-worker)
*hours* after I had been there.
So this time, I was not to be so liberal. I barely made it.
Turns out they instilled a new 1 hour check-in policy. You must be
"checked-in" at the ticketing counters one full hour prior to your
flight's departure time.
Since I walked up about 5 minutes inside an hour (though now I realize
my watch is slow and it may have been more like 15 minutes over), the
checkin woman did not want to check me in.
I was offered a 9:15 am flight through Chicago (bear in mind it is
about 7:43 AM for an 8:30 departure at this time) or an 11:50 AM direct
to Toronto.
I think the fact that I stared, unable to respond, for a solid minute
freaked her out a bit.
Finally she relented a bit, issued me an itinerary that would get me
through security, and let me "go for it".
Alright, here we go... and as we emerge around the corner, we see... the security line.
Since I was not able to check my bag, I now have two carry-on bags, and
therefore do not qualify for the "express" lane. Dang.
Also they look like they are checking for "boarding passes" before you
proceed to be screened. I don't have one of those, just a similar shape
and color type ticket itinerary that basically has the flight number
and meal information.
Fortunately it does have a seat number on it and they let me through.
Reading the rules on the big board I realize that I also have an
"illegal" razor in my toiletry bag... one that would normally be fine
for checked bags, but now I'm carrying on. What to do? Let them catch
it? Face public shame and ridicule? Open my bags now and fetch it and
throw it away?
Well, x-ray eyes on the x-ray machine missed it or didn't consider it a
threat... so another inhibitor avoided.
Okay, no one else stopped me, this time, like last time, to x-ray my
shoes (Skechers) or pat me down or anything.
So, now on to the trains. Finally one arrives and precious seconds
continue to tick away as I'm unable to do anything but patiently work
toward my gate: B46.
As I approach the terminal, I jog the final 100 feet.
"Did you check in?" they ask? No I tell them, I came straight here.
"You should have been on the plane 5 minutes ago" they tell me.
Can I get on now, I ask? After a final, at the gate, security search of
both my bags (no they missed the razor/shaver also), wanding my shoes
after I have to remove them and put them back on... I am on the plane.
And here I am in Toronto.
I love the airport.
Yes, my life is boring. But you just read this didn't you? What's that
say about you?
I'll try to add some Canada updates as they occur. But remember, it is
Canada.
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Posted by gcrgcr at June 4, 2002 5:24 AM

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