Now that we are approaching the end of our two week stint in Colorado, I'm starting to get back into organise/stress mode.
I'm flying back to Chicago with the three kids on my own as the Ball & Chain is staying up here for a (cough, cough) conference. Hmmm. He is then doing the idiot two-day, thousand mile drive back to Chicago with our luggage, which is great as it means we won't have to check any bags. Every time we check bags on domestic flights, something gets left behind. One year, flying back from Salt Lake City, we saw our bags on the runway, ...as we taxied away for take off. They actually took off knowing that a few of us would arrive at the other end with nothing to wear. Apparently we were about to miss our slot, but that's not much help when you're trying to get young kids to go to bed in their underwear instead of their pyjamas. (They now travel with PJs in their backpacks because of this ordeal.)
Once we get to Denver airport it's just Stress City. Because of the idiot with the underwear explosives, security has been "tighetened", which means an even longer wait to get through. Denver airport always has long queues/lines at peak times anyway, and I'll warrant we wait at least an hour. Over here, you have to take your shoes and coats off, which is a complete nightmare in winter as the coats are as big as duvets and boots are not easily slipped off. Last year the man-child walked off and left his phone in the little bowl and we remained unaware of this till the nice man from Denver airport rang me at home to tell me. They even paid for the postage to get it back to us. Amazing really, given our usual luck.
Oh and don't even talk about the body-screening panic that's going on over here. Apparently the machines render you naked on the screen and more than a few people are up in arms about an anonymous security person seeing their "bits". Personally, I couldn't care less. If someone is desperate enough to get their jollies from a black and white image of me in the nuddy - then more power to them, poor things.
I"ll admit to worrying a bit about this new rule that prohibits you from getting up an hour before landing. I've managed half an hour before, but a whole hour, without the possibility of pee-ing? Ye gods. Not that I pee on the hour usually, but you know what the power of suggestion can do. Fortunately the flight is only two and a bit hours and they're not over generous with the snacks and drinks, so I should be OK. If not, it has been suggested that I wear a Go-Girl, which will allow me to pee standing up. Have a look. I still haven't quite figured out the logistics, but I suspect I may need at least a plastic bag too. Brit Gal Sarah wrote about this back in August although I was in Spain at the time so I swear I'm not copying.
Actually you really should pop over to the Go Girl web site right now as you could "win a $500 lifestyle package for sports or everyday". Sports I understand (kind of) but every day? How lazy do you have to be to think "Oh I'll just wear my Go-Girl today and save myself some trouble"?
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I hope your flight home and your husbands drive all go smoothly and uneventfully. So, I went to the GoGirl website out of curiosity... I can see using it in the woods. Maybe. But how do you clean it well? I see the reasoning behind using it in public toilets, but do you wash it in the sink with people standing next to you? I don't know about the logistics unless you did consider it disposable like the website says (a little on the expensive side for me to consider disposable). I'm right thee with you about the power of suggestion, though. When we were headed out to a football game the other night I must've "gone" 10 times in the half hour before we left because I didn't want to have to at the game. I knew it was all in my head, but it didn't stop me "needing" to go.
ReplyDeleteA few months ago I flew back to the UK from NZ with my 3 small children (aged 2, 9 months and 9 months) on my own and it was a pretty appalling 30 hours. We purposely flew through via Hong Kong instead of LA because of the security issues in the States. Flying with children is officially one of the least enjoyable ways to spend your time. Hope your trip runs smoothly
ReplyDeleteJenny - oh god, even more questions than I originally had. Probably a no-no then.
ReplyDeleteJenny R - Bless you. A friend used to do that journey with a 4, 2 and baby. Unimaginable. I have to say that when I travelled on my own to the UK with two babies, it was more stressful thinking about it than actually doing it, but it doesn't even compare with your journey! At least two of mine are big now, and the flight isn't too long.
Glad you are feeling better, and good luck with the flight. I met up with a friend yesterday who travelled from London to New York on Boxing Day and had a nightmare flight - not even allowed to watch the inflight entertainment, thanks to that business in Detroit. My sister flies back today and we are all praying it is not so draconian as she has two kids to contend with on her own!
ReplyDeleteThe no wee rule really worries me - we go to the US at least once a year and the thought of not being able to go to the loo (or watch inflight entertainment?!) is a real negative for me.
ReplyDeleteWe were actually in Chicago in August...
I heard you werent feeling too good, or was that code for 'on holiday in colorado?'
ReplyDeletesafe trip and same old same old routine...
go girl...l shall have to find out what this is l'm afraid!
I'm thinking an adult diaper would be more practical than a Go Girl on a plane.
ReplyDeleteI think I might need one of those Go Girl thingies next time I make a trans-Atlantic flight which will hopefully be next summer. Anyway, just wanted to stop by and wish you and yours all the best for 2010!
ReplyDeleteIt would be terrible if a child needed to poo during landing, like my oldest granddaughter did recently. She was desperate & son had to undo safety belts & just go & help her.
ReplyDeleteThis time when flying to Japan she showered every one by being sick just five minutes before landing. Now why couldn't she have waited?
Pity that a few mad people make it so hard for the rest of us. I wouldn't like to think of all my bits being seen but if it was for the sake of safety......
Nuts in May
It's taken me 2 days to leave a comment as I'm still in awe of the Go Girls thingy. Can't see one practical use for it but cool nevertheless and it's already on my Christmas list for one friend who drinks too much lager and always needs to pee!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I really feel sorry for you after your two weeks in Colorada (cough). Seriously, have a safe flight home.
ReplyDeleteWell, because of the coughing, I have skiied one whole run in two weeks. I can't even go outside and I'm going nuts. Kids all tired and one unwell so we're going home a day early. Better luck next time.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon. I'm dreading our cross Atlantic flight later this month with the new rules. I'll head over to Go Girl now just in case....
ReplyDeleteOh ye gods travelling with children! Have so far avoided it except obviously in the car...hoping to avoid it until I have won the lottery or have grandparents in tow to help/hinder...do hope your flight was uneventful and that you did not need to cross your legs for more than an hour..
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
What's this about not leaving your seat an hour before landing? Do terrorists wait till then before striking? Sound very odd.
ReplyDeleteA rival to the Go-Girl is the P-Mate. Don't know why I feel the need to tell you that.
ReplyDeleteIota - they have also switched off the map on the back of the seats on international flights so that would-be terrorists don't know how close they are to a big city. That's presumably also why they won't let you do anything an hour before landing. Doesn't sound very sensible though on the part of the terrorists as there's much less fuel left in the tank at the end of the flight.
ReplyDelete