Mom went home today.
Pam and I drive my mother to Yosemite International Airport. We get to the airport around 5:40 a.m. We park the car in the short-term parking lot. As I stepped out of the car and glanced at the small portal window near the United check-in counter, I couldn't help but notice a line of people. Holiday travelers. Oh boy!
As we entered the terminal and hung a right into the construction zone, the line to the TSA screening area was way beyond the Starbucks. Uh oh.
We get to the United end of the terminal. Yep, there are a lot of people in line at the United check-in terminal. We took our place in line. We noticed some passengers taking advantage of the express check-in and then getting their names called instantaneously.
My mom couldn't use the express check-in since she had an international flight. What? You are flying from Fresno to San Francisco and then onto Japan. Wouldn't you think it would make sense to use express check-in? Besides we are standing in line with passengers who missed their flight or their flight got canceled. Whatever.
Now, there are three people behind the counter. One man was handling all of the United check-ins. A woman was handling all of the Delta check-ins. Then there is this woman who had this phone stuck to her ear and her lips weren't moving. What the? Ordering pizza? Eventually I saw her lips move so I guess she was actually talking to someone. Well anyhow, the Delta woman finished checking in the Delta and migrated over to assist with the United man.
We finally make it to the check-in counter around 6:30 a.m. I keep glancing at my watch. There's time. Plenty of time.
Then we go stand in the screening line. Although long, progress was surprisingly quick. I buy Starbuck's for Pam and me. Mom didn't want anything. As we are standing in line this TSA employee, an elderly gentleman, was telling jokes and making comments up and down the line. "Ever wonder why they don't re-route your flight to Hawaii, but re-route to Chicago O'Hare everytime?" Funny. Got a good chuckle from the crowd. Good man.
After hugs and kisses, Pam and I waited as my mom made her way through the checkpoint. Being a diabetic, she is allowed to take water through the checkpoint. Although TSA does test the water for any explosive chemicals, they did not this time (they did when my mom flew to Missouri earlier this month).
Then this @$$hole bumps into my mother almost knocking her down to the floor. Appears he was late for his flight. TSA never intervened.
Anyhow, my mother's carryon is next to the guy operating the X-ray machine. What's up? One of the other TSA employees grabs her bag, places it on the table, and opens up her bag. The TSA employee pulls out a jar of Jif peanut butter and tells my mom she is not allowed to take it on board. My mom has this look of disbelief on her face. I guess TSA forbids the carrying of peanut butter on board any flight! However, they didn't take away the numerous garlic packages she was carrying. Note to self on this one. My theory is that since there are a gazillion people allergic to peanut butter and peanut products, the airlines decided they didn't want an epidemic outbreak of peanut rash on one of the flights.
My mother was distraught and heartbroken. I guess my mom told the lady to give the jar to me. Pam and I wave our hands at the TSA employee so she could bring the jar over. She walks over to me and hands the peanut butter without incident. Many of the TSA employees did get a chuckle over the situation. Unbelievable.
My how time flew. Where did the time go? She flew in here November 21. It was a very good visit. I just wished Pam and I could take some time off and take her to Yosemite National Park, the geographical center of California in North Fork, San Francisco, Monterrey, Bass Pro Shop in Manteca (just kidding). She saw things and visited places she never saw. My in-laws were a tremendous help in taking my mother into Oakhurst, Fresno, and Chukchansi Casino. I guess my mother-in-law and mom hit it off like sisters always going shopping and dining out.
Pam and I will be heading to Japan in 2009 to visit my mom and relatives. The highlight of our trip will be to scale the majestic symbol of Japan -- Fuji-san. Climbing it won't be easy when you are taking on not only the mountain, but 2,500 other people as well.
