Security looked empty and I skipped along to it. There the TSA guy, on seeing my passport, informed me that his grandmother had come from Portumna in County Galway. 'On, yes', sez I. 'I know it well. On the banks of the Shannon' He agreed happily and sent me on my way oblivious of the fact I have never set foot in the place! [:w] Still he was happy. On progressing further into the bowels of security I found a long line waiting to go through the screening process. We had to wait to the left of the wall while wheelchair passengers and cabin crew trundled past. There were about four screening areas to our left which were unmanned and I reckoned they were brought into play during peak times and this was not one of them. I suppose it took 15-20 minutes in all.
The departure area was one of those circular lounges rather than having the gates stretching out for miles ahead of you. The gate next to ours was to MCO and so there was the almost mandatory toddler who was rampaging up and down the area to the annoyance of everyone. On the other side was another screaming infant who was heading for some obscure regional airport on the CO route but fortunately both flights departed and we were left in peace!
The departure board showed a delay of about 10 minutes but the incoming flight was quickly turned around and soon we boarded. The initial booking had been a Colgan Express turbo-prop but had been replaced by an Embraer 145 with a 1-2 configuration and I was in 5A. What joy! A whole row to myself. The load was low to the extent that bags marked for gate-check were allowed on board. Complimentary soft drinks were served and I had a coffee with a bag of pretzels.
Soon we were on the ground and the carousel started up just as we reached it so it was a happy honey lamb that was quickly on her way!
