Ph-Ph-Ph-Ph-Ph-Phoenix

It’s 6:30am and I find myself, once again, at gate C3 at the magnificent Harrisburg International Airport. International my azz. You can barely get out of the state without connecting to a larger airport. Regional airport is a better description, but I digress.

I am flying in coach*. (I paid for this ticket) I see the little Buddy Holly plane sitting out there on the tarmac. Despite having a jet-way, I will not be fooled this time. You do walk down the jet-way and then out the door, down the steps, across the tarmac and then climb the steps to board your ‘luxury’ coach.

I have Admiral’s Club passes so I can get into the secret little club at the Philadelphia airport. Much to my chagrin, the passes expired April 15^th—yes, YESTERDAY. Arghhhhhhhh.  Being able to hide out in the lounge prior to the next leg of the trip makes the coach trip a lot better. I plan on throwing myself at the feet of the receptionist and begging to be admitted.

The gate is much more crowded than it was the last time I was here. I am hoping the loud toddler that is currently racing around the terminal screaming is not on my flight. We shall see.

My flight to Phoenix is supposed to arrive about 12:15, Phoenix time. I think it’s so bizarre that they do not observe Daylight Savings Time. Well, not that they don’t observe it, but that, as a country, we can’t even agree on that. I am not getting into the whole political process that is going on right now. But, I will say this is not a time to be a proud American.

I’m going to share something I am more than a bit excited about! I’ve resurrected my kiln and have been creating lots of pottery. Since last year, I’ve been getting the feel for the clay again and discovering the new glazes that have come out in the last 25 years. Well, that isn’t the news, although it is exciting! The real news is, I contacted a store I’ve visited a few time in Phoenix and asked if they would be interested in selling the incense burners I’ve been making. THEY ARE!!!!!! I have a container packed with bubble wrap in my carry-on.

The ride on the Buddy Holly plane was uneventful until near the end. As we made our approach to Philly, the flight path took us over the river. As we crossed, one of those huge cargo container ships was sailing underneath us. It was so huge it seemed like it went on forever. The landing gear was down on the plane and I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say it looked like the plane cleared the ship by less than six feet. But, a few minutes later we were on the ground.

And, once again, we taxied to Terminal F. Then you have to take the internal shuttle bus to terminal A. The shuttle was filled with so many people I thought I was in Italy again. No concept of load capacity. 

Made it to the Admiral's Lounge and sat in the comfy chairs and used the secure wireless. I also made myself a little breakfast of fresh fruit and trail mix. If you are travelling more than once or twice a year with layovers, you really should look into the different ways to purchase access. It certainly makes the whole layover much nicer--and the free booze is another plus. 

You can find several credit cards that offer a couple of passes to their lounges as part of a welcome package. 

Here are few interesting articles regarding how to get lounge access. (I am not endorsing any of these methods and make no promises on the accuracy of the information.) Always do your own research though!

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Buying a day pass is also an option--but a fairly expensive one. However, I would have no problem doing that if for example, I had a very long layover, prior to an even longer flight. Say, like one to Tahiti. The TBIT has a gorgeous  AA Admiral's Lounge . 

The flight from Philly to Phoenix was delayed. The pilot came on and said there were a large number of planes waiting on the jetway for take-off. So we inched along just like rush hour on the highway. We sat for about 40 minutes. Sigh. Once in the air, the pilot was unable to make up that much time and we ended up arriving about 20 minutes or so late. 

I carried on my luggage so I made it out to the shuttles to the car rental facilities that are miles from the airport. It's a humongous place with all the companies in one giant building and then escalators leading to the various levels where the cars are kept in mammoth parking garages. It was a ZOO. 

On the way over in the shuttle, I checked my email and had one from Hertz stating if I wanted to join their gold members club, I could avoid the line, head directly to the cars, find my name on the gold board and pick up the car and my rental agreement would be printed as I exited. OH YES, sign me up. 

So, off I went, bypassing the queue of at least 30 people, and down to the cars. I did not see my name on the gold board, so I went to the little office on that level and was told I'd have to call 1800GOLDCAR or something like that and have the reservation rebooked under my new gold member number. NO, he could not do that there. So, I did that, came back inside and got back into the line and listened to one person after another have issues--the charge amount wasn't right, the car they requested wasn't there, and on and on. Finally, it was my turn and the other man working the desk found the reservation right away. He was going to upgrade me to a Toyota Camry--loaded. I said, I'm not going to have the same issue as these other people am I?  No way!!!!  Ok! My luggage and I schlep the whole way across this garage to Row Q, space 26. And I had the Steve Martin, Planes, Trains and Automobiles experience. 

Steve Martin

So, my luggage and I make our way back to the counter. By this time the line is even longer so I stand there and listen to the man being 'served' explain that he booked a full-size car but when he got there, it was full size but it has hand controls--"you know for a crippled person" And the rental counter guy says, and you don't need that? The guy says, "You saw me walk up to the counter". Then he spots me and says OH NO. I said OH YES, there was NO CAR in row Q26. He motions me up to the counter.

He then disappears into a back room or something and comes back about 5 minutes later with keys to a brand new Impala for the man with the handicapped car. Then he says, I'll find you a car. And I said, with a huge smile, and when you find the car, I know you will want to go and get the car and drive it right up beside this building, right? Of course, he said and disappeared to the back. I went outside and waited and waited and waited. He finally pulls up and says, sorry, the car I went to get you wasn't there either. I had to find a different car. So, almost 2 hours have gone by since I left the airport and I finally am on my way to see the kids! If this is the Hertz Gold Experience, I don't think I want that experience again.

Thirty-five minutes later, I am hugging my son! And another hour or so, my daughter gets the same treatment. Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

It's now 8:10 here and I am meeting the kids at Pappdeaux's for a late dinner. The food is magnificent! It's 11:10 where I come from and I am beat. But I am also very hungry and thinking after dinner and a few drinks, I will faceplant into the bed when I get back. 

BTW, I am staying at a Candlewood Suites. They are very reasonably priced and would be a great deal for a family. They have a full kitchen (no oven), a desk, a couple of chairs, a recliner and a queen size bed. I know they also have 1 bedroom suites with a separate bedroom and living room with a sleeper sofa.  They have so many 'little things' they do right here. You can borrow movies, board games, and things like blenders. They also have a 'Candlewood Kitchen' and it operates on the HONOR SYSTEM. It's stocked with soda, juice, water, snacks, fresh fruit, cereal and canned soups.

There is also a laundry room, a very well-equipped gym. Outside there is a heated pool and jacuzzi and a gas grill and picnic tables for outdoor dining. I try and stay here every time I visit. 

OMG just back from dinner. As expected, the food was exceptional. The reason: it's a scratch kitchen and the seafood and fish is flown in daily. No pre-made meals. Everything from sauces to desserts are made fresh here. And you can certainly taste the difference. 

It's about 11:30 here--so 2:30 'my time'. I'm more than tired. And so ends my first day. I couldn't give the kids enough hugs and kisses. No matter how old they get, they will always be my bebes. Life is so good!

*Coach—kind of ironic that there is a line of pocketbooks that people equate with luxury and status. The reality of coach travel on an airplane is anything but. Just sayin’