The Torture Begins

In recent years, when traveling by air,  I frequently have to say , "Remember when it used to be fun to fly?"  Now, it's just torture.  You have to arrive hours in advance.  Going through security... well what can I say? Carry on must be a certain size. No liquids or gels except in impossibly small quantities, and oh yeah, total quantity must fit in a quart ziplock bag. ( I wondered this morning if a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would make it through.)Then you have to unload electronics from the carry on bag, take your shoes and belt off... I mean really... a belt?

Today, I learned what happens if you can't lift your arm above your head in the full body scan machine.   I have this shoulder problem I've been seeing a physical therapist about, and I can't lift my left arm into that position they want. They sent me through the old fashioned metal detector, then called for a "matron for female search." She never showed up and finally the tsa staff talked about it and decided that they could swipe my hands and that would do. I passed security.

In the meantime, Donald rremoved his shoes and belt, but was stopped and searched because he left a ballpoint pen in his pocket.

Now we wait several hours to board our flight, watching these little pods get shuttled around.