Traveling experience

Since my first grandchild was born in June, I’ve made four trips to Chicago to see him. Most of the time, I fly with either United or American Airlines but after an advertised special for about half the ticket fee, I decided to fly with Delta this last trip.

My son-in-law is an air traffic controller and often educates me about flying, airports, and any other aviation needs I might encounter. Because of the cheaper ticket price, I had to fly from Tulsa to Atlanta and then make a connecting flight from Atlanta to Chicago. So basically, instead of a direct flight from Tulsa to Chicago, I’d have two flights and arrive two hours later than normal. I decided it was a small sacrifice to make for the deducted ticket price and I could “wing” it.

When I boarded the plane in Tulsa, it was nothing fancy – just the basic small plane with the usual travelers. I didn’t realize when we flew into Atlanta that Delta was the “IT” airline and I felt like royalty when we landed, seeing all the airport signs welcoming travelers to “Delta Airlines, the heart of Atlanta.”

After my layover at the Atlanta airport, we boarded a bigger plane that was much newer than any I’d ever flown on before. There were three rows of clean, new, comfortably padded seats and an individual screen for each flyer to access TV or watch movies on. I was comfortable and my two seat buddies seemed to be enjoying it, too.

After getting fully airborne, the stewardesses began asking us if we wanted drinks or something to snack on. I’m never surprised at the handful of people who order a mimosa or Bloody Mary on their flight; and I’ve come to determine that they either had a rough night and are still “going” or they’re terrified and downing it to endure the flight.

There were no little bags of pretzels or cheap snacks either. We had our choice of name brand chips, chocolate, Starbucks coffee, and other items. I couldn’t believe I had waited this long to fly with Delta because these people really did know how to party!

When I told my daughter and son-in-law about my flying experience, they laughed at me. My son-in-law told me all Delta flights are connecting flights, but my daughter agreed the snacks were fabulous, especially for coach.

I didn’t have a blanket and slippers, or a cocktail for my 6 a.m. flight like the first class passengers did, but I did make the trip worthwhile by leaning back and enjoying my amenities.

A few trips before that, I was blessed to sit next to a former assistant district attorney, and we discussed old court cases from our area, which made the trip go by faster than the usual two hours that it takes to get to Chicago.

Now if they would just put a third bathroom on the plane, it would be easier on the people like me who are guzzling their free coffee.