I don't fly very often, now that I've retired. In fact, due to skipping 2020, in the four years since I retired, I've taken three flights. I haven't forgotten how the process works. I still subscribe to a travel newsletter, and I still pay attention to changes at the airports I encounter.
Along those lines, I renewed my TSA Pre account. One of the changes that were made at BDL (my home airport), is that they built a new TSA Pre security entrance—brand new—just opened last month. There were only three of us in that line at the ungodly hour that I arrived at the airport. We cleared the officer's review and placed our carry-on stuff on the belt. We walked through the scanner and waited for our stuff.
Our stuff didn't come out.
According to the conversations we overhead, the X-ray unit wasn't transmitting images to the operator's console. You might be surprised to learn, as I did, that those multi-million dollar X-ray units come with not one, but two extendable hooks so the operators can yank bags and trays out of the unit. I can't help but imagine the infomercial for those units — "Buy now and we'll throw in a second extendable retrieval hook, absolutely free!"
Our stuff was pulled out, moved back to the input area and moved to a different unit (which wasn't in use yet). After the other unit was working, our bags were processed. Before I got my bag, the supervisor showed up and started yelling.
"Why are you guys using that unit?"
The operator explained the problem. The supervisor, as supervisors are wont to do, offered his thoughts on how to solve this problem:
"Shut it off and turn it back on!"
TSA Supervisor for One-Liner Wednesday by Linda G. Hill
The photos in today's gallery are from my travel through three airports last week as I made my way to Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) from Hartford, Connecticut (BDL) via Detroit, Michigan (DTW). Below my regular advertising is a musical treat for this post.
Looking west as the rising sun lights up the sky.
Seen on our way north from Des Moines
Anyone who has had to go from terminal A to B or C in Detroit recognizes this scene.
That's the Connecticut Air National Guard (CT ANG) base at BDL. Those are the C-130s we see flying over our yard.
Escalator down to the tunnel between terminals at Detroit.
Sunrise as we taxi toward takeoff at BDL.
The best way to start air travel is seeing that your plane is at the gate. I love the reflections.
Bunny munching away for breakfast.
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"Hey, buddy, you're going to fill that, right?"
Planes on the tarmac at DSM.
Low clouds covering deep blue sky.
Do you see people, bird, bunny - anything else?
Clouds illuminated by the rising sun.
Colorful sunrise
Fountain at DSM
There are many songs that could accompany today's title. I chose one that fits well, and I love it. If the Dreamer's Alliance Series had a sound track, it would be provided by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
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