city at night

city at night

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Flying Down to Mexico

Greetings from Mexico City where the sun is shining and where the high temperature is expected to reach 84 F.

Yesterday I had a very long day of travel, but, in spite of that, everything went very smoothly. 

My flight from Cleveland to Houston was scheduled to leave at 5:50 A.M.  That meant that I needed to be at the airport around 4:00 A.M. ... which meant that I had to get up at 2:30 A.M.!  Cleveland Airport is currently undergoing major renovation for the Republican convention in July.  As a result, things have been more chaotic than normal there.  However, at that early hour check in and security were a breeze.  My flight left a couple of minutes early.

On this trip I decided to splurge and pay extra for "economy plus" seats which have more leg room.  My flight from Cleveland to Houston was on a small, commuter jet.  My seat was right behind the separation between first class and economy, and I had loads of leg room.  In fact, I suspect that I had more leg room than the people in first class.  In addition, there was no one seated next to me.  It was a very comfortable flight.  I was even able to doze a bit, something which I am rarely able to do on an airplane.

Upon arrival at Houston Airport, I had breakfast at Ruby's Diner, a restaurant that I usually frequent for breakfast or lunch when I have a layover in Houston.

My flight to Mexico City was not scheduled to leave until the afternoon, so I had a long layover.  Fortunately, with the credit card that I have, I get two free passes every year to use the United Airlines lounge. So I was able to while away the time in a much more pleasant atmosphere.

The flight to Mexico City was not very crowded;  I had my section of three seats all to myself.
We arrived in Mexico City fifteen minutes early.

To top off a hassle-free day, I zipped through "migración" at Mexico City Airport.  Sometimes the line there is horrendous, but yesterday there was no line at all.

My friend Alejandro was there waiting for me, and he took me to the apartment which I have rented on my last several trips to Mexico City.    I am settled in, and ready to enjoy two weeks in the Mexican capital!



At Houston Airport, the plane that I will take to Mexico City...



Taking off from Houston...


About to land in Mexico City...

 

8 comments:

  1. The difference in density of Houston and Mexico City side by side is amazing!
    Glad your trip was smooth and you could be in the United club during your wait! (I have the same card - its great).

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. Yes, those free passes to the United Club are very useful for long layovers!

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  2. Safe and pleasant travels, William!

    I just received a promotion, so it seems I'll have to put off travels back to Mexico City for at least a few months longer, but I still hope to take a trip there before year's end.

    Glad you had good flights. Un buen dia!

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    1. Thanks, Scott.
      Well, the promotion may delay your travel plans a bit, but it hopefully also means more "dinero" for travels.
      Maybe someday our paths will cross in Mexico City.
      ¡Saludos!

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  3. There's nothing like traveling mid-week. Before I retired, I'd always travel on Fridays or Sundays, and those are the hectic days in the airport. Now I travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, and it's amazing how much easier it is.

    Saludos,

    Kim G
    Boston, MA
    Where the traffic is nothing compared to CDMX.

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    1. Yes, but if they continue with the current "Hoy no circula" rules, I will have to cross off Wednesday as a day to travel to Mexico City.
      Saludos,
      Bill

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    2. You should buy Alex a second car. Think of how much easier that would be.

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    3. Well, first of all, he would never accept such an extravagant gift. And, secondly, where would he put it? It's not like they have a 2 car garage or that there is plenty of room to park on the street.

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