Flying North

Yesterday I flew from Mexico City to Cleveland with a layover in Houston.  I didn't have window seats, so there will be no photos of the flight.  But in my past travels, you have seen more than enough photos of taking off from Mexico City and landing in Houston.

Even though my flight did not leave until 11:35 AM, I left for the airport before 7:00.  That teachers' protest that I wrote about a couple weeks ago is continuing, and there have been some days that they have blocked the road leading to the airport.  I wanted to give the Uber driver plenty of time to find an alternate route if necessary.  As if turned out, there were no problems.  There was no line at all to check my luggage at the United desk, and I passed quickly through security.  Before 8:00, I was in the United Club lounge.  (My first class international ticket gives me admission to the lounge.)

I was able to relax for about almost three hours, and take advantage of the lounge's breakfast buffet, before heading to my gate.

I wrote the other day that the decline in international travel to the U.S. seemed to be reflected in my half-empty flight to Houston.  Usually, United's flights to the U.S. are fully booked, and they leave from a large hall at the far end of the concourse.  This time my flight left from a closer gate, and, even though the waiting area was smaller, there was more than enough seating for the passengers.  Later, during the flight, it was strange to look back and see so many empty seats.  

We pulled away from the gate right on time, but the runway was closed briefly for inspection (perhaps because of the heavy rains the night before).  So we arrived in Houston a little late, but that was not a problem.  I always book flights with a lengthy layover, so that I don't have to fret about making my connection if there is a delay.

In Houston there was no wait at all to pass through immigration.  None at all!  And at the other side, the line for non-U.S. citizens was not very long either.  I can't really attribute this to lucky timing.  I have flown the same schedule several times and have encountered long lines.  Again, it would seem that there is nothing fake about the news of declining travel to the U.S.  The immigration agent simply asked me if I was bringing any food, tobacco or alcohol... no interrogation about where I was coming from or how long I was there. Passing through security once again, there was a fairly long line, but not as long as those I was experienced on previous trips.

When we landed in Houston is was very dreary and rainy.  However, by the time I was in the United Club, the sun was shining.

I had more than an hour to relax in the lounge, and, of course, I took advantage of more free food!  After passing through security I was able to walk to the United Club and then walk to the gate for my flight to Cleveland.  I did not have to take the train between terminals.

My flight to Cleveland at Gate E9 pulled away from the gate right on time.

There were more people on this flight, but it was not fully booked.  It seemed strange not to hear the agent at podium say, "We have a very full flight today..."

The flight arrived in Cleveland about twenty minutes early.  I retrieved my luggage and took the shuttle to the car rental center.  The past two trips to Ohio, by the time I arrived, all they had left were SUVs, even though I had reserved a mid-sized car.  This time there was a Nissan Altima waiting for me.  It was really rather fun to get behind the wheel and drive along the tranquil streets of suburban Cleveland late at night.  By 11 PM I was in my hotel room.

So, even though it was a very long day, everything went very smoothly.