I wrote my monthly update, then went through the packing list again; the first time to make sure we have everything (cleaned and charged, etc.), and the second time to make sure it’s all in the proper bag or pocket. I shower, and we go for a walk as we get antsy waiting to leave for the airport, which our neighbor, Sarah, is actively doing with her daughter, Carrie, as we pass by. I received a text at 2pm that our 8pm flight had been delayed an hour, which was to be our layover time in Atlanta, so while Caleb got busy messaging the airline, I asked Pat, who was taking us, if we could leave now.

She grabbed her husband, Mike, and their dog, Tulie, and drove over to ours so we could toss our carry-on suitcases and backpack/purse into the trunk. Caleb is able to get us onto a 6pm flight to Detroit that will get us to the Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands an hour earlier. Carrie mentions to Sarah how lightly we’re traveling as we quickly walk past them while they’re checking their bags, so we can get to the airline counter for new boarding passes. While we wait, we weigh our bags, and they are both 22 pounds, well within the 15-35lb carry-on limit for most airlines.

We didn’t have to take our shoes off or stay with our bags while going through security. I notice a person’s belt under the bag conveyor, but it’s too close to the X-ray machine for me to reach. We’re able to get an agent to grab it so I can return it to its owner. We were told to check in an hour before our flight, but there’s already an agent at the desk as an earlier flight is preparing to leave, and the two agents are able to put us on standby and print new boarding passes. The flight was scheduled for 415pm departure, but it would be another hour before we got on the tarmac.

Being the last to board, there were bags loosely tossed in the overhead bins, so after moving some around, I was able to find space for our bags two seats back. I’ll take the headphones offered since I had planned on having time to open my bag and prep for the flight at the airport. I’m not trying to do that now and delay the flight further. We watch Zootopia 2, deboard, check out the Freedom Center (with Skittle-flavored drink mix), and go to dinner at Tap and Pour to watch the sunset. After takeoff, we will be served dinner before midnight, and I will pack mine for a later time that never comes.

There’s a troublesome passenger who stretches his legs, touching the attendant’s legs during take-off, but he moved them when asked. Another attendant would come by later, and she would trip in the dark, wondering if it was leg or luggage, and would get a kick in return. The man claimed it was a reflex and refused an apology. She said he shouldn’t be in an exit row if he can’t control his legs or if there is a language barrier to safety. He knew full well what he was doing and felt entitled, as the coworker acting as mediator asked them both to come to an understanding.