Airport Mishaps and What Nots

Who doesn't like a good airport story?

Mom, Dad and I arrive less than an hour before departure time, all three suit cases are over weight capacity, security screening takes 30 minutes, I am caught with a swiss army knife in my purse, I am patted down from Head to Toe and "Orozco part of three" is announced over the intercom of the Airport three times as we sprint to our gate. Easily put, we pissed off many airport employees last night.

As expected, I filled each piece of luggage to its max capacity. I figure that I am moving across the country and will be in need of things, so why not bring everything if it fits? Luggage is not allowed to weigh more than 50 lbs and if it does, it is $50 fee/per bag. Or check in an additional luggage for $35. We chose the latter.

So mom, dad and I get on our knees right in front of the check in counters and open up each bag to move items around, and check in an additional piece of luggage.

Obstacle #2: We arrive at the security check point and there is only one line. The line is long and not moving as the new screeners take about one minute per person and include a vogue like pose.

Obstacle #3: OOPS! The man inspecting my purse pulls this out and says: "And what were you planning on doing with this?" As a result of this item, I got a pretty intense rub down from a female security guard (head massage included).

Obstacle #4: Dad also gets a rub down, as a result of his NO NO object:

What can I say? We love our wine and were hoping to celebrate on the plane. 

As Dad and I are getting patted down, the intercom calls: "Orozco party of three report to Gate 9". There are only 10 gates at this airport and yes! Gate 9 is at the opposite end. We sprint and make it as they are about to close the gate door. The man at the boarding gate scolds us saying that boarding was half an hour ago and the plane is  now late as a result of us. He rips the boarding passes from our hands and makes a snide comment about how he should have sent wheel chairs for us and wheeled us over. Ouch!

We make it on the plane and depart Oakland at 12:01am. I guess airport employees are cranky during their midnight shifts.