Miami to Buenos Aires - Sunday/Monday 18 January

This afternoon's Uber driver was Anthony, in one of the ubiquitous Teslas roaming the streets.  Anthony was a bit scary, drove very fast and somewhat erratically, kept turning his baseball cap from back to front, drumming along to loud rap music and he VAPED in the car!  Anthony's driving was very reminiscent of the Vietnam experience. The only way to avoid being in a constant state of panic/anxiety is to simply not look outside the car, in any direction.

We hit almost stand still traffic outside of the airport and crawled along for 10 minutes. Anthony suggested dropping me at Arrivals instead of Departures - saying it would save 20-30 minutes in traffic.  I was quite dubious but he assured me I just had to walk through the traffic area, re-enter the terminal and take the lift to Departures floor.  I said I didn't really want to wheel the large case across the traffic lanes, given the bung shoulder.  He then transformed into very, very helpful Anthony, getting everything out of the car for me, setting it up correctly and guided me to the right entrance. He said you remind me of my mum so I'll look out for you. Bless.

HUGE crowds waiting to check in to American Airlines. I was spared the fate of economy crowds which was up to 3 hours check in/security. My 'Priority' experience was just under an hour for which I was very grateful. 

In between the Economy and Priority areas was Flagship First, a magical, tranquil space untroubled by any passengers.  It really did look like a dream sequence from a movie which made me smile.  As my QFF Gold gets me into the Flagship Lounges, I tried my luck to check in there.  A sad shake of the head from the magical attendant who pointed me in the direction of the crowded Priority area. I wish I'd taken a photo of the rows and rows of hot and bothered people on either side of this little oasis, as the contrast was so stark.

 

 

The flight was a bit crappy.  An older, uncomfortable aircraft and not one wink of sleep was had. I did enjoy watching Glass Onion to help pass the time.   

About 30 mins out of BA, Captain advised there was 'a lot of weather' around and we'd likely have a bumpy approach. So seat belts on, and toilet access off.  We progressed from 30 mins out, to 11 mins, then back to 30 a few times. We circled for almost an hour before landing.  Rainy and cloudy there wasn't much of a view, but BA certainly looks BIG.

 

No toilets available before the immigration queues, so I am not in my happy place. In the baggage collection there was one toilet with a very large queue. I was worried I'd miss my pre-arranged driver if I joined the toilet queue so off to the carousel I went.

I have a very colourful cover on my checked bag so I can spot it at a distance then move to an accessible place to pick it up - getting past all the idiots standing right up against the conveyor belt. Still waiting 30 minutes later, as were most of the passengers, and I was getting more worried about missing my driver. No sign of the colourful cover, then out of the corner of my eye I spied Chilli - or Bluey's Mum for the uninitiated.  Thank heavens I had put some backup stickers on the actual case because there was no longer any cover.  Later a found a TSA inspection leaflet inside the case, so TSA either kept my cover or cut it off - instead of using the zip. Sigh.

Driver update next post.

Thanks Chilli - Mums helping mums