So – the story starts when Cheevers Android based phone decides to crash last night – and kill the only alarm I had Thankfully I did wake up but left me with 50 mins to departure of flight to Atlanta Good decision staying at the Alt Hotel in the airport – so off I run and here is my advice to you already seasoned Halifax airport users 1. When it’s a Delta Flight – don’t go to the Delta Check in area – go to the WestJet area - its another delay of 5 mins and buckets of sweat running left to right side of Halifax terminal 2. When you arrive at the WestJet checkin – you realize you may be in Jamaica or one of those countries where time does not matter… But you are not in Jamaica (its cold) and time does matter. However, WestJet will check you in even if its 6.32 and the flight departure time is 7am. I left Dave of WestJet with the confidence that he inspired in me…. This is Halifax they will not take off without you. You have plenty of time… 3. Off I run to the departures security area…and note that I’m not in the US and my Delta and TSA PreCheck mean nothing – and the Q is long… Rather than bother – its now 20 mins to departure at 7am…..I ask Brian (the helpful Security agent) if its even worth q’ing and can I get ahead of the others because my flight leaves in 20 mins… Brian echoes Daves words to me – “you have plenty of time – the flight wont leave without you – this is Halifax”. So I stay in line and am thinking – I want to really now live in Halifax and change my lifestyle… Brian also tells another 7am Toronto bound traveller – that ‘Its fine – you have plenty of time and we both smile at each other’… 4. However I can’t help think I’m still in Jamaica as I’ve never in all my years travelling seen as slow and inefficient security system in an airport. Not only do they just have 2 lines going when they should have 5 – but you have to put everything in a tray that the security personnel put on the belt for you (that’s about 50% longer there per person). Anyway – Clare my security screener also assures me that I have plenty of time – its now 6.55am with 7.00am departure from Halifax to Toronto – and that I have a ‘nice’ suitbag. I begin to think I’m in a strange Jamaican dream – as my stress levels are so low and I’m supposed to be flying to Toronto in 5 mins with a connection to Atlanta…. What a City, What an airport – it really cares for its passengers and human beings….. 5. I clear security and my gate is 18 – I see the sign its left and the sign says 1-18 on it – and I expect that with my luck 18 is the last gate – but no its actually the first – and my heart starts to lift that I will be home before the rush hour on GA-400 – and sprint the short distance to the gate where a couple of people are casually chatting……… 6. As I get there I see Mary (the nicest agent I’ve ever talked to btw) look at me and then the inevitable happens – she starts to shake her head left to right (that means No) – and I realize that I am in fact really not in Jamaica (they probably would have been late on departure) and the gate was indeed closed…… So, now I sit – with some additional time on my hands (as you can see with my diatribe) – and I feel compelled to write to the Halifax Aiport authority and just tell them – that in the interests of future travellers – just tell the check in and security people to cut off hope at least 30 mins and puncture the hope earlier…….. Happy and safe travels to you all
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 02:12:44 +0000
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