The Waiting Game

The good news is I'm manifested on the flight today. The bad news is we had to report to check in at 1130 and the flight doesn't board until 2045. Not only do we have to wait for just over nine hours to board the flight, we're waiting nine hours so we can go sit on a plane for 17 hours. Whoo hoo!

All of that aside, there have been some real positives today I need to share.

First, the volunteers at the USO here in Atlanta are fantastic. They were all very supportive, extremely helpful, and when it came time to lead us out, they shouted out, "Let's hear it for America's heroes!" and began a round of applause that followed us as we moved to our ticketing counter. Again, like when I arrived for leave, it was an emotional experience to walk through and hear applause and cheering.

Also, as we've moved through the terminal, TSA routed us straight through the security check (we still had to go through but they moved us to the front of the line and moved us along faster than I've ever been through security). Just walking down the passage people would come up, shake my hand, and say some variation of, "Thanks for all you do - good luck and God bless."

Well, some of us are headed down to the gate to begin the closer waiting process. My next post should be from back in my trailer "home" away from home. The counter keeps moving.

Cheers, Pearl