At our arrival to Frankfurt today we were parked midfield, not. At the terminal and greeted by immigrations agents who checked our passports as we departed the plane.
Although it's not odd to park and disembark midfield, I never say agents check passports at the door. After the passport check we take a short bus ride to the terminal.
On arrival I head for the Lufthansa Senators lounge for a quick glass of champagne (yeah you got that right) and a snack. It's funny how things can change so dramatically from country to country while you are in Europe. I went from croissants at the lounge in Paris to cheddar cheese and biscuits at the lounge in London to a sausage and whole grain bread at the lounge in Frankfurt.
I am not going to stay in this lounge long because I have to head for my gate. Since I am traveling to the USA, I have to pass through security once again for a second check. Once I get there, Lufthansa has another lounge in this area.
Hopefully champagne too.
There is also plenty of shopping all around the terminal. PASS! (Although I may look for a German Christmas Stolen).
I hit the security checkpoint and my carry on baggage goes through the x-ray. The only thing different about security here is that you do not walk through the x-ray. You are completely hand searched. It's like being felt up in public. Of course, men always get a male groper and females get a female.
Fun at Frankfurt airport!
I am in the second lounge now and it's not much nicer than the first. The food is cookies, wines, champagne, nuts, candies,coffee2, tea, etc.
Nothing special except a bit of privacy. Time goes fast though and I have to head to the gate and the dreaded masses. It looked like it's gonna be a full flight.
Don't they know it's Thanksgiving?
I have moved to the plane now and as I got there they were calling early boarding for the flight. I bypassed the line and got immediately on the jet.
So now what do I do for the next half hour?
As I sit here I reflect on the magical city for which I am about to depart, Newark, New Jersey, nicknamed the “Paris of the east” for all it beautiful sights and wonderful food.
I always hate returning home from my European vacations or US domestic travels. On the way to my gate I walk by the gates at Frankfurt and see exciting and adventurous destination like Istanbul, Rome, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Moscow, and then there's my gate NEWARK!
It's humbling.
At least when I lived in Los Angeles there was a vision of sunshine and glamour. For Newark the vision is the New Jersey Turnpike and Budweiser Brewery. Well at least there is the view of the New York City skyline.
A while back the Port Authority tried to rename Newark Airport to “Liberty” airport because people who are flying there aren't really going to Newark. The plot failed because the city of Newark wouldn't accept it since the airport is their only claim to fame. Thus, the airport was renamed “Newark Liberty”.
That's the trivia for today.
We are getting close to departure and so far the seat next to me is empty and I hope it stays that way. If it is not a full flight it is likely that it will remain empty, as long as the honor my Gold status. As mentioned earlier, the airlines usually try to keep the seat next to a Gold member empty if the plane is not full.
I'm not bragging (oh yes I am), but I flew a lot of miles and was very dedicated to United Airlines to earn this privilege.
8 minutes til take off.
Next stop glamorous and inspiring Newark, New Jersey!
Farewell Europe, I had fun.
:)
Blogging from Europe via Blackberry and AT&T Wireless
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