HOMEWARD BOUND

        I changed our private car pickup time from 7:15 to 7:00 for this morning.  Our driver was there at 6:50 in a nice big van and off we went heading to BCN (Barcelona airport).  We arrived there by 7:30 and the driver got a couple bag carts for us.  There were multiple places for all the airlines to check people in.  It was hard to figure out where American Airlines check in was.  Of course opposite end on the terminal.  No line there for our check in.  All our bags weighed ok.  

        Next stop was Passport Control but as we were flying business class we were "Fast Track" and no line there either.  Next stop was security but we have TSA Priority so no line there either.  I had to take my laptop out of my carry on and we both had to remove jackets, belts, and everything out of pockets.  Kind of a hassle that the US is not doing now if TSA Priority. 

        We then headed to a private lounge which we had access to since we were business class.  I had a coke and Rebecca had some water.  Then the sign said to proceed to our gate so off we went.  We walked a long way to find out there was a gate change so another long walk.  We arrived at the gate and got in the priority boarding lane but had to wait.  We were the first ones on the airplane and still an hour before departure.  I got our carry on bags stowed and we plopped in our nice seats which were "lay flat" seats for sleeping.

                                   This is our plane as it was a long walk down the jetbridge.

                                         This is the engine of our 787.  They were refueling it.

        We were served champagne during the boarding of the other passengers.  There were 4 other couples from our ship in business class.  I went up to the cockpit and had a chat with the 3 pilots.  Super nice guys as were our flight attendants.  We had a short delay pushing back off the gate as our tug broke down so they had to get another.  The Captain explained we would be arriving in PHL before Customs opened at noon so they could not let us off the airplane until it was open.

        This was the menu.  During boarding the F/A took our drink and entree preferences.  We both picked the salmon entree.  We broke our rule about not drinking before 5pm.  I had Woodford Reserve bourbon (3) and and a glass of wine.  Rebecca had chardonnay during lunch.  It was 10:30am when the lunch service began after takeoff.

        Drinks came out first followed by this nice salad, shrimp, and sourdough bread starter.        

              Rebecca in her "cocoon" seat.  I was next to her but there was a divider between us.            

        We both chose the salmon entree with rice and veggies.  We both agreed that the salmon was better then we ever had on our cruise.  The veggies were over cooked but ok.  We really enjoyed everything that was served on the flight.  I must say the F/A's were very nice and did a great job.

                                                              I had this hot fudge sundae.

        During lunch I started watching a movie on the tv right in front of me.  There were hundreds of movies, tv shows, etc to pick from.  I watched a Vietnam was movie called "Ambushed".  After it was over and lunch was over I made my seat lie flat, got my pillow and blanket, and tried to sleep.  Not sure if I did as we were on the back row of BC and on the other side of the wall was a F/A work station.  Even though their service was over they talked some.  Our flight was 7 1/2 long.  With 4 hours left I started watching another movie.  I think it was called "Robber".  It was pretty good.

        With 1 1/2 hours left of the flight here came meat pies, fruit, chips, and chocolate pudding.

        We landed at 11:30 and taxied to the gate.  As I mentioned earlier they would not open the door for deplaning until noon so we sat there.  We were again first off the airplane but Rebecca does not walk as fast as me and it was another long walk to Immigration.  We both have Global Entry so went to a kiosk and it took our picture and issued a voucher which we showed the official and were on our way to collect our luggage.  With all our bags I need a cart which I had to put $6 in to get one.  It ripped me off as I still could not get one.  There was a porter with big cart standing there so I grabbed him.  Very glad I did as he retrieved our bags off the carousel and led us though Customs (again just flashed the Global Entry vouchers) and on the where we rechecked our bags on the Phoenix.

        Then we had to again go through TSA security.  This time we did not have to take stuff from our bags.  We are now at our departure gate but the flight is not until 4:45 so have a long sit.  I'm making good use of it as working on this blog post.  Free airport internet.  

        We will not arrived at the PHX airport until 7pm and there is no flight to Durango until tomorrow morning.  So we will be spending the night at the Phoenix airport Hilton.  Our flight tomorrow morning is at 8:36 and we are using our free airline passes since the flight has a lot of availability.  While sitting here I checked in for that flight.  We should get first class seats tomorrow.

        I called Melissa, our neighbor who has been watching the house, and asked if she wanted to make $50 by picking us up at 11am tomorrow at DRO airport.  She will.  She said Scott, neighbor on other side of us, had mowed our yard and it looked good.

        This is a VERY LONG DAY for us and we will be beat by the time we get to the Phoenix Hilton as our PHX flight is another 4 hour flight.

STAY TUNED!