Air Travel

I already reported that for the last two times, I entered the US without showing my passport, just by y picture taken. This time was the first time that I left the US without showing my passport, just with the picture taken. 🙃

Also, first time not only leaving the shoes on, but also not taking the liquids out. Almost Europe 😂.

Minor distruption. Boarding at ORD started earlier than scheduled, and it was not announced neither in the app nor at the monitors in the AA lounge, so when I reached the gate, they were already boarding group nine! And granted, they said there is no more room on the aircraft for the carry on, and they are checking in my lugguage all the way to Helsinki. And that was precisely what I wanted to avoid: I didn’t want my luggage to make a connection at the JFK. For some reason, I’ve heard the unproportionally large number of the lost luggage stories from the JFK! A funny story: the AA issued me an upgrade to the first class when I was already seated. However, this seat was by the window, so I said I will stay at my sale seat – it was close enough the the exit. But you know what – if they would upgrade me 20 minutes earlier, I won’t have to check-in my carry on!

Fortunately, I had an AirTag in the luggage, so I knew it arrived to JFK, but there was no way to tell whether it was transfered, especially because our aircraft was sitting in a departure queue for over an hour, and my connection became short. Only when I looked at my phone upon landing in Vantaa and saw the luggage AirTag there, I could breath easy :). I didn’t have time to go to the Emerald lounge at JFK, so that’s for the next time. The other good part was that for the long flight, I was in the first row of Economy Premium, so I could use the half-reclined seats to the fullest, and actually got some sleep.

Anyway, all those distruptions were minor, and I made it to Helsinki in time, and so did my luggage!