Halloween Panorama: Travel & Embarkation
I am pulling up to my offsite parking facility. This is the Parking Spot DFW North. I parked at the South lot last time which is usually quite a bit cheaper. This time they have a sale going on and it only costs 25 cents per day more to park at the north lot so here I am.
When I checked in they said they were giving me a free upgrade to handicapped parking. My spot is right by the entrance. It’s the first spot. There will be close parkers this time. I’m parked on the end and they have the cars spaced out enough so wheelchairs can get between them.
As soon as I got out they called a shuttle over. It’s me and one couple on the shuttle.
We ended up picking up several other groups. We have to go to three terminals now. Of course mine is last. One lady got on and told them she was going to terminal K. The driver says “There is no terminal K.”
I was running 10 minutes behind schedule and didn’t anticipate spending 30 minutes in the shuttle. I only planned for 15 minutes. Hopefully there aren’t any long lines at the airport.
They always get me with this kiosk that doesn’t print bag tags.
These are the ones I need.
At least the bag drop line isn’t bad.
They always drop you by American for this terminal. I had to walk all the way down to Spirit and turn around and walk back to American to go through security.
The sign that said it would be a 12 minute wait for security was pretty accurate. I was through in 13 minutes. My gate is the first one past the Panda Express.
There is a plane out there and it’s even the right color for this airline.
Walking back here I heard a lady say “Jesus didn’t get into politics. That’s why we don’t.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
If you’re a gamer you could spend some time here.
I have spent some quality time there.
Friday’s burrito came to $8.65. It is a good size burrito. My flight is boarding. I should have time to eat before final boarding though.
The guy in the middle seat definitely has his arm on my side of the arm rest. I’m going to have to put him in his place quick fast and in a hurry.
Exit row additional leg room.
I was able to regain my position when he went for his carryon. Does this even qualify as a carryon?
He got his neck pillow and blanket and is all bundled up now. I went ahead and put my vent on full blast. My left shoulder is warm.
I love the cheap WiFi plans on Spirit.
He regained control of the armrest when I went for a soda. Now I’m sitting here like napoleon.
Watch out for that drink cart haha.
This is exactly where I picked up my bag last time. With the green LAX-IT stop right outside. They aren’t currently showing our flight but they said it’s going to be here momentarily.
That’s mine.
Step right outside to the LAX IT stop.
It was here just a few seconds later.
They are doing LAX-IT a little different than the did the last time I was here.
The last time I was here they dropped you off at the lot and you went to whichever ride share provider you wanted. They would tell you to open the app and select your destination. A code would come up on your phone. Someone with a clipboard would tell you which car to go to. That driver would put your code into his phone and become your driver.
This time the shuttle bus driver tells you to order your car on the way to the parking lot. It tells you which zone to go to. You go to that zone and meet your driver.
I opened my Lyft app first because it’s usually cheaper. I saw I have 50% off my next three rides up to $6. This is a $37 ride so that will bring it down to $31. For comparison last time it cost $43.
Zone 30B is mine.
I hear they’re into clean air in California.
Okay the Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach cruise port are two different places but we made it.
Requesting a ride to the Queen Mary would’ve been easier and it’s a better drop off spot for embarkation. You have to walk that way from the port Lyft drop off spot.
The line just moved closer to the door but they aren’t letting anyone in yet. I found a spot on a bench.
A few minutes later they started letting people in. The first check-in time isn’t until noon. They started letting people in the building at 10:30.
I was through security and in line to check-in by 10:45.
I was checked in by 10:50. The Captain’s Lounge used to be for Diamond and Platinum guests. It’s just for suites now. They say it’s due to COVID-19 restrictions. I found a seat where I can charge.
I checked to see if I could connect to the ship WiFi to start using my On Board Credit. I can’t see it in here.
Again there are not a lot of kids here. I’ve seen two which is two more than I saw at check-in for Mardi Gras.
They opened the doors at 11:45. They called for suites at 11:37, Zone A01 and A02 at 11:40 and my Zone, A03 at 11:41.
They make you earn boarding walking up these ramps. I’d like to race a luggage cart down them.
Here is my embarkation video. It’s a little odd that you have to board on deck 4 in Long Beach. Ideally you want to be able to board in the atrium which is deck 3 forward. Last time we boarded in the casino which is deck 4 midship. This time instead of letting us in the casino they had us walk the exterior of the ship to the forward entrance. Take a look.
And I was onboard at 11:50am, which is 10 minutes before the first official arrival time. Check back next time for Halloween Panorama: Day 1.
