Mixed Reviews on TSA Pre Check

My Sam of all trades took me to the airport

in my car for my recent flight to Newark.

He dropped me right at the proper entrance, A-11,

remembering at the last minute to get the car

keys from me!

I checked in, then looked for the Pre Check line.

There was none.

I was told that the nearest was A-21, 10 gates away!

Here was the line for regular check in.

It turned a corner, so there was no way to tell 

just how long it was.

I was so frustrated, when my phone rang.

It was Sam.  My car was saying it didn't detect a key.

He was close, so he came back and got

another key I found in my purse.

I climbed in, 

and he drove me to A-21, the gate with Pre Check.

Then it was quick, but...

I had to limp back 10 gates to board! 

The return from Newark was slick.
We clear customs at the cruise terminal--a breeze.
There was no line at the TSA Pre Check at
the airport.

I so enjoy being able to carry a small bottle

of perfume and other liquids without

having to do the ziplock bag thing.

And the line moves faster because no one

has to take off shoes or light jackets.

I would definitely not want to be

without the Pre Check qualification.

Surely next time I'll have a better

experience at DFW. 


*************
UPDATE

*************

As it turns out, there is only one TSA Pre Check
gate in each terminal except Terminal D.
My very frequent traveler daughter-in-love
recommends that it is easiest to always go to the
Terminal D30 Pre Check,
then take the SkyLink to wherever you need.
Terminal C is the ABSOLUTE WORST, as they
arbitrarily close it off and on throughout the day.
So, here are the Pre Check Gates:
A21, C20, D22 and D30, E18.



We all thank you, Terri!

Cruisin' With Cold Feet

It left on January 2nd from New Jersey.

It was on the Anthem of the Seas, 
a most spectacular ship.

I could get a single balcony room--rare!

It was for 12 days, so it was a bargain!

Then...

I decided that even a bargain 12 day cruise
 was just too long.

My usual dog sitter could not keep Charleigh-Girl.

The weather?  It's January!  What if it's terrible?

But...it was too late to cancel.

So, alas, I must make the best of it.

(Secretly, I think I was glad I had forgotten to 

take insurance!)

Before I left I was upgraded to a larger balcony room.

My friends Bobye and Adelene agreed to come

here and stay with C-G.

The weather was exceptionally mild.

And so I went--still apprehensive about the 12 days.

I went a day early to be sure I made it.

Leaving the Marriott Airport Hotel in Newark

to head for the ship!

My first view!

 Okay, I am a little excited.

Maybe even more than a little.

 That's Lady Liberty in the center of the picture

from the Solarium of the Anthem.

And at 1:00 sharp we could get into our rooms.

And my luggage was already there!

This room was much larger than my single room

would have been, but...

the trade off was that it had a "partially obstructed view."

Which I considered more than partial.

Here we are getting ready to go under the

Verrazano Bridge from my stateroom.

My Diamond+ status (ahem) entitles me to use

this wonderful place all the way aft on Floor 12.

There is a fancy espresso machine available 24/7,

and there are extensive appetizers and drinks every

night before dinner.

Reading John Grisham's latest,

The Whistler.

Contentment personnified.

Our first port was San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I took a overview tour.

I tend to forget that Puerto Rico is part of the U.S.

(I could use my cell phone there!!!)

This was the old fort,

which I had previously only seen from a ship

sailing away at night.

I could have seen more if I had climbed that steep

ramp, but I decided it wouldn't be lady like.
Yes...that was the only reason.

Absolutely loved getting to take this beautiful shot

of the Anthem and the Breakaway

as I returned "home" at dusk in San Juan.

Approachingt the North Star for my ride!

It is descending.

The arm ascends almost straight up.

St. Maarten 

 From 330' above the ship!

We stopped in Antiqua, but I stayed on the ship.

The adults only solarium was virtually empty,

so I took advantage and spent most of the day there.

Fabulously enjoyable!

 My prize winning shot of the trip was taken in

Barbados.

What could be more exciting than thinking

"It's waiting out there just for me to get back on board!"

Some fun spots on the Anthem...

This is a food truck whose

cab is outside!

and the rest inside!

my dog!
Oh my, I don't think it looks very good,
but it was.  And messy.

There are bumper cars

that travel around this multi-purpose surface.
(Basketball, roller skating, etc.)

Our last port was St. Kitts.
I took a very pleasant ride on a train older than I am!
It was double decked, and I sat on the top in the
very back.
It traveled through what were once sugar cane
plantations, but the stunning views of the
coast were the best part.
I took approximately 1000 pictures, but I promise
I culled them down to just a few.

 Is it just me, or do these tracks look like those of
an electric train set?

Their beaches are volcanic black sand.

Somehow I don't think Jack Stovall would have
deemed this very safe.

But I made it and would recommend it!


I always checked on my room service breakfast card
that it was for ONE (1) person.

 That's oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins,
Danishes, raisin bread, coffee, and milk.
I asked for the raisin bread, but I meant in place of
the Danishes, not in addition to!
And two cups. Always two cups.




I got my hair done!
This may be the ultimate luxury to me.

My delightful tablemates for dinner.
From left: Wayne, Elaine, Sue
We ate together every night except one and
 had the best time!

So, I may have begun this trip with cold feet,
but this is the way it ended!

Do I really have to get off?