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Budapest to Frankfurt

Come on people. For goodness sakes get your act together! A family of 4 with bottles of water walking towards the security line. Just what do they think will happen. Once at the point where you fil the tray they begin looking for the trash for their water without giving up their place in line and delaying 100 behind them. Then we watch in amazement as they talk, laugh, love as they begin emptying their pockets and discussing if all the junk should be zipped in their luggage or tossed in the tray. Well, of course, the luggage idea wins and the 100 behind them wait patiently as they open and reorganize their luggage. Oooops, forgot the belt. Everyone back up so I can return to my tray …… At the other end, they own the aisle as they pick up, sort, redress, pull pocket items out of the luggage. This isn’t a one off event. This is pretty much a routine when I fly. Please put everything in your personal item, before you get in the security line.

At the gate Lufthansa decided to check bag sizes. It was great fun watching irate passengers trying to cram their obviously too large carry on into the sizing bin. One guy all but climbed on top and jumped up and down on it. I cheered!

Then it got sweet. Entering the plane we were all delayed a bit so I joked with the flight attendant, “are we going to have fun on this flight?” She promises yes, and about 30 minutes into the flight she brought Champaign to ensure that I did enjoy. Me on a Basic Economy ticket sitting in steerage got comped Champaign. G-d Bless the Lufthansa staff. Hopefully she is on the flight back to Budapest tomorrow …. I will bring something for her in the event that she is. Yes, an overnight trip to Ramstein Air Base to see my son.

Posted by
11027 posts

Have a great visit with your son this evening James. It must be great having him so close.

That stuff at the airport would have driven me mad. I try to stay philosophical about it but don’t always succeed.

Posted by
10364 posts

Glad you made it okay! Wasn’t the wedding this weekend? Or are my dates confused?

Posted by
24082 posts

Thank you guys. I was just venting. Despite the others, security at the Budapest airport rarely takes more than 5 minutes. Yes, the wedding is tomorrow before mass, then my flight home is at 10pm. They dont need me around on their wedding night.

I am still getting over the Champaign treatment. One act like that ensures good reviews or at least no bad reviews for a lot of years. Good marketing ... good heart.

Posted by
24082 posts

Shopping on base today. 40 years ago I designed BX's, including renovations to the one at Ramstein; today i don't recognize them. WOW!

I have been here 3 times in 3 years. Each time we go out and eat at least twice during my stay. I have yet to go to a restaurant in any of the towns surrounding the air base that takes a credit card. Its all cash only.

Posted by
24082 posts

My big take aways on this quick trip:

  1. Be prepared before you get in tge security line .... or some guy from Texas standing behind you might hsve some choice words for you.
  2. Cash is king in many German villages and towns and ATMs aren't on every street corner.
  3. FRA can be unnerving if you panick in crowds. That airport was packed solid both coming and going. But still efficient. Just not at all fun.
  4. The Fighting Texas Aggies remain undefeated.