We need to talk. I traveled during the partial shutdown that everyone has been talking about. I've traveled my whole life, so I've seen more than one tail wag the dog. I do believe there were lines. But we were led to believe that they were everywhere. I want to set the record straight.
I flew from Bradley International Airport in Hartford/Springfield, Connecticut/Massachusetts to Sky Harbor, Phoenix, Arizona. Bradley is small and normally my favorite airport in the world to navigate. Sky Harbor is enormous, has a history of security line issues, and was one of the airports that ICE Agents were sent to. Reality says that I should have had two very different experiences at these two very different airports.
What really happened?
I left for Bradley, knowing that they'd not received any assistance from ICE. I left very early for my flight. I arrived at the airport 3 hours ahead of time for the morning lines, which is one of the busiest times of day at that airport. When I arrived, I was shocked in a good way. I didn't wait in line to drop my bag. I didn't wait in line for more than five minutes at TSA. I had my passport because I haven't gotten a real ID yet. There was no issue. I have a prosthetic body part, so I have to be pulled aside at the scanner, and there was no issue. Everyone working was smiling and helpful and I was through TSA in a few minutes and then waited for almost three hours for my flight. Part one, no issues. If anything they were overstaffed.
Then, it was time to fly home. I dropped off my rental car a mere two hours early and went to the terminal. My bag drop was immediate. ICE Agents were at this airport.
How did that work?
ICE Agents are not trained to evaluate ID's or data from scanners. There's very little they can actually help with at these stations. However, here's what I can say. The agents helping at Sky Harbor were doing everything they could to help TSA. They guided people to the lines in an orderly fashion. They helped load the bins at the scanners and restocked them when necessary. They helped people with questions whenever they could. They were personable and friendly and helpful in any way they could be. I had a pleasant experience. As far as the lines go. There were none, and everyone working there said they haven't had much of a problem.
End result. I went through TSA in a matter of minutes in both airports. I had no problems and neither did anyone else near me. I don't know about any other airports, but that was my experience at those two.
Be very careful listening to news. It's not always there to be accurate and to help us. Sometimes it is incredibly skewed and not worth listening to.
A tip for anyone traveling and dealing with TSA. Thank them for what they do. Do as they ask. Smile and be polite. It always works for me.
Let's talk ICE. I wanted to say something. I know everything about these guys has become controversial. I just wanted to say that the agents I met were just doing their jobs. They'd been sent to do a job at airports and they were doing what they were told to do. I always remember, whether it's the National Guard in the subway in DC or ICE Agents at the airport. They are not the boss. They go where they are sent and do what they are told to do. They handle any situations that they encounter the best that they can. We all know that this hasn't always been successful, but most of them try their best. Not all, most. And always remember, if you have a beef with the agency; don't blame the messenger.
The ICE Agents I saw didn't overstep with the TSA professionals. They did whatever they could to help. They didn't act all big and bad with the flyers. They did whatever they could to help. I saw one go get a wheeled chair for a lady who was struggling and helped her through the process and made it easier for her. They were stopped by flyers and asked questions and they answered every question they could. Their boss ordered them to go there. They did what they were told. Remember that, whether you're dealing with TSA, ICE, or the National Guard. You might meet some really nice people. It's not all bad.
Let's talk Sky Harbor. Historically, this is one of my least favorite airports IN THE WORLD. I've been flying through there for 25 years. They still don't have airport Wi-Fi. Takeoffs and landings can be a nightmare due to the location in the hot arid desert in a bowl surrounded by mountains. Sometimes you feel like you've come in too fast when they pretty much slam on the brakes. Sometimes you feel like the takeoff is going straight up. The airport has it's challenges.
All of that aside, in the old days, Sky Harbor had one TSA checkpoint and you did wait for hours to get through. Not during a crisis. All the time. There were times that I came hours early and still almost missed my flight. The signage was poor in the old days and you sometimes could follow all the signs and end up in the wrong terminal. No it's not me, I travel a lot. It's analysis. Personally, I never got lost, but a lot of people asked for assistance.
In more recent times, they've added several TSA checkpoints, better signs, a sky train to help you navigate the property and many other things. They have nursing stations, animal relief areas, and enough bathrooms. That's important. That being said, it worked out in a time of need. Because of all the improvements, they were able to handle the partial shutdown. For the first time in my life, I have to say, good job Sky Harbor.
And then there's Breeze. I've talked about this airline before, but I want to do it again. I've flown multiple budget airlines in several countries. There's something about Breeze. They know how to treat people. I recommend to anyone to check them before booking a flight within our borders. They have some unusual routes that other airlines don't service, they are budget, they are reliable, and they are nice.
My main route is from Bradley to Sky Harbor and they do that. Most of the time it's direct. You can't beat that. On the occasion that they have to make a stop, normally in Norfolk, Virginia, they call it breezing through. The passengers going to Norfolk get off the plane. The ones going from Norfolk to Sky Harbor get on. The rest of us have the plane to ourselves. We get up, walk around, go to the bathroom, have a snack. Then we sit back down and go. There is no layover for us. I like that.
Breeze is like any other budget airline, most items from Wi-Fi to snacks are for sale. That's the life of budget air flying. But the staff is always extremely nice, the pilots are informative, so you never wonder what's happening. It's comfortable and even I who cannot sleep on planes; will sleep on Breeze. It's that comfortable.
So, next time you fly; check them out.
Those are my thoughts for this week. In a nutshell; don't believe everything you see and hear on the news. Don't be afraid to fly because a bunch of people who fly all the time tell you it's too inconvenient or unsafe. If it's all of that, why are congresspeople and news people flying at all? Think about that. Try a reliable budget airline. Thank a TSA agent for all they do. Be cooperative on planes and in airports. Not all ICE Agents are bad. Give them a chance and judge each one on their individual behavior as I hope you do for any other person you meet. In conclusion, go with the flow, don't judge too quickly, don't take the news as gospel.
Always fact check the news. You may be surprised what you find. Be a proactive person. Don't let the tail wag the dog.
Now, if you're curious about my travels or what I'm doing at the time, check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon.
Happy Travels! Enjoy!
