Knowing that Friday, the 24th, was going to be one nasty travel day didn't prepare us for the luggage schlepping, miscellaneous aggravation, and the heat of mid-day Honolulu International. Our flight from Maui was 25 minutes. Add the hour and a half you have to be there before your flight plus the pat-down by a Homeland Security officer because your watch set off the much-more-sensitive-than-normal security screen. "Over here, miss. Please stand with your legs apart, arms out to your sides, palms up." The wand which was passed all over me kept setting off an alarm. With a chuckle from my female frisker, she told me it was my underwire bra. Well, I guess it was my turn. The last time I was searched at an airport was coming out of Beijing, China in 2002. And almost everyone got searched there. I just didn't expect it at a little airport like Kahului (OGG) in Maui.

Our flight on Hawaiian Airlines deposited us at one end of the Honolulu airport. Continental's check-in was about a half mile away at the other end. So we had to grab our six pieces of luggage and wheel them on a cart. We have had experience in the past that certain airports, notably Miami, will not take your luggage if you are too early for a flight. You have to sit outside with your luggage until they tell you it's time to check in. Fortunately, Continental accommodated us, and we got rid of our four check-in pieces. But honestly, 6 hours is too long to wait around in the heat. Honolulu International is an open airport in most of the terminal areas. The windows around the gates have glass, but the other windows are wide open to the breezes (where ARE they today?), sounds and smells of jet engines, birds, etc.

I suggested to Larry that we look into Continental's President's Club. At least we could get out of the noise and heat. Larry looked at me like I had two heads. Membership to this club is outrageously expensive, and we don't fly often enough to make it worthwhile. Well, we knocked on the door to find out if there was a one-day pass we could buy. The receptionist asked to see our boarding passes and told us to come in. Hmmm, air conditioning, snacks, drinks (soda, alcohol, milk, juice, water), soft lighting, quiet, TV lounge, restrooms, WIFI, comfortable chairs and sofas. Free? Yesssss, jackpot!

So we sit and wait and watch the Olympics on TV or movies on the computer (we brought some DVD's from home). At 10:00PM, we can board the plane. We are supposed to have dinner on this flight. Wow, a meal after midnight. I just might be too old now to do that kind of eating!