Well it was coming on winter brake and a trip to see the family in NY was on the December calendar.
Thinking it would be less crowded and crazy we booked to fly on Christmas day. Little did I know I was just about to experience my first white Christmas.
Travel tip number three. I suggest fasting the day you fly. This way you don’t need to go poo or pee too much. Even though I arrive ravenous, I recommend it.
We usually take early morning flights so I don’t think about my breakfast that much.
At the airport, we check our baggage, and go through security.
Travel tip number four, don’t let them put you through the xray scanner! insist on a pat down, or pet down preferred.
Flight and plane changes went without a hitch.
However, just as we were coming towards NY, the pilot announced that all three NY airports were closed down due to the heavy snow storm. We flew back to an airport in Raleigh Durham and waited. And waited.
We sat on that tarmac in Raleigh for 5 hours!
Naturally my companion was very concerned that I would need to go potty. She had the airport personal take me from the plane, because of 9/11 airport security, passengers were not allowed to deplane, so aiport personel walked me around the tarmac. I wouldn’t go because it wasn’t the right place for me. They felt so bad that they even bent the rules and let my companion take me around on the tarmac for a second try, but I just couldn’t pee there.
Finally, after 5 LONG hours they opened Kennedy airport and we arrived safely...a short cab ride later and we were in the city and at a patch of grass I knew was all mine. Whew.! Now that’s how I spell relief!
I held it for 16 hours!
All I could say was NEVER AGAIN! and of course, WHERE’S THE FOOD???
Travel tip number five. Make sure you get to go potty between flights BEFORE you board your next plane.
Fortunately, I am pleased to report there are several places where this is possible.
In Phoenix there is the ‘Bone Yard’, it's clean, well maintained, with several filled dog poop bag dispensers, and it is shaded from the hot sun. In Chicago, I recommend you go in front of the Hilton on their huge grassy lawn. It's also fun to have a run and stretch there before reboarding. Atlanta was a bit of a challenge. My companion had to scale a wall in a hot parking garage, and then all that was there for me was gravel pebbles. Better than nothing.
As soon as we arrive at Laguardia in NY and after baggage claim, we always go where the taxi stands are. Across from the cabs the airport just set up a new, safe, enclosed grassy area called 'Short Term Barking'.
Happy tails, Nam out.
