Home again

I flew home on Monday. What a trip! An 8-hour flight from Helsinki to JFK and another 5-hour flight to LAX. We got in half an hour early to LAX - but then waited almost an hour for a gate. Air travel is living up to all the worst publicity nowadays. Every seat is full. I swear the seats have been pushed closer together. I don't know how really big and/or tall people can tolerate coach anymore. Meals were free on the Helsinki flight, but not on the flight to LAX.

Here's the final waiting lounge for my flight in Helsinki. We went through no less than four passport checks before getting onto the plane. I suppose any flight, especially going into JFK, is subject to serious security - another sign of the times.

For the JFK-LAX flight, my checked bag was opened, as I discovered later from the little TSA inspection label they left behind. But any jumbo jet leaving JFK with a full supply of fuel must also be suspect in this day and age.

Here is my plane, a big MD-11, waiting at the Helsinki airport. Light rain, but we took off on time.

I wonder how Europeans feel when they arrive at JFK. At the Helsinki airport, free luggage carts were outside the airport to lug your checked baggage to the ticket counter. Inside security, there were more free carts, a bit smaller, to drag your carry-ons to the gate. But when you arrive at JFK, no carts are available when you get off the plane and stand in line for passport checks. Then you get your checked bag (even if you are continuing on) to stand in line for customs, then drag it to another counter to re-check for your next flight. Carts are available -- for $3! Welcome to America!

My visits to Finland and Estonia were great, but it's always nice to be home.

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