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Saturday, July 28, 2018

Flying Solo to Western Illinois: Albany International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

Since our retirement in September 2012, Eric and I always travel together.  The Full Time
RV Lifestyle makes this the obvious option.  My weekend trip west to Illinois for my Cousin Marilyn's Birthday makes solo travel necessary.



Eric dropped me off at
Albany International
Airport @ 4:30 am.





Photo from albanyairport.com





Southwest Airlines is busy....

This flight goes to Chicago.









I pulled out my tickets to
double check the Departure
Time & Gate Number.









I also check the Departure
Boards for Flight 520.

All the information 
matches.





When Eric and I travel we have each other's backs.  I must have my own back, for a change.  Will I forget anything?  Will I lose my Boarding Pass?  I am a bit nervous.

The TSA Checkpoint went smoothly.  I was concerned about taking off my sandals and walking barefoot across the Airport's carpeting.  When's the last time it was cleaned?  What's in there?  Athlete's Foot Fungus?  How contagious is Plantar's Wart?

After going through the TSA Checkpoint and putting my sandals back on, it's time to explore the Terminal before heading to Gate C 2.

 



a brisk business.










One of Lia Honda's car
is on display.

A traveler catching
some zzzzzzs.




There are numerous PA Announcements for people to return to the TSA Screening Area to pick up their Laptops, Tablets, Phones.  One person left a credit card at one of the stores.  
I checked my bags.  I have everything I packed with me.





just about anything a traveler
 may have forgotten.




everything needed to 
charge your devices.










Waiting for the B Group
to board so I can get in
line.






I skipped the $15.00 fee to get my Boarding Assignment early.  I can sit anywhere....





Boarding my first commercial
air flight in 5 1/2 years







I walked to the rear of the plane, stowed my carry on luggage in an overhead bin and took a middle seat.  I asked my permission of my seat-mate, Mary, to lean in to take pictures from
the window.





I wonder if this is the




That's Lake Michigan
& Chicago below.









The plane emptied out at







Being in the back of the plane was a good strategy for me.  After most of the passengers departed, I removed my carry on bag from the overhead compartment.  For some reason,
I became concerned about dropping my bag on a fellow traveler.  Without a crowd around
me, the only thing I can drop my bag on is my feet.

Travelers have connecting flights to Cleveland, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri, Sacramento and
Los Angeles, California.  A handful of travelers stayed on the plane, which is headed to
Las Vegas.

I have just over an hour to get to my Gate, so I have time to explore this larger airport.

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