Since we have progressed in our ability to travel long distances frequently, one would think that travel would become easier. Globalization certainly has helped bring nations closer, but international travel is entirely another matter.
My wife and I traveled to India via London and Dubai twice in 2006, and both trips were quite arduous. Our first trip was in January 2006. There were no "orange alerts" at that time. We boarded Virgin Atlantic Airways in Orlando.
"You need to report three hours before the gate closes," the airline informed us, so we were there very early. The line was already a half-mile long, winding along the limited space in front of the counter, and it was moving ever so slowly. Our travel documents were checked over and over again.
At the check-in counter, our bags were inspected and weighed as we attested that we had packed everything ourselves. I thought I was rid of the two biggest suitcases when the official said, "You now have to take this to the X-ray screening machine and load them yourself."
We dragged the suitcases, hefted them onto the belt, sent them through the screening device and got them sealed and certified at the other end. Then the luggage had to be dragged back to the check-in counter for final loading. No help was available, and we were willing to tip generously.
The next step, going through the security gates, would be easy, I thought.
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