I went to board my flight to New Delhi and the gate agent came up to me asking, "Are you Erica?" She told me that since I was an American Airlines frequent flier, they had moved my seat. I still had a window seat, so I didn't think much of it, and I thanked her. I sat down in the gate area--one of two women in a sea of Indian men, and the only white person in sight. I felt very conspicuous.
When they started boarding, they called me to the front of the line, which was awkward, and when I finally got on the plane, I realized that they hadn't just moved my seat assignment; they had upgraded me to first class. I laughed to myself when I realized that I would be flying first class for (I think) the first time in my life and hadn't even known. Then slowly I realized that I was the only one in first class. I had the whole cabin to myself. Every other passenger on the plane passed by, trying not to stare at me too openly, this one random white girl in first class on a plane full of Indian men.
If I'd been on a newer, fancier plane, I would have more to say about the first class experience. The seats were big, there were TV screens on the backs of the seats in front of me (but they didn't turn on), the food was good (but I think it was the same food everyone else got).
I went through customs when we landed, and everything was fine until I waited through a long line and then was told to go to Departures, rather than Transfers. I do not understand why, since it seems to me like I'm transferring. When I got to Departures and found the right counter, they told me that I have to wait four hours before I check in. I can't check in for my flight and go through security more than four hours before my flight. Unfortunately, there's not any nice kind of waiting area before security.
So right now, I'm sitting on a hard floor next to a charging station, Skype messaging with Jeff because the internet isn't good enough for a real call. On the bright side, when I first realized I would have to wait, I was pissed because my laptop was dead, I couldn't get on the internet, and I didn't think to put my outlet converters into my backpack. Then I realized that I had my suitcase with me from going through customs, so I could just get converters out, and after some messing around I figured out internet, and I was also able to grab my glasses from my bag, so I can actually see well now.
On the downside, I'm quite lonely, overwhelmed by the huge gender disparities, and I'm ready to be done traveling. My internet will run out soon, I'll have to say goodbye to Jeff (again), and I'll once again be sitting alone for hours and hours waiting for an unclear future.
I'm excited for someone to meet me at the airport and take care of me for at least a little while, and I'm really looking forward to lying down flat in a real bed.
For now, I wait.
When they started boarding, they called me to the front of the line, which was awkward, and when I finally got on the plane, I realized that they hadn't just moved my seat assignment; they had upgraded me to first class. I laughed to myself when I realized that I would be flying first class for (I think) the first time in my life and hadn't even known. Then slowly I realized that I was the only one in first class. I had the whole cabin to myself. Every other passenger on the plane passed by, trying not to stare at me too openly, this one random white girl in first class on a plane full of Indian men.
If I'd been on a newer, fancier plane, I would have more to say about the first class experience. The seats were big, there were TV screens on the backs of the seats in front of me (but they didn't turn on), the food was good (but I think it was the same food everyone else got).
I went through customs when we landed, and everything was fine until I waited through a long line and then was told to go to Departures, rather than Transfers. I do not understand why, since it seems to me like I'm transferring. When I got to Departures and found the right counter, they told me that I have to wait four hours before I check in. I can't check in for my flight and go through security more than four hours before my flight. Unfortunately, there's not any nice kind of waiting area before security.
So right now, I'm sitting on a hard floor next to a charging station, Skype messaging with Jeff because the internet isn't good enough for a real call. On the bright side, when I first realized I would have to wait, I was pissed because my laptop was dead, I couldn't get on the internet, and I didn't think to put my outlet converters into my backpack. Then I realized that I had my suitcase with me from going through customs, so I could just get converters out, and after some messing around I figured out internet, and I was also able to grab my glasses from my bag, so I can actually see well now.
On the downside, I'm quite lonely, overwhelmed by the huge gender disparities, and I'm ready to be done traveling. My internet will run out soon, I'll have to say goodbye to Jeff (again), and I'll once again be sitting alone for hours and hours waiting for an unclear future.
I'm excited for someone to meet me at the airport and take care of me for at least a little while, and I'm really looking forward to lying down flat in a real bed.
For now, I wait.
Too bad the upgrade wasn't on your 14hr flight, but fun anyways :) I hope the rest goes nice and smoothly...can't wait for the next installment of 'Erica's Very Long Travel Day'
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