Monday, October 25, 1943.

Monday, October 25, 1943.
It rained hard last night, and still raining all day today! I sent some telegrams telling people that I have returned to the States. Tonight, I saw the movie, “Princess O’Rourke”, and then I called home.
Tuesday, October 26, 1943.
It is still raining this morning, but Bob Jarrett, Jim Wolfcale and I went into town. We just intended to bum around. We went in on the bus, and then out to Langley Field. Jarrett used to be stationed there as an enlisted man. Our first stop was at the Finance Office, where we collected some per diem.
We found out that we could take our 6-4 physicals here, although we weren’t scheduled for them until Friday. Then, they decided that we would have to wait and take our physical at our next permanent station., instead! So, we went over to Headquarters and pushed our Orders through S-1. We hurried back to the Camp for our baggage, While Wolf waited for the Orders. We just made it back to Hampton Roads in time for the 7:15 pm train - after a taxi bill of about $15!
I received a telegram from Nancy Smith, but no money order from home. We changed trains at Richmond. I have a 20 day leave! Wolf and I have Pullman compartment together.

Sunday, October 24, 1943.

Sunday, October 24, 1943.
We arrived in the harbor at Newport News at 3:24 this morning after a little more than a weeks trip. The tugs didn’t get us in tow and docked until 10:30. I ate dinner on board. The prisoners were unloaded afterwards. I got off the ship about 2:00 PM. They had a band on the dock playing the Air Corps songs, other marches, and songs that were popular when we were still Stateside.
The prisoners must have wondered, when they saw the German helmets and rifles some of the passengers brought back with them - possibly their own!
We boarded a troop train, which took us to Camp Patrick Henry (Virginia) - a Staging area. There was a very nice officers’ club, and very good food. I was surprised to see a mob of WAACS there - especially, after returning from “No Woman’s’ Land”. They are very impressive.
I tried calling home tonight, but no soap. There was much emotion, which the boys had been holding back, when they beheld the good old USA. Everything became more clear why we were fighting.

Saturday, Ocyober 23, 1943.

Saturday, October 23, 1943.
I saw a plane today, so the good old USA can’t be too far away. This gives me a keen feeling to know that it had come from the states. I read and played rum this afternoon. Roast turkey for supper tonight. I guess this is our last night on the boat. The weather is much cooler for a change.

Thursday, October 21, 1943.

Thursday, October 21, 1943.
We had roast duck for supper tonight. Our British waiters are very efficient and courteous. (An aside, I don’t remember tipping them at the end of our trip? I wasn’t “Cruise” savvy back then - nor am I now. I have never been on a “paid” cruise!)
We passed through a storm this afternoon, which gave us a very rough ride. I picked 514 ½ knots for today’s mileage, and missed it by ½ knot! We had our daily practice drill. I played cards and read tonight. I listened to a U.S. radio station, on the ship’s P.A. system. They gave their predictions for Saturday’s football games.
Friday, October 22, 1943.
The ship made only 479 knots today, due to the storm. Good meals as per usual. The prisoners on board must be sensing the closeness of the U.S., as they were frisky and playing games. I read and played cards tonight.

Tuesday, October 10, 1943.

Tuesday, October 19, 1943.
Fresh oranges and apples today! Also, fresh steak and apple pie! The prisoners were out on deck singing. Another practice “Action and Muster” drill. I went to 8:00 o’clock mass and communion, this morning, in the Rec Room. I read tonight.
Wednesday, October 20, 1943.
Another day at sea. We had a practice emergency drill this afternoon, as per usual. The German Consul to Italy is on board. They captured him in Naples.

Monday. October 18, 1943.

Monday, October 18, 1943.
A beautiful day on the Atlantic ocean today! We have traveled 521 knots the past 24 hours. I am in a “pool”, and we all guess the days mileage.” For today, I guessed only 489 knots. We are traveling a zigzag course, and I must have been influenced by that. Abut every 10 minutes, the ship changes it’s heading, because we are unescorted. The theory is, that it takes an enemy sub about that length of time to zero us in it’s sight.
It seems strange to order from a menu, instead of knowing that you were having “C” Rations - not by choice! I took a bath in the TUB in our suite, but it was lather-less due to using salt water. Fresh water is available only three times a day - at meal times - and even then, hot water is at a premium, and a real luxury.
We had a practice “Action and Muster” drill this afternoon. I read tonight. The clocks go back another hour at midnight. Supposedly, we are entering the most hazardous 24 hours of the trip!

Sunday, October 17, 1943.

Sunday, October 17, 1943.
Very good food, today, as per usual. Fresh celery this noon, and apples tonight. They had mass this morning in the Recreation Room, so I attended. I saw about 200 German Officers march to chow. We had a life boat drill this afternoon Wolf, Fred and I played Rum tonight. I turned my watch back an hour. A PBY Flying Boat has been escorting us all day. They just keep circling - looking for German U boats, I presume.

Saturday, October 16, 1943.

Saturday, October 16, 1943.
Up for breakfast at 0815. I have an assigned table, and time, for the whole trip! I am really surprised with the beautiful dining salon, and pleasantly pleased with the fine food! The service (all British personnel) is perfect. For breakfast, I had a choice of hot or cold cereal, coffee, rolls, toast, FRESH butter, marmalade, FRESH bacon and sausages!
They loaded hospital casualties aboard this morning - a very pitiful sight. At the same tome, fresh recruits were unloading. As the two groups passed, they wished each other luck! Very emotional and touching for me. The “rookies” must have done some tall thinking!
Dinner (lunch) was at 1300. I had STEAK, REAL mashed potatoes and gravy; rolls and butter, coffee, onions, FRESH tomato and lettuce salad, vegetable soup, rutabaga and rice pudding for dessert!
This afternoon, they loaded German prisoners of war aboard
At 1700, we shoved off, leaving the tugs and Casablanca behind, about 1800, and passing by American, French and British Men of War. The sea is noticeably rough, but to a seaman it is probably smooth. We carry our life jackets everywhere we go now. A blackout is enforced at 1830, and no one is permitted on deck.. We do not have an escort, so no unnecessary chances are taken. There is no beer or liquor aboard (officially). Some WAACs, nurses, and civilians, are also on board.
Supper at 2000. They served:- fresh veal, baked potato, rolls and butter, coffee, Brussels sprouts, potato soup, and Jell-O. Very fine meals. I stopped in at the small canteen. I was hungry for candy. You could buy only six Hershey’s or Nestles at a time.
Rain storms tonight. Red Bird Juster, Bob Jarrett and Jim Wolfcale have “Watch’ duty. Someone found a German prisoner scraping the black paint off the port hole. As a result, the prisoners lost their lighting privilege, and were blacked out. I had some orange juice in the Officers’ Club Room . I turned my watch back one hour.

Friday, October 15, 1943.

Friday, October 15, 1943.
No breakfast this morning - fresh out! We have been alerted about shipping out, so I am staying in camp. A poor lunch and dinner. I got some money changed, and went to the PX. I ran into Beatty, who is just coming over here from the U.S.!
We left here about 1930, by truck, for the boat. After waiting around quite a while (the old military game), I boarded at 2330. My baggage almost got the best of me. It weighs more than I do!
This is a beautiful, and large ship - the Empress of Scotland, It used to be the Empress of Japan, and sailed on the Pacific run. It sure is nice! There are 12 of us in a fairly large room, in double-deck bunks. I have an upper berth - beneath a port hole. We have a separate bath. The room was a suite for two in peacetime! At that time, the ship carried about a tenth of the complement as now!
Our Steward is named “Snowy”, and he is very nice. Our bunks are very soft and inviting - with CLEAN linens and TWO soft pillows, and two woolen blankets. There are officers from P-40’s; B-17’s; b-25’s and B-26’s in here. We have already started arguing about the relative merits of our different planes. I go to bed not knowing if we will leave tonight or not. (P.S. - We didn’t get away.)

Wednesday, October 13, 1943.

Wednesday, October 13, 1943.
This morning was damp and foggy - good California weather! I went in to town this afternoon. Tonight, I saw the movie, “Dumbo” - pretty good..
It rained hard tonight..
Thursday, October 14, 1943.
I packed up this morning and moved over to 32 Battalion; Company at Don Passage - awaiting shipment home. This is a new place - stone barracks - cots and a couple of blankets. They use mess kits - if you can find one. But, not much to eat if you do find one!
Jim Wolfcale, Bob Jarrett and I went in to Casa Blanca this afternoon. I did some shopping, and changed my few remaining Francs in to good old U.S. money. I ate supper in town, and had some beers. Then, went to the Red Cross Vox theatre, and saw “Honeymoon lodge.”

Tuesday, October 12, 1943.

Tuesday, October 12, 1943.
Columbus Day today. It is a very nice fall day. I went over to the PX and Air Corps Supply this morning. I slept for a while this afternoon, and then went in to town. I walked around sightseeing, and I did some shopping.
I ate supper in town, and then ran into Fred Olson - one of the Squadron’s pilots who has also completed his Tour of Duty. I went to the Red Cross theatre and saw “Casablanca” in Casablanca! How many people can say that? It was an outdoor movie, with a beautiful full moon shining above us, and shining through the palm trees, and reflecting off the white buildings!

Monday, October 11, 1943.

Monday, October 11, 1943.
I went over to the PX this morning, and then to the Operations office. This afternoon, I went in to Casa Blanca and walked around town, and then back to the Officers’ Club. I ate dinner in town, and then listened to the World Series on the radio. The Yanks won, 2-0, and copped the Series 4 games to 1.

Sunday, October 10, 1943.

Sunday, October 10, 1943.
Father Maher sent his car to pick us up for mass this morning. And then out to the plane afterwards. I “served” mass for him, and I got a big thrill out of it, as did he. I bid him goodbye, and we took off for Casa Blanca.
We landed in Casa Blanca shortly after lunch. I got settled, and then took off for town. Casa Blanca is quite a large-modern and nice city. There are many novelty and souvenir shops - dealing mostly in leather, and in metal jewelry. There is a very nice Officers’ Club in the French Automobile Club. They have a wet bar and a snack bar, where you can get different kinds of sandwiches, ginger ale, Coke, lemonade and ice cream.
I listened to the World series on the radio tonight, and the Yanks beat the Cards again, 2-1.

Saturday, October 9, 1943.

Saturday, October 9, 1943.
They picked us up at the hotel, and hurried us out, to wait at the field, for the transports. Not all of us got on. They went according to the length of time on the waiting list.
The four hour flight to La Senia, at Oran, was pretty rough. But, the old veteran C-47, with it’s wings flapping like a birds, weathered it O.K.
I picked up my Orders at Operations, sending me home. I had a snack at the snack bar (no breakfast or lunch!), and then went over to our quarters. It is an old French barracks, but quite comfortable. Italian prisoners of war help in the Mess Halls, and are Orderlies. They are very good workers and seem happy. They want to go home and fight against the Boche.
I noticed a Father Maher’s name on a church bulletin, so called him. Sure enough, it was THE FATHER MAHER!( He used to be the Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s church in Berea. My Dad took a liking to him, and Father Maher gave him “instructions”, and converted him to Catholicism in 1935or 6.). So, I went over to the chapel before services tonight, and had a good talk. I stayed for Rosary, Benediction and Novena, and then went to confession afterwards.
I then went back to the Officers’ Club for the dance. They had a very good orchestra, and some pretty fair nurses were there. I danced and then had a good buffet snack - baked beans, pickles, French fries, coffee, sandwiches, doughnuts, salad and fish, The Arab wine was cold - period.

Friday, October 8, 1943.

Friday, October 8, 1943.
We went out to Foche Field this morning, and then out to our Field. Mac and Ray came in and picked us up. We got everything straightened out, and then found we were listed on Air Force Orders, as well as Group Orders.
We are supposed to leave on transport for Oran in the morning. We came back in to town to stay the night.

Thursday, October 6, 1943.

Thursday, October 6, 1943.
Red and I went to the show tonight. Saw “Nurse Edith Cavell”. Quite good and enjoyed it. Chow at the Red Cross Club. We found out that we are on orders to go to Oran, so went out to the field. Jim Wolfcale came back in town with us. He brought his cot, and stayed all night with us.
The Yankees beat the Cards 6-2 today.

Sunday, October 14, 2007.

Sunday, October 14, 2007.
Brittney and Joan visited us today, and we really enjoyed seeing them. It had been quite a while since Marie had seen Brittney, and she really looked sharp! It was very thoughtful of Joan to drive her down. We are fortunate to have such a lovely granddaughter. Their visit really gave Marie a pickup! After they left, she got dressed, and went out in the back yard, and did a little gardening. She will work up a little appetite for dinner.

Wednesday, October 6, 1943.
I ate at the Baghdad this morning - bacon, fried eggs as well as melon. Then, I stopped in at the church, and another funeral mass was in progress. I read, wrote a letter and had a French class this afternoon.
It rained this evening. I ran into MacDonald in the ice cream line at the Red Cross Club. The Cards beat the Yankees 4-3 today.

Tuesday, October 5, 1943.

Tuesday, October 5, 1943.
I ate at the Officers’ Mess this morning, and also this noon - fresh meat for a change! I stopped in at the cathedral this morning, during a mass for the dead.
I lounged around at the Red Cross Club, and had chocolate ice cream this afternoon. I went out to the field tonight, and picked up my mail, and took a shower, and change clothes. I ate supper - had a beer, and back into town tonight. I wrote a couple of letters.
The Yanks won the first game of the World series 4-2. Red stayed out at the field, and will be in tomorrow.

Monday, October 4, 1943.

Monday, October 4, 1943.
I ate breakfast at the Officers’ Mess this morning, and then stopped in at the cathedral in Tunis. I got some PX rations at the 2nd S.A.C. Then, I stopped at the regular officers’ PX, and got a haircut before dinner. Dinner at the Officers’ Mess, and then lounged around the Red Cross Club until “Snack Time”.
Tonight, Red and I saw Laurel and Hardy in “ A Haunting We Will Go”. A good laugh for a “blue” Monday. I came back to the Club, and a party was in progress. I hung around, listened to the music and watched them dance. Refreshments, and then upstairs to bed.

Sunday, October 3, 1943.

Sunday, October 3, 1943.
Redbird and I went to 0830 Mass this morning and communion. The French Boy Scouts also went - en masse!
I walked around Tunis, and then wrote some letters. I had dinner, and then looked around this afternoon. Pineapple ice cream today. Non-op today. Bum weather as per usual.
I talked with Elaine, a French girl that’s a hostess here at the Red Cross. I had a regular bull session. Heard a re-broadcast of Charlie McCarthy, also the Mothers’ Day program of the Band Wagon.
The pianist was in tonight. He is a student of Paderewski. He started playing piano at the age of 5, and gave his first concert when he was 11. He has toured in the States. He speaks broken English, and plays our tunes. He is a political refugee from Austria. He empties all the ash trays into his coat pocket. He is never without his pipe. He stopped in the middle of playing Lebensraum, to tear some cigarette butts up and fill his pipe, and light up. Then, he continued on playing from where he had left off!

October 2, 1943.

Saturday, October 2, 1943.
I got up late for breakfast this morning, at the G.I. Mess, and so I ate at some dive. I got docked 75 francs for a couple of eggs, besides taking a chance on a good dose of the G.I’s.
I mailed some stuff home. It cost more than the stuff was worth. I ate dinner at the NASAF Mess. I lounged around, and then ate at the Red Cross this afternoon. I had steak for supper at the G.I. Mess. I came back to the Red Cross and wrote letters, and listened to the radio.
The Allies took Naples today!

REUNION Completion. Monday, October 1, 2007.

REUNION - Completion. Monday, October 1, 2007.
Well, the weekend flew by, and this is already get-away day. I am not looking forward to another 12 hour day! Of the less than 80 hours I was gone, 24 of them were spent going and coming! My Monday started out on the weird side. Saturday morning at breakfast, I asked the Hostess what time she would be open for breakfast the next morning. She said 6 o’clock. I told her that I had a 6 shuttle reservation. She then told me to come down about 5:30, and she would have a breakfast ready for me. Sunday night, I left a 5 A.M. “wake-up” call, and made a reservation for the 6A.M. shuttle to the airport. I also set my wind-up alarm for 5, figuring that between the two I would at least hear one of them. Well, I didn’t. When the phone rang, I jumped out of bed and looked at the clock, and it was 6 A .M.! What a shock! I can’t explain the weird feeling of hopelessness I had. I dressed hurriedly, brushed my teeth and finished packing, and was off. Fortunately, they put the statement under the door during the night, so didn’t have to check out.
When I got to the front of the hotel, I told the desk clerk That I left a call for 5. He said they called at 5, and there was no answer. He also said that he never saw anyone who slept so soundly. I didn’t tell him that I was still awake at 2;30! I didn’t sleep well any of the three nights I was there. I don’t know why. He could see that I was stressed, so he went in the back and came out with a Hampton Inn, “On the Run” sack breakfast. About then the breakfast hostess came up and said, “Where were you? I fixed breakfast for you!
About then, a shuttle driver came in and said she ate my breakfast, and would be driving me to the airport. She said she didn’t have any passengers at the Best Western, so she came over to take me to the airport. Apparently, the desk had called her. She did her best to relax me by assuring me that I had plenty of time to make my 0830 flight. She had been working all night, and was still friendly and up beat. Her shift ended at 7:00, and we arrived at the airport at 0630. No one ahead of me at Southwest ticketing, and Security went fast and smoothly, and had my shoes back on by 0700. On to Gate B-10 (at the end of the concourse, as per usual) to catch Flight 259 to Oakland - with one stop in Phoenix. The Cleveland airport is much quieter than Oakland’s. Of course, it is early in the morning.
I pre-boarded - what a nice benefit. I picked a window seat on the same side as when inbound - so I could see other scenery in the opposite direction going back. We pushed back from the Gate at 0828, and took off to the Southwest at 0835, after a 35 second run (there must not have been much wind.).
We passed through 10,000 feet at 0840. We are passing through a cold front, lying north-south through Toledo , at 0850. The seat-belt sign is still “On,” as it is a little bumpy, as we skim over the top of cumulus clouds just below us. We are through the front at 0910. It is 1110 (EDT), and the pilot reports that we are 570 miles from Phoenix. I can see many circles on the ground, and the pilot said that they do a lot of soy bean farming in the mid-west. We are leaving western Kansas and entering over Eastern Nebraska.
It is 1125, and flying over desert now. I can see a small plane flying about a 1,000 feet below us, heading in the opposite direction. They served a box of “Travel Snacks” shortly after take-off from /Cleveland. The flight attendants have come through the cabin twice since - serving water, soft drinks and coffee.
We are starting our letdown into Phoenix at 1155 EDT. I set my watch back two hours to Mountain Daylight Time - even though Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time. It is overcast below, and our plane makes a great silhouette on the cloud tops. It is a smooth ride even though we are letting down through the overcast. We break out of the clouds, 100 miles out, at 12:20The pilot reports 85 degrees on the ground in Phoenix, and we will be on the ground in in 25 minutes. Also, that we will be on the ground for 20 minutes, and then on to Oakland. We are flying just above the mountains in the area. It is hard to believe the large area covered by the cities of Phoenix/Scottsdale. Between these two cities and Tucson, there’s not much desert left in Arizona. I’ve never thought of Phoenix as a big city. But, when I look down and see the vast and extensive freeway system, one would think that it is L.A. On our final approach we pass very close to the downtown high-rise buildings. We touched down at 1236.
While on the ground in Phoenix, I asked the flight attendant how many passengers the plane held. She said 137, with about 100 on board from Cleveland to Phoenix, and 11 of these remaining on board to continue on to Oakland.
One of the Phoenix passengers, picked the aisle seat in my row. To be friendly, I asked him what time it was in Phoenix? He replied, “The same time”! “They walk among us!”
We pushed back from the Gate at 1030 PDT, and were off the ground at 1036 - a 35 second takeoff- run to the west. There were a few middle seats vacant (a 3 by 3 configuration) on all legs of my flights - to and from!
I can see the Sierra Nevada mountains close by and visibility is so good that I can see the blue Pacific in the distance, off to the west. I can also see a wisp of smoke rising to the west. Don’t know if it is one of the old fires, or a new one. I would guess that we are flying at about 25 thousand feet. (the higher the altitude, the more efficient is the jet engine). We are flying over desolate desert area northwest of Phoenix. I can’t help but wonder where Fossett is when I look down at this large desolate area. I keep thinking what if I spot his crash site?
Flying across highways 395, 99, I-5 and the Central canal. It is noon, and we are experiencing a bumpy ride. The pilot is slowly descending to smoother airspace. It is noon. We are entering the top of the clouds - probably around 10,000 feet.
We touch down at Oakland at 1230. As we taxi in to the terminal, I notice a large boom pumping concrete on the ramp. More airport expansion I presume. Wouldn’t you know, we park at Gate 30 - at the end of the concourse.
I pick up my suitcase off the carousel and tow it over to Station 4E to await the 2:30 Evans. Back at the Courtyard hotel in Vallejo at 3:15, picked up my car, and walked in the door here at 3:30 - another 12 hour day .
To recap: It was a very interesting trip. I was very pleased at how well I weathered the trip. I was a little skeptical and hesitant to make the long trip, but I did just fine! I thank the Good Lord for a very nice and safe trip!

Reunion - Continued

REUNION - Continued.
We met at 11:30 on Saturday morning, September 29th, at the Station Restaurant in Berea. This building has a lot of history, as it formerly was the New York Central depot. My Dad commuted from here into his office, in the Cleveland Terminal building, for seven years. For the last three of these years, whenever I needed our car (most families were lucky - during The Great Depression to have one car - many had none.), I would drive my Dad down to the depot to catch the 7 A.M. “Plug” heading into Cleveland. Then, I would pick him up at 6P.M. Back in those days, there were many commuters. Today, Amtrak doesn’t even stop here.
There were 17 of us for lunch - 7 from our Class of 1936; 2 from the Class of ‘35 and 5 from the Class of ‘37. and three guests.
I sat across from Rose Petersson. a very charming and entertaining lady of 89 - the mother of seven! Rose is tiny - probably 5 feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. Gordon picked her up, and she rode to the Reunion with us. She lives in an apartment complex in downtown Berea, where Gordon also used to live. When they took our "drink" orders before we ate, she said "I think I will get a shot with a beer chaser!" But, she ended up ordering ice tea - big in the midwest. Then, for lunch, she ordered a sirloin steak - also big in the midwest.

My lunch was great! The waitress said that their specialty was quiche, and that the chef had made a seafood quiche especially for us , as it is not on the menu. So, I ordered that. It was the best quiche that I’ve ever had.
We had a leisurely lunch, and then re-convened at the Mahler Museum for a social get-together and cake.
It was great seeing everyone - especially realizing that this will probably be my last chance to join the others, for our Reunions.
On Sunday, Kathleen and Grady Dorsey picked me up and I accompanied them to St,. Mary’s church for their noon Mass. I was standing in the outer foyer of the hotel, waiting for my ride to church. Suddenly, I had a "flashback" to 35 years ago - when Virginia and Pete Parin would pick uop Mom, and give her a ride to and from St. John's church in Ypsilanti. She always stood by her front door waiting for them, so she wouldn't keep them waiting. Here I am, so many years later, following in her footsteps! I was a former member of the parish, when old St. Mary’s was located in downtown Berea, during the ‘30’s. After church, they drove me al around Berea so I could see old sights and new changes. It was very interesting to me to view all of this - including the house where I used to live, as well as the house where Kathleen (a native Berean) lived when she was growing up. After church, We spent the afternoon looking at pictures from their Alaska trip from which they had recently returned. At 5:00 we met Dorsey’s oldest daughter Maureen, husband Greg, and Michael and Megan for supper. The Dorseys treated us all at the Station restaurant. I could visit there every day and not get tired of it. Naturally, the “station” is close to two pairs of mainland tracks. Trains are going by about every 5 or 6 minutes - mostly freight trains - a lot of atmosphere! Nearby, every time a train would go by, I noticed a young boy popping up in his booth and waving at the train. I noticed that the freight trains no longer carry cabooses! Communication and control, today, are all electronic. A bit of mid-west humor! The waiter gave the bill-tray to Greg, and he, matter of factly, passed it on to Grady with the comment; “You can thank me, for I could very easily have intercepted it!”
The Dorseys dropped me of at the Hampton Inn, after a long but very interesting day.

Reunion

REUNION - September 28, 2007.
I would like to invite you along to experience my 12 hour day:
I am about to head for Cleveland to attend my 71st high school reunion. I am able to go, first of all, because my daughters, Joan and Sue, agreed to alternate staying with Marie, while I was gone for nearly four days. Too, my health (at 88) permitted me to undertake the long and tiring trip - plus I could afford the moderate -travel expense.
I left the house at 0930 Friday morning (9/28/07), and drove to the Courtyard Hotel in Vallejo to catch the 10 A.M. Evans Airporter - (fare $29 each way). The Courtyard charges $5 per day ($20 per week) to park your car at the hotel. It I a cool and cloudy day.
We arrived at Stop 4E at the Oakland Airport at 1100. The airport was quite crowded, which didn’t surprise me being a “get-away” afternoon, and it had been three years since I last flew out of there. The long lines through Southwest ticketing and Security, wind back and forth paralleling each other. For a minute, I thought that I was in Disneyland! The sign said “e-ticket line”. In that I purchased my ticket on-line, I got in this line. Soon, a Southwest employee told me that I had to get in another line - “for age verification!” Thirty minutes for age verification, to check my suitcase and get my boarding pass.
Then, on to the next adventure. I took off my white-Rocsports and grabbed a bin to put them in - along with my jacket and sweater. Then, scrounged another bin for my “carry-on” bag (which Mary had given me) - a quart zip-bag, holding my meds, and another quart baggie holding my watch and car keys. In 20 minutes, I cleared Security, and re-dressed. But, I was in no hurry, Flight 2639 wasn’t scheduled to leave until 1445 - time to get, and eat, a ham and cheese sandwich, and to visit the Men’s Room a couple of times. No matter where I go - or what airport I use, my Gate is always the last one on the concourse. Today is no exception! - Gate 32!
It is surprising how many people travel with their pillows! One guy had to kneel on his suitcase - pushing his pillow inside as he struggled to zip it closed. Southwest doesn’t have “assigned seating” so it’s one big scramble for position, at the boarding gate - “first come - first served”. Your boarding pass assigns you to a row - A,B or C. About an hour before the scheduled departure time, the gate attendants permit the passengers to sit on the floor - to stake out their place in the boarding line. Before the magic hour, the boarding area is practically empty. Then, they come out of the woodwork and the place is jammed full! People preferring to sit and wait, have to maneuver around the “floor people” like an obstacle course. Cattle have more room in their environment! The “floor people” spend their time eating, drinking coffee, on their cell phones or using their laptops.
An interesting sight! A tall-thin young guy is running out to Gate 32. He is carrying his shoes, and wears an Afghan cap (similar to the Taliban!). It is two minutes before the scheduled departure time!
It is now 1500, and I still haven’t moved. It has been five hours since I boarded Evans. I decided to pre-board, because all the flights are running at least 90 % full - only a few middle seats unoccupied. Besides, I don’t own a laptop. I asked the gate attendant if she wanted to see my health letter, and she said she would take my word for it. (I had asked my Congestive-Heart Case Manager if he would prepare a letter explaining my health condition - which he did. I took this with me when I was going to the A’s games as I was using the VIP and handicapped elevator.) I hesitated to pre-board before, but at 88 I feel that I need the privilege. So, the parents with kids - the disabled in wheel chairs, and I board first. Nice to have your choice of seats, plus not getting hit with the wild -passengers boarding with huge shoulder bags! A young lady in one of the wheel chairs is paralyzed. An attendant wheels her to the end of the boarding ramp, and stop. The rest of the pre-boarders are lined up in the jet way behind her. Two airline employees lift her out of the wheel chair, and sit her on a little stool with wheels. (Apparently the wheel chair wouldn’t fit through the cabin door.) They wheel her in to the plane and lift her from the stool, and place her in a bulkhead-aisle seat, and strap her in. I couldn’t help but wonder what will happen if she has to use the rest room during our long flight to Chicago.
We push back from the gate at 1530. The plane is almost full - with many infants and small kids aboard. We taxi out to the runway and are number one for take-off. Away we go! Wheels up at 1537 - after a 30 second take-off run - about 30 minutes late. We’ve taken off to the North. The pilot makes a 90 degree turn to the right and starts his climb. We pass through the overcast quickly, as it is only about 2,000 feet thick. We level off and the pilot comes on the P.A. And said that we will be cruising at 39,000 feet. (With most of our bombing runs at 25,000 feet, this seems very high to me.) He says that we are 1460 miles from Chicago, and estimates our arrival at Midway at 4P.M. CDT. He also said that we are 40 minutes late but estimated an on-time arrival! There must be a good tail wind. Southwest estimates the flying time for the outbound leg - Oakland to Cleveland at 5 hours and 25 minutes. Yet, they estimate the time for our return flight at 7 hours! The difference in the two flight times is due to the Eastboud tail wind from the jet stream, which will be a headwind on the return trip. Another difference is the one stop outbound at Midway in Chicago is almost directly on course. Where the one stop on the return flight is in Phoenix, which is quite a way off from a direct flight from Cleveland to Oakland.
The sky is clear as we approach the desert. The flight attendants passed out little snack boxes, and our drink of choice. The Chip Ahoy cookies, dried fruit mix, peanuts, crackers and cheese spread hit the spot.
At 1710 PDT, the pilot said that we were 875 miles from Chicago, and we had made up half of the twenty minutes that we were late. Starting to get bumpy, so the seat-belt sign is back on.
At 1945CDT, we were 600 miles from Chicago, and still 25 minutes behind schedule. We are over NE Colorado and NW Nebraska.
At 2010 CDT, we have 360 miles to go to Chicago - about one hour. At 2130, we start our descent into Midway - 20 minutes away. It is interesting to see all the lights from the many cities in the Midwest, from above. As the lights of Chicago appear on the horizon, one doesn’t appreciate the large area of the city until you see it from the air. My Mother was born here, on September 6,1892. Her aunt Nellie (her Mother’s sister) lived in Chicago most of her life.
We are on our letdown, and the little kids are screaming bloody murder. Their ears plug up because of the small canals in their young ears. Unless you have flown with a cold and had your ears plug, you cant imagine the excruciating pain. It happened to me during the Korean war. I was flying a night mission out of Mather Field in Sacramento, and had a head cold. I was in such pain when I landed that they put me in the compression chamber. They reduced the pressure to that of 10,000 feet and slowly increased the pressure back to sea Mather’s ground elevation. My ears felt better, but even so, I still broke an ear drum.
We landed at 2100 CDT. We took off for Cleveland at 2155. We were supposed to be on the ground for only 40 minutes. We were almost full out of Chicago. The flight attendant said that our 737 held about 135 people. The pilot came on and said that the computer put us in Cleveland at 2342. It was a pretty moonlit night. We flew over the southern end of Lake Michigan and across Southern Michigan. I calculated that we were very near Hillsdale (where I was born) on our flight path. About 2330 EDT, I could see Toledo off to the left. The city has certainly grown since I was last there. We touched down at Cleveland at 2345 - 35 minutes late.
I had trouble contacting the Hampton Inn hotel in Middleburg Heights for a ride back to the hotel. I Didn’t get to bed until I:30 A.M. (10:30 Vallejo time.).