My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Monday, July 4, 2011

Adventures of Flight 55 & 56.

We spent the weekend with this birthday girl in San Diego.  Love her!  
Travelling is an adventure! This was Flight #55 and 56 for our frequent flier Cricket. 
After training at GDB and also doing it so frequently, we understand the routine fairly well.  Security: I walk through first, then Cricket, she beeps and then they do a quick check of her, generally patting around her harness.   Walking through on our flight to San Diego, the security man was convinced that although I did not set it off, I needed to be checked and said he would take my dog.  Nope.  I assertively explained that I was good - dog beeped - simply check the dog.    After a couple times of my explaining this, his manager came over and verified that what I said was true :).   It really often can go quite smooth.  Assertiveness Practiced.

Returning home, Flight 56 we walked through no problem, although the security lady was a little nervous about checking her harness and asked if Cricket would be upset.  No, she will just think she is getting some attention and wag her tail, which she did.  My carryon, on the other hand, did give us some problems!  My container of mud.  When Natalie and I get together we often do our little mudmask routine.  We bought the mud in Hawaii a couple years ago.  It was over three ounces.  Sadly, it had to say goodbye.  No more mud masks.  Hmmm, maybe we will need to go to Kona and get some more? 

Oh one more airplane story!  Flight 56 the man behind us was asking some pretty interesting questions to all around so I was not alone on this one.  He leaned over and asked me if my dog exceeded the size limit to be on the plane.  I said she was a guide dog so could ride by my feet.  He then said, Good for you! And then a minute later leaned up to clarify that he didn't mean good for me in that I was blind!  Sense of Humor Practiced.

Cricket is such an easy traveller.  Gratitude for her over and over.

   One last Happy Birthday, Natalie, before the day is over.  Love, Mom.    

4 comments:

DCHY said...

I enjoyed your flight story. :)

Grandma & Grandpa said...

Sounds like you had a great time together! Interesting to hear Cricket's reception at security and on the plane! Quite an adventure.

Jen said...

Waw, Cricket, that's a lot of flying!!
I mentioned this in a recent blog post, how airports can often be very inconsistent when I fly with OJ. Sometimes everything will be perfect, then other times they insist on doing something awkward. I wish I was as assertive as you.

3 labs 4 me said...

You go girlfriend. Glad you were able to stick up for yourself.