Flying to Denver: another chance for the airlines and TSA to make a good impression. And TSA delivered. I only had to tell one person that I had a medical device on me, and they knew exactly what needed to be done.

My buddies from AA (that’s American Airlines, not Alcoholics Anonymous) got everything right in the end, though their communication skills could use some work. When I got my boarding pass, it said I was in group 9. I tried to explain to at least three separate AA employees that I can’t be separated from that carry-on bag, and that I was quite concerned about the overhead bins becoming full before I got to board. Each of these people said basically, “Awwwwww, there, there, shut up, boy! Nobody’s going to take your widdo bag from you.” They were right. As I stepped into the plane, I immediately learned that AA had upgraded their overhead bins, doubling the overhead storage capacity. I had no problem finding space for my carry-on bag!

Other than being on an escalator when it lost power, witnessing a luggage jam that had to be manually cleared, and then not recognizing my own luggage, it was a smooth trip.