An eventful trip yet safe arrival in Germany

Bethany and I left Cincinnati (thanks for the ride to Cinncy, Jordan) on Jan 8^th arriving in Frankfurt on the morning of the 9^th. Bethany has come to Germany for a semester of student teaching at a DoD school in Baumholder, Germany (for a link to her blog see “European Bloodstream” on my blog list). I came to spend some time with my sister Nicki’s family (while Brian is in Gaum) and see what there is to see in Germany.

The trip was not the smoothest I have ever taken. It began smoothly. Abby, our 6 pound spoiled poodle, survived the car ride to Cinncy in her carrier very nicely and we began boarding right on time. Bethany and I were given roomy seats next to each other in the center of business class where we looked forward to enjoying all the amenities life has to offer (Bring me the head of a boar!”) and a completely reclining seat on a 10 hour flight that was completely full. We made ourselves comfortable and settled in for the flight.

Shortly after we pulled away from the gate and began taxiing, the plane turned around and began heading back to the gate. We were informed over the PA that they were just made aware that a passenger who didn’t make the flight had luggage that did. According to the powers-that-be (don’t remember if that is FAA or Homeland Security but…) that is an absolute no-no and we were heading to the gate to remove the offending luggage. Or, at least we thought. After sitting at the gate for several minutes, I noticed a man was escorted off the plane carrying one of those metal briefcases that make you wonder what on earth could he be carrying that warrants that kind of protection. Shortly after that, another man was escorted on. Knowing the non-rev system as I do, I suddenly felt very sorry for the metal briefcase carrying guy (more than likely a buddy pass passenger) who thought he was home free but was asked to de-plane to make room for the tardy yet revenue-paying passenger.

We pulled away from the gate a second time, taxied out to the runway and began acceleration toward take-off. Just as I was relaxing, looking forward to that feeling you get just after take-off that resembles the drift into a deep and restful sleep, the pilot suddenly slammed on the brakes. The plane quickly swung into the next intersection leaving the runway, taxied briefly, and came to a stop. Everyone on the plane got very quiet. Bethany and I looked at each other with questioning looks and waited for the PA explanation of what just happened. Evidently, a light having to do with the brake system came on and it was not safe to take off without checking it out. After several minutes, we were informed that it was necessary to return to the gate AGAIN to have the brake system checked out. So we did. By this time passengers were getting a bit antsy and a little nervous. An old man (about 80 and apparently a bit senile) walked up from coach and was heading toward the cockpit. A flight attendant stopped him but he insisted he needed to talk to the pilot. For those of you who knew him, I could s-o-o-o see Grandpa Friedley doing something like that, very well meaning, but insistent he had vital wisdom for the pilot that only he could convey. The flight attendant stopped him close to where I was sitting so I could hear him trying to convince her that for the good of the passengers he needed to tell the pilot that it just wasn't safe for us to take that plane. After some convincing on her part that the pilots would take care of it in the safest possible way, she kindly ushered him back to his seat. Well, after some time we were again cleared for take off. I guess the third time is the charm. We finally took off and the flight was uneventful except for Abby.

She was good until dinner was served. The smell of food was too tempting and she was able to wiggle out of the carrier. Bethany and I were half reclining and calmly enjoying the fruits of a business class dinner when Bethany spotted Abby sticking partway out of her carrier that was at our feet. She had freed herself to her middle and was beginning to scale Bethany's legs. I swung my food tray out of the way and was able to get her back in her carrier before anyone really noticed except the lady across the isle from me who wasn't concerned. We were able to finish dinner without any more appearances from Abby, but I was afraid that when I tried to sleep Abby would escape unnoticed and cause untold problems. So Bethany and I began "Operation Covert Canine." When the lights were lowered for the night, I quietly took Abby out of the carrier and stuffed her under my blanket. It took a bit to convince her that she had to stay under the blanket but she finally settled down and we slept with her on my lap. When we began our final approach and everyone was stirring to re-stow their carry-ons and such, I slipped her back into the carrier and no one was the wiser. Thank goodness she is black and easily disappeared in the shadows of those big fluffy blankets in business class.

And so it was that we arrived safely in Frankfurt, albeit almost two hours late. We both look forward to a good and productive time in Germany.