Day 1 - Travel Day

 Day 1 – Sun, March 22 – Travel Day

I arrived at the Indy airport 2+ hours ahead of schedule with the uncertainty of TSA service (the country is in the midst of a Congressional spitting contest over funding of the Department of Homeland Security due to immigration enforcement matters). There were no issues with long lines, but I did get to the check-in counter, turned over my passport, and the airline agent calmly states, “There is no valid ticket in the system.” What!!! “Do I need to get out my documentation?” He says, “No. I’ll figure this out. I see the reservation, but there is no ticket issued.” OK. Remain calm and let him carry-on. After 15 minutes that included three phone calls and a discussion with his manager, I got my boarding passes. The rest of the trip – to Chicago, then Frankfurt, then Basel – went well all the way to my hotel – The Steinenschanze City and Charming Garden Hotel.

Mark, Carol, Don and Beanie got to the Cincinnati airport early do to their driver’s (Jason) nap schedule for children. There were no issues with their arrival in Zurich. Mark and Carol took off for Germany and their adventure there. Don and Beanie went to there hotel in Zurich.

Meanwhile, Kurt and Mary From Kansas City on their way to Salzburg via flights to Munich. There were flight changes on their end, but that seems de rigueur these days.

Of particular note, no one had any issues with security or long waits due to TSA.


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