We went into the ticket office and bought a ticket for the bus to the Charles De Gaulle Airport (only 1.90 Euros).
We thought this would be so much easier than having someone drive us to the airport. Sarah and I would have gladly taken an Uber but R and Admirát really wanted to accompany us to the airport even though it was very early and they hadn't had much sleep since we've been here either!
So Admirát and Sarah took the train from their hotel in Val d'Europe and met us at the bus stop, which was right outside the train station. The #19. Maybe this is in the U.S. now too but they have digital signage telling you exactly what time the bus is going to arrive, which is very nice. This bus would get us to the airport by 7 a.m. which was 3 hours early for our flight. But since the international flights seem to board almost an hour early and the airport is huge, we felt most comfortable with getting there early.
Admirát also brought me a gift, bath and shower gel. Everyone is so kind!
The bus let us off at Terminal 3 and we had to get to Terminal 2, which was a ways away. You get on a shuttle train that takes you from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. Then there was still quite a walk to the American Airlines ticket counter where we would check our luggage. At American Airlines Sarah and I were each questioned by some sort of security person who worked for the airlines. She wanted to know what I would do when I arrived in the U.S.A. and I told her I would go to work so then she wanted to know what I did. I told her Bible research and she asked how do you do that? So I tried to give simple answers because I didn't know where this was all going. The other agent asked Sarah about her time in Paris. Eventually they judged us worthy of proceeding to check our bags and put a sticker on the back of our passports.
I found this on the Flyer Talk Web site: "Security procedures for those departing internationally to the USA, particularly since 11 Sep 2001, have been more extensive. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security requires ALL airlines perform more extensive passenger screening of USA-bound passengers. In Europe, when you have been cleared (at or near the gate generally) they will affix a sticker (base and letter colors may vary by day, etc.) marked "ICTS" to your passport cover.)
Passenger questioning generally includes a first layer of questions, usually asked by check-in staff, that include such items as "Who packed your baggage?", "Has your baggage been in your possession since it was packed?", "What electronic devices do you have?", "Have you had any repaired while on your trip?"
A second layer of questions may include requests for more detailed information about you and your travels, such as "What do you do for a living?", "What company do you work for?", "What's the name of your CEO?", "How many times a year do you travel through XYZ?", "Where did you stay?", "What's your favorite restaurant in ....?", "Tell me about your best ever holiday?", "describe your neighborhood" and include questions about your home address, neighborhood, children, etc. To some people these questions might appear intrusive; others may feel the body language, tone and language used are inappropriate in some way.
These second layer questions were previously asked by contract security personnel, but now might be asked by airline check-in staff as well. Note the behavior of the passenger is observed and may be emphasized over answer content. Failure to reply with requested information or refusal may result in more extensive procedures.
Be aware: it has been verified the agents have the ability to issue your boarding pass with "SSSS", meaning you will get "heavy" screening. Several people have described "giving lip" or declining to answer agent second layer questions for various reasons and getting SSSS.
Though USA-bound passengers are generally screened at or prior to entering the gate area for departure, additional screening may include more extensive questioning by AA or contracted security personnel and / or more screening of possessions. This may be entering or at the gate area, or even at temporary stations set up at the gate or on the boarding bridge; passengers may be selected randomly, or from lists that may include other countries one has visited.
Other procedures may be used at other airports for departing passengers boarding to the USA. Procedures may intensify or lessen as influenced by current security status or information in possession of local, airport, airline or other security and intelligence entities.
More extensive security suggest giving yourself more time to process these enhanced procedures."
After checking our bags, we went to say goodbye to our hosts
We gave them many hugs and kisses and thank yous and merci's and au revoir's. Such wonderful people!
Next we went through security, which was really very easy and then we found our gate and went to eat breakfast because we were "starving" and in need of coffee. We at a nice restaurant in the airport called Fauchon, our last Paris meal. Sarah was so happy because she got macaroons which she fell in love with at Versailles (I think that's where she had them first).
Our plane boarded on time and with ease. While flying home, I think I watched three movies. The airline staff fed us every couple hours and I was tired enough that I managed to sleep a bit too. It was 8 hours going back as opposed to the 6 hours coming, but since we had paid extra for those seats with extra legroom we were fairly comfortable, not first-class comfortable, but not bad!
I didn't take any photos on the plane coming home. It looked the same as going over.😉
We landed in Philadelphia about 1:30 p.m. Both Sarah and I have Global Access so we just went to a Global Access kiosk, inserted our passports, answered a couple questions on the screen, and were on our way! We didn't even have to fill out that form on the plane. The receipt from Global Access got us through passport control, then we went and picked up our luggage. That was a little clunky since the luggage took over an hour to come off the plane. (You have to pick up your luggage and take it with you through customs.) The airline announced that some freight had to be unloaded before they could unload our bags. They were very apologetic. Our plane was not leaving for about 4 more hours so we weren't nervous about the time. When the luggage came out, we picked it up and went through customs, but again we went right to the head of the line and didn't get asked any questions. After that, we dropped our luggage off again to be transported to Dayton. Then we went through U.S.A. TSA security to enter the Philadelphia airport. Because of our Global Access, we had TSA pre-check and that was very simple too.
By now we were hungry. So after we took the shuttle from Terminal A (where we landed) to Terminal F (where we would fly out of), we headed for the Food Court.
It was there that I realized I didn't have my cell phone. I had held onto it the whole trip, and when I realized I didn't have it, this was the first time I felt kind of nervous. So I just asked Sarah to call my phone from her phone. When she did, a man answered. It turned out it was a TSA agent at the security checkpoint. The phone must have fallen out of my bag when it went through the conveyor or I just didn't look well enough in the bin. But anyway, thank God (and I do thank God), the agent answered. I don't even think I had the volume up on the ringer. But he answered and told us to just come back to the check point. So we rode the shuttle bus back to Terminal A, picked it up, got back on the bus to Terminal F and finally ate our meal. I picked Chinese, which was delicious and Sarah had Chiplote.
After a leisurely meal, we walked to our gate. My Fitbit, which I wear for a watch, still said Paris time and I couldn't get it to sync (but when I got home with my regular WiFi, I reinstalled the app, and all was well.) But it is a consideration to bring a normal old-fashioned watch along that's not dependent on a cell phone app or the satellites in the sky or anything!
Our flight left Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m. and we were in Dayton by about 8. The luggage came promptly and our bags were the first ones off the conveyor belt. Yeah! We called the Park N Go and the van was already outside. It was snowing a big and pretty cold but we were home!
We got to Park N Go, Sarah's car was running and heated up, and Sarah drove us back to HQ. I think I was asleep within about 10 minutes of arriving home.
It was a wonderful trip, full of new adventures, and I even think I picked up a few French words. Thank you to Sarah for being willing to travel with me! And thanks to R who considers this 68-year-old woman her friend. (Her younger brother did say he was kind of surprised when he met R's friend (me). 😊)
Merci to all who prayed for us and believed with us and helped us prepare to go. Much love. Until the next time.
Next we went through security, which was really very easy and then we found our gate and went to eat breakfast because we were "starving" and in need of coffee. We at a nice restaurant in the airport called Fauchon, our last Paris meal. Sarah was so happy because she got macaroons which she fell in love with at Versailles (I think that's where she had them first).
Our plane boarded on time and with ease. While flying home, I think I watched three movies. The airline staff fed us every couple hours and I was tired enough that I managed to sleep a bit too. It was 8 hours going back as opposed to the 6 hours coming, but since we had paid extra for those seats with extra legroom we were fairly comfortable, not first-class comfortable, but not bad!
I didn't take any photos on the plane coming home. It looked the same as going over.😉
We landed in Philadelphia about 1:30 p.m. Both Sarah and I have Global Access so we just went to a Global Access kiosk, inserted our passports, answered a couple questions on the screen, and were on our way! We didn't even have to fill out that form on the plane. The receipt from Global Access got us through passport control, then we went and picked up our luggage. That was a little clunky since the luggage took over an hour to come off the plane. (You have to pick up your luggage and take it with you through customs.) The airline announced that some freight had to be unloaded before they could unload our bags. They were very apologetic. Our plane was not leaving for about 4 more hours so we weren't nervous about the time. When the luggage came out, we picked it up and went through customs, but again we went right to the head of the line and didn't get asked any questions. After that, we dropped our luggage off again to be transported to Dayton. Then we went through U.S.A. TSA security to enter the Philadelphia airport. Because of our Global Access, we had TSA pre-check and that was very simple too.
By now we were hungry. So after we took the shuttle from Terminal A (where we landed) to Terminal F (where we would fly out of), we headed for the Food Court.
It was there that I realized I didn't have my cell phone. I had held onto it the whole trip, and when I realized I didn't have it, this was the first time I felt kind of nervous. So I just asked Sarah to call my phone from her phone. When she did, a man answered. It turned out it was a TSA agent at the security checkpoint. The phone must have fallen out of my bag when it went through the conveyor or I just didn't look well enough in the bin. But anyway, thank God (and I do thank God), the agent answered. I don't even think I had the volume up on the ringer. But he answered and told us to just come back to the check point. So we rode the shuttle bus back to Terminal A, picked it up, got back on the bus to Terminal F and finally ate our meal. I picked Chinese, which was delicious and Sarah had Chiplote.
After a leisurely meal, we walked to our gate. My Fitbit, which I wear for a watch, still said Paris time and I couldn't get it to sync (but when I got home with my regular WiFi, I reinstalled the app, and all was well.) But it is a consideration to bring a normal old-fashioned watch along that's not dependent on a cell phone app or the satellites in the sky or anything!
Our flight left Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m. and we were in Dayton by about 8. The luggage came promptly and our bags were the first ones off the conveyor belt. Yeah! We called the Park N Go and the van was already outside. It was snowing a big and pretty cold but we were home!
We got to Park N Go, Sarah's car was running and heated up, and Sarah drove us back to HQ. I think I was asleep within about 10 minutes of arriving home.
It was a wonderful trip, full of new adventures, and I even think I picked up a few French words. Thank you to Sarah for being willing to travel with me! And thanks to R who considers this 68-year-old woman her friend. (Her younger brother did say he was kind of surprised when he met R's friend (me). 😊)
Merci to all who prayed for us and believed with us and helped us prepare to go. Much love. Until the next time.
