I really wasn’t expecting things to be so difficult today .. but it was worse than I imagined. A simple trip to pick up my mother at the airport turned out to be a nightmare. Of course things aren’t simple .. theres a catch, mother has a health condition that requires her to carry an oxygen tank. The plan was simple enough and I would meet her at the gate … but today it was near impossible. I left almost two hours ahead of time to get through traffic and find a place to park. When I arrived at Ohare with plenty of time to spare .. I found that all of the parking lots had been closed .. really ALL the lots! I tried to explain the situation .. that mother was handicapped and required her oxygen tank to leave the plane. She had taken her handicap placard with to use in Florida .. leaving me with nothing but the tank to show as proof. Of course that wasn’t good enough and I was told to park miles away in a remote lot. From there I would have to walk to the bus stop, wait in line .. then board a bus to the airport. There is no way that situation would work .. she would never make it that far.
Just when I thought all hope was lost .. the lower lot opened up and I zipped in a found a space. From there it would take another 30-40 minutes for me to get through security and then on to the gate. It was a bit stressful .. they had to hold the plane for a bit until they could get her and the tank she used off the plane. Thanks to our buddies in the Middle East .. you are no longer allowed to carry your own personal O2 tank on board. Mom is home safe and sound .. looks like the terrorists have won again.
Steve
