Westport, Connecticut Moves

Part II - Taking Off Is Hard To Do

Part I, of this saga, ended as I arrived at Terminal 8, with 48 minutes to check my luggage, clear security and make it to the gate.  Checking my bag and clearing security went smoothly.  My flight was on time, leaving from Gate 46. 

Terminal 8 is designed with gates along two parallel legs.  In keeping with how the day was going, Gate 46 was at the end of the far leg.  Okay, I still had time.  All I had to do was cross the first building, escalator down, cross another expanse, escalator up and find Gate 46.  I arrived as the first passengers were boarding.

Look on the bright side.  Being early, may be prudent and my first choice, but sitting at the gate, waiting to board, is boring.  Circumstances had eliminated that "in limbo" state.  Timing was perfect.  Let's get on the plane and Go!

This was a full flight and it was taking a lot of time to get everyone aboard.  Just when it looked like we were ready to leave, a commotion broke out, in the back of the plane.  The flight attendants and a few passengers were scurrying up and down the aisle.  Voices got louder and a group of guys were asked to step out to the boarding ramp, where one of the attendants and the Captain could speak with them.  The decibel level increased and it was soon obvious that they were being thrown off the flight.

They were gone, yet we still didn't takeoff.  The attendants were now checking the overhead compartments, to retrieve their luggage. Finally, doors closed and we began to taxi away from the gate.  As our flight left the ground, I looked at my watch - 33 minutes behind schedule.

During the flight, the attendant filled me in on what had transpired.  Four friends were flying to Las Vegas to surprise a friend, on his birthday.  They were among the last passengers to board and each had carry-on luggage.  At this point, the overhead bins were pretty full and they were asked to check their bags.  They refused, rather adamantly.  Trying to diffuse a potential problem, the flight attendants said if they could find room for their bags, they could keep them aboard.  A couple of bags were placed in the first class cabin, although they were told the bags needed to be in the cabin where they were seated.

Then they started moving luggage around the bins, trying to make room for their own.  At least one passenger told them to leave his luggage alone and an argument ensued. The attendant tried to intervene but the argument escalated and the language became abusive.  At this point, the attendant and Captain tried to speak to them.  After more arguing, they were told to leave the plane.  Airport security was called and they were arrested as they disembarked. 

The rest of the flight was uneventful. 
Truth be told, I had had enough excitement. After the events of the day, realizing that I had forgotten to take the charger for my blackberry, seemed anti-climatic.  I was just glad to land and check into the hotel.  Hopefully, the Convention will be exciting, but less dramatic. 

BTW, the hotel supplied me with a spare charger.  Seems not only do a lot of guests forget to bring their chargers, another group forgets to take them home.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties.com, All Rights Reserved, Travails of Travel - Part II

Part I - Troubled Waters Over A Bridge 

I hate being late.  Scenes of rushing across an airline terminal, with just enough time to make my flight, are not my idea of fun.  So, when I arranged for a limo to take me to the airport, for my trip to the Prudential National Sales Convention, in Las Vegas, I left plenty of time.  The limo company suggested a 2 o'clock pickup should easily get me to the airport, an hour before my flight.  I opted for 1:30, knowing that the driver would likely show up 15 minutes early.  That gave my 2 hours and 15 minutes for a trip that typically takes less than an hour and a half.  It should have been more than enough cushion...or not.

The ride started out uneventful.  My driver, Barry, opted for the Merritt, saying that early afternoon, southbound, it was usually a better choice than I95.  Not a bad decision, as we moved along at a fairly good clip.  We were still making good time as we left CT and entered Westchester County.  Since we were ahead of schedule, there was not much concern when traffic began backing up, as we approached the Whitestone Bridge.  "They're probably working on the bridge and maybe have a lane closed", Barry assured me. 

We were now moving at a crawl and things started looking more ominous. We could see the bridge and a few cars moving northbound but there didn't appear to be any traffic heading towards Queens.  "This makes no sense", Barry observed. "Cars are moving forward but they're not crossing the bridge.  It's just like the Twilight zone.  Cars are simply disappearing."  

As we neared the toll plaza, the reason became apparent.  The bridge was closed and traffic was being diverted into the northbound lane.  We'd have to try to make it across the Throgs Neck Bridge.  My cushion was starting to deflate!!  Needless to say, with two bridge loads of cars, trying to go across one bridge, movement towards the Throgs Neck wasn't progressing much better.

Even less encouraging was Barry's suggestion that I start to check on alternate flights.  Every few minutes, I glanced at my watch and recalculated time and distance to the airport.  It wasn't looking hopeful. Eventually, we crossed over, into Queens, turned off, onto the Cross Island Expressway and traffic started to flow.  "We're looking good, now", Barry cheered.  "Let's not jinx it.  We still have a ways to the airport", I countered.

As we approached Terminal 8, Barry offered, "I think it's safe to say, we're looking good, now."  We had made it to the airport, with 48 minutes to check my luggage, clear security and make it to the gate. 

Remember that image of rushing through the terminal with just enough time to make my flight.  Piece of cake!! 

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties.com, All Rights Reserved, Travails of Travel - Part I

Westport Goes Green.  Plastic Bags Banned from Most Retail Use.

On September 2, 2008, The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) passed an ordinance to ban the use of plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods.  Yesterday, that ordinance went into effect, making Westport the first town in Connecticut to institute a plastic bag ban. 

The ordinance passed by a vote of 26 to 5, with one abstention.  The six month delay in implementing the ban was put in place in order to allow time for establishments to use up their supplies of plastic bags and to prepare and educate Westport residents to the change.

The RTM is Westport's legislative body.  Their stated purpose for the Retail Checkout Bags Ordinance is to encourage the use of reusable checkout bags.  The new ruling applies to all retail establishments and restaurants.  The ban does not apply to sales by residents, at their homes, such as tag sales or to sales by non-profit organizations.  Arguably, the largest and most immediate effect of the ban is being felt at supermarkets. 

There are some exclusions to the ban.  Still allowed are the thin, plastic produce bags used to carry meats and produce to the checkout counter.  Also, exempt are plastic bags with more than one opening, such as those used by the cleaners and plastic bags measuring 28" by 36", or larger.

Although "going green" and protecting the environment are currently popular issues, not everyone is quick to jump aboard the plastic bag ban.  A plastic bag ordinance was proposed in the Connecticut State Legislature, but it never gained traction. A similar proposal, made to the city council in New Haven, CT, was rejected. 

Some argue that while having consumers use recylable bags is a positive goal, the more likely result of the ban will just be the increased use of paper bags, which carries its own negative environmental issues.

Two years ago, San Francisco was the first United States city to ban the use of plastic bags.  Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach, California have also passed plastic bag legislation.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties.com, All Rights Reserved, Westport, CT - Plastic Bag Ban Now in Effect