Travel Tuesday - Report from the Trenches

Shortly After Departing BWI
Somewhere over Virginia
April 7, 2026

 Travel Tuesday was, by all accounts, relatively smooth with only a few bumps. We arrived at BWI about 10:10 AM for our expected 11:55 Southwest flight to find it had been delayed until 1:10 PM. I actually knew this before we departed for the airport, but I also know that Southwest does not honor delayed times and so we headed to the airport as if the flight were on schedule. 

In the end our flight departed only 25 minutes late. If we had delayed arriving at the airport, we would have felt rushed.

There were no lines and no waiting either to check bags with Southwest or to clear security. It was a very pleasant experience and is part of the reason I am choosing to fly in the middle of the day (which is a bit more expensive). 

Beginning Descent into PBI
Atlantic Ocean Near Ormond Beach, FL
April 7, 2026

Southwest's new boarding process is a slower, I think, than the previous because people have to find their assigned seat rather than take the next open seat. I used free upgrades to secure extra legroom seating. I suppose it's nice, but not worth the money. I don't envision myself paying the extra for the seat, but it was nice to get Boarding Group 2 and Row 5.

The weather on departure was light overcast with some wind. It was a bit bumpy, but nothing too concerning. The flight was nice and the Captain was good about turning the seatbelt sign off, and on, and off, and on as the weather along the route varied. 

Descent and arrival into PBI was overcast with storms. We were seat-belted a bit longer than normal for the turbulence which turned the rush to the restrooms upon landing like a foot race. 

Unlike BWI, PBI's baggage handling was efficient and our bags were on the conveyor as we walked up. Additionally, our ride home, provided by friends, was also almost instantly available and we were on our way within about 25 minutes of landing!

It is good to be home! But we miss our friends and family in Maryland. Thanks to all of you for your continuing support of our comings and goings. I want to especially recognize and thank Nicole and Mike for lodging, Jeremy and Julie for transportation, and Patrick and Jen also George and Sue for their incredible hospitality! And of course Fran and Mary for retrieving us from PBI.

I thank God that the Iranian/Persian civilization was not destroyed overnight. But that is a story for another day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL