Scooting West Africa: Getting There

The Pre-flight

Well, getting there is not starting off well. Like the painting above, Delta is an illusion for me. I had booked my tickets months ago when a good price popped up. Reservations were made through Delta Airlines. I am flying from Tampa to Atlanta to Paris to Dakar. The Paris to Dakar leg was on Air France, one of my least favorite airlines due to comfort and service, but it was the most expeditious route as Senegal is an ex-colony of France and there is still a lot of traffic between the countries. Tampa to Atlanta to Paris was on Delta. However, a few months ago there was a schedule change and I did not pay close enough attention. I did call Delta and rearrange the Tampa to Atlanta to a flight of my liking and not their choosing. But, what I failed to do was check the Atlanta to Paris flight.

A few days ago I looked at the details of my flight and discovered that that leg had been changed to Air France.

There has been a change affecting your trip. If you are not satisfied with this updated itinerary, you may be eligible to change your flight(s) at no extra cost. (Conditions Apply)

So, to say the least I was pissed. But, to late now "It is what it is". I would say I would just drink more but my last transatlantic flight on Air France there was almost NO service. Just for a test I hit the flight attendant call bell and waited two and half hours for someone to show up. So, I don't think I will be over drinking. Am also worried about my checked bag which I seldom do, but the second leg on Air France last time from Paris to Johannesburg, they left over 200 passengers bags in Paris, including ours.

So, here we go.

While killing time I went to the Air France website and was amazed that this is a long long long flight.

Total flight duration

342h50

Recently Frontier Airlines has started encourage to subsidize their executive bonus's by you tipping there fight attendants so they don't have to. I find that very interesting as right before getting on this flight I was watching The Petrified Forest, a movie made in 1936 with Betty Davis and Humprey Bogart. The movie takes place in a desert cafe. On the wall is a sign that says "tipping is un-American". My, how times have changed. Every business lets the employees but out "begging cups" to subsidize their salaries so the owners can put more in their pockets. In 1936, despite there being a depression, people were proud and only took handouts when they were really down and out.

Monday Feb 21
Tampa to Atlanta to Paris to Dakar

Today started with Wendy showing up at 9 to give me my yoga lesson. Nothing better than bending and stretching before a 24-hour plane ride.

First flight was at 4:50 from Tampa to Atlanta on Delta. Vicki dropped me at the curb at 3 and I was quickly checked and through TSA and at the gate at 3:35. Delta’s reservation system wanted to see my credit card, but even with assistance for a friendly agent, we could not do it with the kiosk so she moved to the front of a priority line. That agent at the computer quickly made the computer happy and off I went.

I had purposefully scheduled a two-hour layover in Atlanta. I have never enjoyed rushing from gate to gate for delays for some reason or other. Good thing, as I came in on one end of the airport and left from the opposite end. The two hours gave me time to grab a bite to eat. I had planned on a salad but once I saw the world famous The Varsity hotdog vendor, I had to have two chilly dogs. The Varsity is an Atlanta institution located next to Georgia Tech and has been selling hotdogs I think from the Civil War times.

A new first for boarding the Air France flight to Paris. No id was required, as they used facial recognition software. I have no idea if I could have refused that request as I have given up any idea of privacy in todays electronic world. Walt, took a later flight from Tampa and came running in at the last minute. The plane was about half full, so I got a window seat on an empty row. The service was minimal as expected and they had added some more padding to the seat since the last flight. So, all and all it was an acceptable flight, but Air France does not make it back on the fly list. Only if required.

Descending into Paris the Captain announced that it was overcast and 32 degrees. We broke out of the clouds about 200 feet and it was SNOWING. Paris is beautiful in the snow, but it does not snow there often and I knew, despite the beauty of the snow, this meant there would be delays. The first one began with getting to the gate, but with a five hour layover, that did not bother me.

Our plan was to meet Scott at the Air France lounge on our concourse, but I got a text saying because of the snow they would not let him buy his way in. They were expecting delays and therefore the regular customers would be filling up the lounge. We met him at gate K37 and Walt said he could get us in. How is that, I asked. Air France had sent him email saying he could upgrade to first class on the Paris to Dakar leg for just over $300. He had announced this at our Bon Vouge party and said he was not going to do it. We all told him to jump on it and he left still saying no, but I guess when he got home Hellen changed his mind. Anyway, that got us in the lounge with none first class people paying 50 euro. Considering what we were getting for that, booze, wine, food, shower, etc. it seemed like a good deal. Penni, one of the other riders from California, came down to visit us but they would not let her in using the crowd line again. However, I decided to save money buy getting upgraded to first class too. However, mine was 300 euros not dollars, and after the ride in first class, it was not a great investment. Food was better, the rolls with dinner were hot, not frozen like the ones behind the curtain and there was more room, but not enough for the money.

We enjoyed our lounge visit and then headed to the gate. This I knew is where the delay would begin. We started by boarding late, then we sat at the gate and then we headed to the deice line and finally to the runway. All and all not a bad delay. Nice easy five our flight to Dakar and we landed maybe and hour or so late. Custom and immigration went quickly, though they were unable to capture my finger prints. More of that loss of personal security. My bag had a priority handling tag so it was off the plane just about last. We had arranged a van to pick the four of us up and he was standing there proudly when we came out in to a very crowded arrivals hall. The airport is a long way out from downtown, so by the time we arrived at the hotel it was almost mid-night. The ride was dark so we did not really get to see much of the town, but there was glimpse of the modern, a shining Radisson hotel in the middle of nowhere, and the poor, small squatter kitchens and vendors on the side of the road.

A prompt check in, a decompression beer, and we where done.