Hasta Luego, Madrid!

I have begun my long day getting home.
I always forget what a hassle getting through the process at the airport can be . I'm having a small problem with my Delta app, and it isn't showing me my ATL-BMI flight, but got checked in for that flight and had the boarding pass emailed to me instead.

I took the shuttle from my hotel (Hotel Nuevo Boston), and though I was let out at the Delta end of the terminal, I walked clear down to the other end and back before I found it. I had to go through security three times - once because I had my passport and phone/boarding pass in my hand (had to go back for a bin), then I had to go back again because my netbook was in my carryon bag instead of out (different airports, different rules).  Every time, because I beeped the machine, I had to be patted down.   You would think after the first (or even the second) time they would skip that, but no.

Then it was the immigration/passport line, and finally another passport/boarding pass check by Delta just before the gates.  All in all, it took just about an hour and a half.  I was glad I had taken the 8:00 shuttle for my 11:00 flight.

In Atlanta, after immigration (automated), picking up my checked bag, customs, and dropping my bag off again, we had to go through yet another security check.  Really?  We just got off of a secured plane.  What is the point of going through security again??  That one took nearly an hour - an hour!  A friend came to meet me at the airport (the Sky Club people strongly suggested that I not leave the airport because Friday traffic in Atlanta might make it difficult to get back on time).  It was great to see him, but it also meant going through security yet again to get back to the gates.

Now I am showered, diet Coked, and waiting for my last leg home.