[DeanFL]

Hi All.
Just back from a 2 week jaunt to see 2 of my 'kids' and 4 of my grandsons. Redonodo Beach CA, just south of L.A. And then Ladue MO, west of St Louis.

June 3rd. Decided to go with VILLAGES VAN. He came at 5:30AM and I was the 4th person on the 10-person van. Took an hour to pick up others (5 stops) on the way south to Orlando airport. The driver was great, and we had a trivia-thing during the hour drive to MCO. Southwest was first stop. Got there 2 hours before takeoff. Airport was crowded but moved very quick - about 20 minutes and got to the gate an hour before loading.

Southwest - to Phoenix, then LAX. Flights were fine, and they enforced the mask rule. Must keep on mouth & nose thruout flight. The napkins said "Drink down Mask Up". They offered a modified beverage service. 4 drinks = Coke, Diet Coke , 7 Up, water. 1 thru 4. And the attendants came with a placard showing these with the numbers - asked to order by holding up fingers, so mask stays on. Small bag of snacks and the drink, my mask down during - and actually no pressure by the crew. But they did remind passengers midway thru flight to mask up. NO 'incidents' on any of the 5 flight legs - all passengers were...normal.

June 10th. LAX to Salt Lake City then St Louis. Airports crazy busy. All flights on time. A great week in St Louis.

June 17th. StL to Orlando, direct. SWA flight right on time, no issues at all.
Did carry-on bag to avoid the typical looong MCO bag wait. Walked right to A45 Villages Van slot. Van came after 15 minutes, empty - and 2 other people came onto the van. The driver was totally different from outgoing drive - this guy said nothing but stood by the airport doors fiddling with his laptop, no doubt waiting for others. This went on for 20 minutes - no one came. He came to the van and took off, saying nothing. During the entire (fast) drive on Turnpike, no seatbelt for him... I thought...what if... but after an hour drive I was the first dropoff. safe and sound.

So, bottom line the entire travel experience was close to perfect - Villages Van service to/from, the airports and security, and Southwest airlines.
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[RedChariot]

I don't think I want to play trivia at 5:30 am. I will continue to take a private car.

[OCsun]

Thanks for the travel report. It’s good to know Southwest is trying to get back to their normal routine while keeping their fun sense of humor.

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by OCsun

Thanks for the travel report. It’s good to know Southwest is trying to get back to their normal routine while keeping their fun sense of humor.

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yep, I did have trepidation re so much air travel etc. With the "news" of air issues, delays, mask use et al.

Bottom line - was not bad at all. And every traveler I encountered along the way was 'normal'.

Also, one SWA leg was on the new Boeing Max8. Was very nice, and the engines were so quiet. And FYI, each time going thru Security screening they said if you're over 75 no need to remove shoes. I fibbed in St Louis...
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[TNGary]

Thanks for the review!

[DeanFL]

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BTW, forgot to mention. So many times when looking up in the sky, it's easy to see that TV is on the approach flight path to MCO Orlando airport. Before Covid, and now after, seems every 90 seconds or so, planes at about 15K feet flying south, then turn southeast.

Every time I fly home I try to get a window seat on the right side, as I did flying home this time. And again, a perfect view of The Villages down below. So easy to see Lake Sumter et al. A lovely view of the expanse of homes, buildings, green space, and golf courses. I was waiting to see the "new" areas south, but cloud cover south of around 44.

At times I think about parachuting right down to save the hour drive back home. But the luggage-thing...
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