Tag: Fort Lauderdale

Traveling Days

We take Groome Transportation to the airport for our flights. We fly Delta.

February – The trip to the airport had me biting my nails. We had to make two extra pick-up stops before we could get to the airport. It was pouring rain and foggy. The traffic was backed up for miles. We were 30 minutes later than predicted to get to the airport. Luckily, this trip was before all the TSA government shutdown, so we made it through security and were at our gate in plenty of time to board but not to get any lunch prior to boarding.

The flight was uneventful. We did have to wait quite a while before our luggage came off the Fort Lauderdale airport carousel. Then the Uber area was under construction, so we struggled to push/pull our luggage through and around the mess to the correct meeting point. The humidity was stifling and we were dressed too warmly for Florida.

We were very tired and hungry by the time we checked-in at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport – South & Cruise Port. We used Door Dash to order from Fire House Subs. We didn’t even bother taking them to our room. We ate them right in the small breakfast dining room off the lobby. We practically inhaled them.

However, as we were finished and heading for the elevators, we heard someone say “hey, you guys got old!” We turned around and it was our Canadian friends whom we had met on our 2025 Hawaiian trip and knew would be on this cruise.

There are so many hotels in and around Fort Lauderdale. What were the odds that we would both choose the same hotel much less meet outside the elevators. They had arrived the day before and were just returning from dinner at a local restaurant. It was great to see them but we didn’t linger. Time to tag the luggage with cruise tags, watch some TV, and go lights out.

April – As the government shutdown loomed over our heads, I was worried about the wait times for this trip. However, the TSA agents started getting paid again days before our flight, so I didn’t add any extra time for travel. Our day was sunny, no extra pick-ups, traffic flowed smoothy and we arrived early at the airport. Only glitch was that I got chosen at the CLEAR line for a random ID check, so I had to dig around for my driver’s license and show it to the TSA agent. We were still early enough at the gate that we were able to get some lunch prior to boarding. Yay!

The flight was on-time and uneventful. There was still a wait at the Fort Lauderdale airport carousel for the luggage to get off-loaded, but the construction was finished so we could push/pull our luggage to the Uber meeting point much easier. We were better prepared, clothing-wise, for the humidity.

We stayed at the Hyatt Place Cruise Port & Convention Center. We participated in their Happy Hour and then ordered Fire House Subs using Door Dash again. This time we didn’t act like starving hyenas but instead took them up to our room to eat them like normal human beings. We finished the evening as always, tagging bags, watching TV, and going to bed early.

I like staying at Hyatt properties when I can. I usually check all of them in the Fort Lauderdale area and go with the cheapest one.

I forgot to mention Pumpkin. Both trips, when he heard the suitcases rolling, he went under the couch and sulked. I know when I get home, I will find a strategically placed hairball in my chair or on a piece of clothing.

Ft. Lauderdale Bound – Definitely

Saturday, February 1, 2024

Pumpkin was sleeping peacefully in his cat condo until he heard the bags rolling across the floor at 7:45 a.m. He knew then that it was going to be a bad day for the kitty. His trained staff was leaving. He glared at us from under the bed as we said our good-byes. I take great pains to be sure that the cat sitter has everything he needs to take good care of Pumpkin, including detailed instructions, but I get no credit from Pumpkin – only complete disdain. Sigh.

We battled patchy, dense fog as we drove to the shuttle office. I was happy that there was little traffic. The shuttle left promptly at 9:00. The driver had to deal with more dense fog and had to make one stop along the way to pick up two passengers. We made it to the airport at 11:15. We dropped off our big bags at the curb-side check-in.

Using CLEAR and TSA-precheck, we were at the front of the security line quickly. Usually either Chuck or I have one of our carry-ons go through the “naughty” line. This time, we both had a bag. His backpack and my roll-on were both flagged. However, neither bag was opened when it reached the TSA person. He just handed them to us. Okay. On we go to the gate.

Once we got to our gate, we decided to have a Wendy’s lunch. Note – the airport Wendy’s does not offer the special “Biggie Bag” menu option. The fries were cold too. Pitiful. Dave would have been disappointed in that franchise.

We were supposed to board at 1:15 and leave at 2:00. Our plane was at the gate. At 12:30, we got notified that we were missing our flight crew. The flight crew that was on our plane had ended their shift and were leaving. Our flight would be getting a crew coming from Boston. That plane had not yet landed. Since having a flight crew is pretty important, we settled in to wait. They arrived at our gate at 2:00 to cheers from the waiting crowd. We were soon allowed to board, and we finally took off at a little after 3:00.

Chuck started a movie but I just listened to music and kept reading my book. I hate starting a movie on flights that are less than 3 hours. I didn’t see any series I wanted to watch either.

Once we landed and got our luggage, an Uber Comfort took us to the Hyatt Place Plantation. I thought I had messed up by choosing Comfort over XL when I saw the Tesla that pulled up. I didn’t think it was going to be big enough for the luggage. However, the driver was able to get the big bags in the trunk but the carry-on, he had to put in his front seat. The ride was very nice but I need to stick to Uber XL when we have luggage.

This Hyatt Place is not the one I normally choose in Ft. Lauderdale, but it was much less expensive than the Dania Beach one this time. I was even able to use Hyatt points. The accommodations were fine but there are very little food choices within walking distance from this location. We ended up at a KFC down the block. It was surprisingly good. The Colonel would have been proud.

Once we were back to the hotel, we got our bags tagged for tomorrow and settled in for some TV time. No hurry to get up as we don’t plan to leave the hotel until check-out time at 11:00.