Rome – The Worst and Best Airport Experience

My plane left over 2 hrs late from Charlotte and arrived late at Rome. I had planned to transfer to a different airline for the remainder of the flight to Tel Aviv and only allotted 4 hrs to make the transfer. Interestingly, I had to pick up my checked luggage from the baggage claim, leave customs, and then re-enter and check my baggage with the next airline that I was flying with and then proceed through security, passport control, and find my new gate. Well, when I exited the airport arrival level and entered the airport departure level, I did not know where my airline check-in counter was located. I had to wait in line at the information desk to have them direct me where to go because everything was in italian and was number-coated....very confusing compared to American airports...LOL. When I finally got the counter number for my airline and I proceeded toward it, I was confronted with a line that extended down the corridor and around the corner. I would say that there was over 200 people in this line to check into the airline, and at that time, I had less than 1 hour before my flight left. After looking around I proceeded to verify that this was the correct line. When I got to the front of the line (by saying “excuse me” fifty million times), I saw two ticket counters. The ticket counter with my number had only 1 person in front of it. I was elated! I got in line and checked-in and then noticed the people in the long line staring at me as I walked away. Then, the next person in the long line proceeded to the ticket counter I was just at. Apparently, I just made the record for the biggest butting-in-line of my life...HAHA. It was an honest mistake, I swear (but one that I was so happy I did....hehe). 
 
With 25mins before my flight, I rush to passport control and find another 200 people in line. I graciously proceed to the front of the line and ask to be admitted on account of my impending flight departure. I must have been very convincing and the Lord giving me favor with the people. After making it through passport security, I rush (almost running) to security check-point. Again, there were like 100 people in front of me and the line was not moving very fast. I edged my way to the front of the line and asked very kindly to be able to step in front of everyone. (Honestly, I felt really bad asking to do this but I did not want to miss my flight). I am so grateful for the kindness of all those people who allowed me to advance quickly through security. After passing through security, I literally ran for ~1/2 mi to the other side of the airport to my gate. I got there right before the last bus was leaving to take passengers to the outdoor loading site. Whew! I made it but only by the grace of God and the grace of a bunch of people at the airport. I learned a valuable lesson about scheduling flights when you have to exit the airport and re-enter.

Did I also mention that there were 15 planes in front of us and behind us when we taxied onto the runway. That didn't help us leave on time either.  :/