Blackberry Blogging From Cozumel

Our Continental flight pushed back from the gate in Houston right on time at 9:15 yesterday morning. As the engines spun up, we (PajamaGal & I) continued our conversation with Chicago native Sally; our row-mate in 7A. After about 5 minutes, I commented that it seemed unusual we hadn't started taxiing toward the runway. As if a que, the intercom crackled with, "This is your captain speaking; we have a small maintenance problem, the technicians are working on it and we should be underway in about 5 or 10 minutes."

2 hours and 30 minutes later, we rolled out to the runway and took off. We'd gone back to the gate, de-planed, paid 8 bucks for 3 slices of smoked Jenny-O turkey and 2 tablespoons of "BBQ sauce" - absolutely nothing else on the plate - and $7.50 for a 6" pizza.

It was PajamaGal's first maintence delay (once onboard) and she was really ready for a healthy squeeze of my carry-on water bottle's contents and a splash of tonic!

Contrary to the Intellicast forecast of all-day thunderstorms and a weekend of mostly cloudy (an item I'd neglected to pass on to my better-half) we arrived to a sun-drenched 88 degree, and HUMID Cozumel. We weren't first off the plane, and we're 10th through declarations, but 1st to get our luggage. With only the last checkpoint to go, we walked up to a stoplight in front of a normal-looking baggage screening (X-ray) machine.

It was a traffic light; big red light on top, green on the bottom with the standard yellow casing. The official kept pointing to a push-button mounted under the green light. My lack of understanding the Spanish language and his inability to speak english coupled with being first in line, therefor not having the advantage of observing anyone in front of us. It finally dawned on me that I was supposed to push the button. I did and the green light came on! The official waved us through, no screening, no baggage search, nothing. I assume as each party pushes the button some randomized sequence determines whether the green or red light illuminates. While waiting for Dick and Laura I observed what had to be some unlucky red lighted in-depth screenings and baggage searches.
(Enough for now, time for breakfast!)