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TRAVELS IN CHINA 2002

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Onward - Travels to China 2002 - St. Louis to Canton

It was the same bumpy ride 100 miles to the airport as previous journeys, in a van-type shuttle. It seems like each time I pass through an airport the skies are gray and not very friendly. Security did seem a little more thorough and much more efficient than before; Some of it good, and some bad.

On my way to Nanning in S.W. China, I had planned a layover of some 4 days in Canton (Guangzhou, now days). Convincing the check-in clerk that I did not want my luggage checked through to Nanning took some doing. They seemed to think it unusual that I did not want to spend 4 days in Guangzhou (Canton) without clean clothes. After many questions and the assistance of a manager to code my luggage tags correctly, I was on my way to the security line.

After putting everything in the basket or on the conveyer, I was herded through the metal detector. As always, my suspender clasps rang the bell, but now they have a new and more thorough response. I got the wand, was relieved of my shoes and jacket, turned my jeans fastener inside-out and was finally deemed safe to continue. In their defense, the security staff were very friendly and efficient, clearing me in less than 5 minutes. It seemed like they were actually trying to do what they were supposed to do, so I brought to their attention he fact that my ¾ liter aluminum SIG bottle full of whiskey, which passed through the detector without question in my pack, could have been filled with gasoline. They were very interested in that, so they asked to borrow it. They took my bottle of 12-year old Hennings (for medicinal purposes, of course) over to the x-ray and had all of the security people see what it looked like so they could identify any future such potentially dangerous things. After this little show, they thanked me for the use of my little bottle as a training prop. This was the first time that I can say that I have passed airport security with a feeling that something got done right, and felt a little safer for the experience.

I spent more time, about 3 hours, watching people dashing to and fro like demented insects. I think people are much more casual than in past years - in attitude and dress. The only skirts or dresses were worn by flight crews and airport security. This dashing business is quite interesting though. It seems that a hurried running-backs dash through the terminal usually ends in a restless dance at the baggage carousel along with even he slowest departees. No amount of shoving and dancing around like you have to pee seems to make the luggage appear more quickly. I think most of the dashers are just afraid the boss will appear and discover them in a relaxed mode that could be interpreted as a lack of ambition. Myself, I will freely admit to anyone who asks that I am not the ambitious type, I take my time getting around and am rewarded with the stories I see along the way.

Cell phones are even more common than a year ago when I last flew. I think there is some fear of not being electronically entertained by travelers. If they are not hustling forward determinedly while yacking away on a biscuit-sized electronic wonder, they may miss something or actually have to occupy themselves with thought. On TV, I see that newer cell phones have color screens, games, email and WWW capability. I never see anyone writing and seldom see anyone reading. Mostly, they look at their watch, tap their feet, and think more about the destination than the journey.

The American Airlines leg from St. Louis to LA was predictable, unremarkable and uneventful. American does, however, have a new policy regarding movies and headphones. Instead of doling out proprietary rental headphones for $5 a head, they are now standard stereo sets and sell them for $2; they are yours to keep. Maybe markets do work; there’s a lot of competitive pressure on airlines now days. Otherwise it was the standard US flight, staffed by semi-automatons just going through the motions -- 4-hour flight with a bag of pretzels and a coke. Asiana's service to Seoul was something quite different.

LAX was crowded at 11 p.m., at least the international wing was. I met Paul here for our trans-Pacific adventure. Instead of the ticketing/baggage difficulties of St. Louis, we found helpful and smiling Asiana people at the counter. Reserved seats confirmed and onto the security line in about 2 minutes.

Security is where it all falls apart for LA. They had the same 3 metal detectors as St. Louis, but a waiting line that snaked its 400-person length through half of the terminal. Not only was the process poorly handled, the metal detectors were faulty.

I wear a huge silver bracelet, have a Spanish coin medallion that weighs 2 oz and wear suspenders with metal clips -- an ensemble that never fails to set off the bells and whistles and get me hustled over to the wand guy. When I went through the arched opening here, there was nary a peep. I thought this a bit unusual, so I found the security supervisor and told her about the events. Her response was “Don’t worry.” I expect better in this post 9-11 era. LAX appeared pretty sloppy by today’s standards.

After the un-security torture we headed for gate 121, where the 747 chariot awaited. Crisp in the best work I can use for the Asian staff-crisp and smiling. The stewardesses were helpful while boarding and throughout the flight. Even after 11 hours in the air, the smiles persisted and one felt that these were people who cared about the quality of your flight. No wonder US airlines are dropping like flies (pun intended).

The stewardesses, and even the chief steward (almost always a man on Asian airlines) came out in show costumes at one point and did magic tricks for our entertainment. Cards and scarves whirled through the cabin. I ain’t never seen nothin’ like it.

As opposed to US domestic flights, where the only thing magical is if your Coke actually appears, the service was impeccable, the food good, the flight smooth and actually fun. American Airlines, take heed or you’re next in line for the block. Airlines are a service industry, and the Asian companies are actually providing some. Hot steamed towels, water and juice very 30 minutes to keep us hydrated in the air conditioning, smiling friendly service; I loved it and I’ll fly Asiana again next time.

I took a sink bath at the Seoul airport and got some souvenir won (Korean money), which apparently is on the outs again at 1350 to the dollar. After the ultimate red-eye, I was so ragged out that I just waited in the departure lounge for 3 hours until we were herded into the next 7XX something for the 3 ½ hours to Guangzhou. Liang Xi was first to spot us at the customs area. She bounced and danced like a marionette on meth.

CHINA TRIP 2001 TAIWAN TRIP 1999

(1) U.S. TO CANTON (2) CANTON (3) NANNING, REPRISE (4) WEDDING TALK (5) REALLY DIFFERENT (6) ONLY ONE!

(7) CUSTOM CLOTHES (8) HIGH GROUND (9) MUGGED (10) TO GUILIN (11) LI RIVER (12) WEI'S CLASS

(13) THE BIG DAY (14) WEDDING ALBUM (15) HEADING HOME

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