Nathan's Insights

Monday 06 January 2025
Highlights: Safely arriving in Dallas with my checked bag, leave extended by two days

I woke up at 5.30 am to leave the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel at 6.00 am via their Airport Shuttle. This was too early for the Sheraton Lounge to be open for breakfast but I had American Airlines access at the airport.

I used the Priority Check-in line and the Priority Security Clearance line at the airport. Despite this, it still took over an hour to get airside. I was glad I gave myself over two hours before my flight but some passengers were getting stressed and even angry at the delays.

Once past security, I found my boarding gate first and then visited the American Airlines Flagship Lounge to grab some breakfast.

While there I was contacted by my apartment sitter (Deb) and advised there was a slow leak of water from the toilet back home. Disappointing given this was newly installed in September 2024. Deb will contact the plumber and get it fixed but it was a reminder of the ‘real’ world back home.

I also messaged my boss and asked for an additional two days leave to delay my return to work until Monday 13 January 2025. My boss confirmed this was approved just before I went to sleep which was a nice bonus.

The flight boarded early, left early and landed early in Atlanta. A first for me to have everything early. Usually, if the flight is early the plane has to still wait for an arrival Gate but not this time. A good experience (see Miami to Atlanta flight review here).

The second flight from Atlanta to Dallas however was delayed so the opposite experience (see Atlanta to Dallas flight review here).

After picking up my checked bag I attempted to call my hotel for the airport shuttle but couldn’t get anyone. I booked an Uber instead as it was very cold outside the airport being around 3c at 2 pm local time and dropping to minus around 7 pm. The weather was way different to the weather experience during this trip.

The hotel I booked was 6 km from the airport and has several shops and fast food outlets within 15 minutes walk which is one of the reasons I booked it. After being checked in and booking an airport shuttle for 3 pm tomorrow I walked to a McDonald’s to get a lunch/dinner. It was a cold walk.

The hotel room was nice enough although I couldn’t get the room as warm as I would like. This is the last night before my flight home which by now I was looking forward to.