Comming Home The Plane Rides and Our Friends at Customs

Eric and I got to our seats and I instantly found that my seat was broken. It wouldn’t stay "upright and locked." I know better than to complain about this because they will need to fix the seat and the plane will not be able to take off till they do. Eric was REAL excited to be on the plane and started jumping around like a monkey grabbing the seat of the 2 soldiers in front of us (one of which had arms bigger than my head). Eventually I got him to calm down and sit down. About a hour into the flight he announced that he was tired and laid down to go to sleep. His feet were hanging in the isle so I switched with him and he slept for about 2 hours. I ate and drank a beer. Then eventually dozed off my self. We both woke up a while later Eric ate and we watched a movie. A little while later (4 hours or so) he feel asleep and stayed asleep for the most of the remainder of the flight. The flight it self wasn’t really so bad. Eric was very well behaved and many of the passengers around us complimented him and I on his behavior. The problem with the flight was the crew and the plane. My seat not working was a inconnivance but it pointed to the overall maintenance of the plane and it's age. During our landing water leaked into the passenger area from the fuselage and was dripping quite a bit as the plane finally touched down roughly in Detroit. The crew was well less than helpful and not so understanding telling me I had give them my tray even though my son was asleep and had not eaten. I asked for such unreasonable items as a 1/2 cup orange juice and water that brought a scowl to my Airhostess face. there was one woman who was very helpful and I was disappointed when she left for her break . But the best part of the flight was getting off it that’s for sure. I plan to write a brief complementary letter on the things that were done right and wrong on the flight. When the plane did land we needed to wait for some one who had a medical emergency to be taken off the plane. When we did get off the plane we went through customs. I hate being interrogated just for trying to get back into my own country. The red neck dork at the customs gate with his perfectly groomed horseshoe flat top, talked down to me the whole time, and was amazed to find out that not only was I NOT a English teacher but I held a position that required some level of intelligence. I thought to let him know that I made 2 times what he did and that he might gain something by reading something besides Rodeo Weekly & Guns and Ammo. I could just imagin him holdin the old Red White and Blue over his shoulder while pacing back and forth on a stage bellowing out in a drill instructor styled voice that no “true American could live anywhere other than the good old US of A.” White pointy hood optional. Being a formerly red neck racist bastard I can spot’em a mile away. The rest of the customs staff was very very helpful and polite and we made it to the concourse with plenty of time to spare. I bought Eric some ice cream for his excellent behavior on the plane. Then not long after that did we get on our connecting flight. To Rochester this plane was much better maintained and the crew was very friendly and helpful. The last flight was only 45 minutes so it was pretty much over before it began. We got off the plane in Rochester and found my whole family waiting for us with a banner and all. Eric was a little shy at first but by the time we stopped for dinner at Taco Bell him and Grandpa were getting along great. We went home and Eric found the warm house and all the Christmas lights to his liking. I was exhausted and tried to stay awake till my brother arrived but just couldn’t. Eric was still going so I asked my mom to put him to bed when he was ready. She had no problems at all with that and I woke up in the morning to find him asleep in the bed next to mine. Getting there was difficult and draining but not impossible. More to come later. E./