Just about every time I've flown out of the New Orleans airport (like, maybe 12 times out of the 16 or so I've done it), they've taken my carryon for the test where they run a piece of gauze over the zipper pulls with a pair of tongs and then run the gauze through some machine. I've been told that this is testing for either explosive or drug residue. (Different people I've asked about this have given me different answers.) I've never had this happen at any other airport, and I've never seen them test anyone else's luggage.

I had that done at Midway once. Fairly sure its for explosives.

They used to do that to my laptops all the time. Though I've not seen it as much recently.

I had that done at Midway once.

I really don't like that airport.

I've had flights delayed by more than a few minutes exactly twice in my life, and both times involved Chicago connections.

Lesson learned: Don't connect in Chicago.

God, the communter section of the--what do they call it--Cincinnati/Northern KY Airport? My hometown airport is a dinky little thing (2 gates, I think. Maybe 4.), so flying into EVV I'm always on a puddle-jumper (aka-I'd use my headphones for the half-hour I can, but I can't hear them over the engine), usually out of CVG(?).

Is Chicago the one with the pretty light-show tunnel, or is that Detroit? I get so confused. I've been through all these airports, but almost always as connections (well, once with Detroit as a destination. That sucked a lot. Took forever to get luggage), so I forget which is which pretty fast.

Well, I know that Terminal One at O'Hare has a lightshow. This doesn't mean that Detroit doesn't.

I've had the swab thing done at O'Hare, though not every time I've been there. They also got a positive explosive reading on a sealed 4-pack of 35mm film from Wal Mart and made me stand without my shoes for 10 minutes while testing and re-testing it. Because if the film turned out to be explosives, I guess the remote control had to be in my laces.

I've had delays at Logan airport as well, but it was during a snowstorm and since it was a direct flight I was only delayed by a couple of hours.

Do not get me started on MIA. those initials are prophetic.

PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO GO TO COMMANDER'S PALACE

I have made a reservation for 6PM on Friday the 20th, but the have a 9PM if that is a problem (I'm happy to have a big lunch and eat late) I scheduled for Friday rather than saturday, since we need to eat at the Prom.

I have Kristin T, DX Machina, -t and DH, and Matt. Anyone else?

Put me on the list if there's room.