Last Minute Flights and Snowy Returns

Our exit from Egypt was filled with the usual drama of a late alarm and departure from the hostel, erratic bus schedules to the airport, and a poorly timed stop for a danish on the way to the terminal by our less than motivated driver.  After three bus changes, a semi-sprint through the terminal, a security stop for Dean at the x-ray machine, and a brief pause for Stacy to upchuck into a plastic bag we arrived at the Air France check in counter and were greeted by a big "Closed" sign on the desk.  A baggage handler offered his condolences, but after a bit of prodding went into the back offices and emerged with a supervisor looking woman who seemed to take inordinate pleasure with yelling at me in French. After some heated exchanges and well placed begging she decided to allow us to check in and go to the gate.  The flight to Paris went smoothly as I discussed my future career as an oil rig medic with some bigwig in the industry.  It wasn't very serious, but he did give me his card to use as a reference and I was calling him Uncle Jim by the end of the flight. Paris proved to be a security nightmare as they stole my carabiner and safety scissors from my medical kit.  When I asked for a policy statement about carabiners, they stated they didn't have to show me a list of banned items or explain their decision in any way.  They threatened to call the police, which I took them up on, and I then proceeded toward my gate of departure.  They said I couldn't leave the area, but failed to restrain me so I left.  I told them to tell the police to look for the highly agitated American at gate 81 missing $35 worth of 'dangerous' items.  Needless to say I never saw the fearsome French police or my property again.  The flight to New York was long but rewarding as we approached home with every passing hour.  Cold and snowy is how it goes in Central New York.  Just in time for the Holidays.