Time to head back home. Luckily I noticed a few weeks ago that I had been shifted to a flight that was code share by Delta but flown by Air France. This wasn’t going to work for me since AF is very picky about carry on size and weight, and Delta has an official “no weight limit” on carry ons. Since I’m pushing both weight and size, I don’t want to fight with AF ground staff. The change was able to be accomplished on the app and didn’t cost anything and resulted in a an afternoon flight, something I’ll keep in future as it makes the departure much much easier. I had time to get up, do additional cleaning, go out for coffee and then take the RER B to the airport. By chance, I got an express train with only two stops between Les Halles and the airport, about 30 minutes. Then of course the fun begins…. After waiting about 15 minutes in the passport line, the PARAF machine wouldn’t read my passport, so I got shunted into the manual line for another 30 minute wait. (As usual, about 2 people actually stamping passports for the whole country!!! Unbelievable and typical of CDG). The concept of ramping up staffing to meet demand has never occurred to anyone at CDG. Then train out to the M terminal, followed by security, which decided not to be a pain this trip. Pro tip: The sky priority line is usually slower than the general line, since it only has one checkpoint and the general line has 4-5 checkpoints. From there, the M terminal has nothing but pastry shops except one place that serves charcuterie. I took a stool there and had a plate of things and it worked well. Refused admittance once again to the Air France lounge and not even possible to buy your way in on a coach ticket on Delta. (Since I’m always flying for free, I don’t waste points or money on upgraded tickets.). CDG is one of the worst airports I use, and I always feel bad that the final impression of France is somewhat of a clown show and invariably leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Given how well the French do trains, it is surprising how badly they do airports. If you do fly in or out of CDG be sure to be strategic, avoid flying out on weekends, check and avoid holidays, avoid strike days etc. If you have to ask why, try it sometime and you’ll know. During the summer Olympics this will be a total disaster and I would recommend you fly out of somewhere else. No problem boarding with my roll aboard and 32L REI Traverse pack, two empty seats next to me in the back of the bus. Easy 10hr flight with a couple of movies. Tested out the new Global Entry Mobile app, only useable in some airports, Seattle is one, take a selfie then walk up to the agent and out the door, skipping the kiosk all together. All in all a great trip with no major drama, only a few minor errors, some good meals, lots of contacts and generally good fun. It is interesting to contrast what the French do well with what Americans do well and they are quite different. It is nice to be back where bathrooms are spacious and well thought out, there are not quite so many obstacles positioned to hit your head, and you can get good coffee and real bacon! Unfortunately, you are unlikely to walk nearly as much, transit is generally not usable and there are no long distance high speed trains. There are, however, more convenient bathrooms, tremendously faster cashiers and waiters, and much much better coffee. One thing that happens more in France and particularly in Paris, is that you end up meeting and talking to all kinds of people. A big thank you to Quentin and Leopoldine at Le Bucheron, near my apt. For making me welcome and introducing me to their friends and family.