Charles de Gaulle, a giant of a man, was also infuriatingly impossible. So it is only fitting his namesake airport in Paris resembles him. Architecturally stunning in so many ways, it finds ways to drive you to drink or worse. There has not been a single visit, transit which has not meant missed flights, lost bags, club lounge staff who find ways to refuse entry....
...so I land this morning at CDG from the US and have 90 minutes for my connection. From previous trips, I expected a bus tour of the airport. Did not disappoint. I clear immigration - not sure why since I am leaving the country right away. Then walk, take escalators, moving walkways, steps - for 25 minutes to terminal 2D. Not sure why the bus tour did not stop there. Go through security again. Get to gate as the flight is boarding. Start to relax when they - get this - they put us on more buses. One airport rep tells me to wait for next bus since the previous one is full. 5 minutes later another rep comes along and chides me for not getting on the bus. I get on the full bus. We drive for another 10 minutes and park near the tarmac. Driver turns the engine off. 10 minutes in a full bus. Everyone's sweating and looking around, but no one complains (must have been all tourists...the locals would have revolted). Finally the driver starts ignition, only to open the doors and we have to walk back up to our gate. I notice it is in terminal 2B - I had passed that on my long walk earlier. I silently thank God I am not physically disabled. How do they manage through this airport? I must admit my mental state was pretty disabled as I slumped into my seat on the plane.
On my way over I had asked Delta what my upgrade looks like on way back. They said my flight back via Amsterdam did not look good. However, the one from Paris looked better. I called them today and said - no thanks. I will fly economy - no more CDG for me for another year, at least.
The only good thing about CDG - they allowed me to take 2 carry ons that I had from my US flight through to my connection. The icing on the cake would have been if they had like at London forced me to check the second bag...and then lost it ...
