In the mid-70s when I first flew from LAX to AKL (Los Angeles to Auckland New Zealand) I bought a separate ticket for the LAX to PPG (Pago Pago) because American Samoa was still charged as a domestic flight and the overall savings were quite significant. I’d get off the plane in Pago Pago leaving my luggage on the plane. Then I’d go into the terminal, show my passport and my ticket from PPG to AKL and reboard. Simple as that.
Same for the return flights.
That loophole was eventually plugged by the airlines and it wasn’t long before there were non-stop flights between AKL and LAX. In the meantime, Pago Pago was still a refuelling stop.
I can’t remembe the exact reason one of my flights from LAX to AKL was diverted to Papeete, Tahiti but it was and passengers were told we could either stay onboard or get off and stretch our legs in the terminal. Even though it was dark and nothing open yet I chose the terminal .
Because I was stepping onto French Territory I had to go through customs. Only a few of us had opted to stretch our legs and the customs process was quite casual … and got even more casual. I had to present my passport to a male officer but there were two young and quite beautiful females who took it from there.
They giggled a lot and accompanied me to a fairly remote area of the terminal where they told me they needed to check me over before I reboarded in case I was carrying any “metal objects.” They took turns patting me down and continued giggling. I was enjoying all the attention and wondering where this would go.
They swiped me with what I assumed was a metal detector although I couldn’t hear any beeping or see and sort of readout. Oh well … I was still enjoying it and they were still giggling.
At one point one of the young women stopped and said to the other, “It must be his belt buckle,” and asked me to take off my belt. Not a problem … with that I’d started to become visiably aroused and hoping this is what was meant by stretching my leg.
“No … it must be his zipper.” Oh boy! This is going to be a real adventure in paradise.
At that point the flourescent lights in the terminal started to flicker into life. My companions suddenly stiffened while I unstiffened. They handed back my belt, smilled and giggle while quickly walking away. An announcement asked the passengers from that flight to reboard ASAP so we could resume our onward journey.
My adventure in paradise was over.
La Orana Tahiti! © Robert R. Feigel 2022 – All rights reserved
Pieces from a Puzzling Life 