And Here's Yet Another "Bye, Mom" Picture

After spending a ridiculously long time in the seriously under-staffed "special services" line, he was lucky to have made it to the plane with a whole 15 minutes to spare. No time for breakfast. We're not even sure if his suitcase will make it with him...

Fortunately Ernest is a wonderfully calm child young man. Mom is a frazzled wreck right now. Yes, he's flying on I didn't have a choice Delta, the airline which mixed up two unaccompanied minors. (All the paperwork goes into a red-labeled envelope...I can see how they could have mixed them up,,,but I really wish I hadn't looked up these other stories.)

Fortunately, there was only one of Ernest and I saw him walk down the tunnel to the plane. (What do you call that tunnel? Gangway? Gangplank? I looked it up -- "airbridge." Now you know.) And someone non-Delta was meeting him in Atlanta to take him to his connecting flight.

I haven't heard from him yet...he was supposed to call in Atlanta but he didn't (I am thinking cell phone trouble, forgetfulness, or too busy with the meet-and-greet). I did call the organizers who assured me everyone got there OK.

Next plane departed 12 minutes ago, according to Flightarrivals.com.

But you can understand why I am a teary-eyed, snuffly mess right now. I miss him already, but when I post some of his itinerary you'll see what an amazing opportunity this is.

Bon voyage, Ernest.