Since last fall I’ve taken at least a half dozen round-trip flights to destinations ranging from Seattle to Dallas, L.A. to Chicago. Now for some of Global Traveler‘s readers, that might correlate to a slow month, but for a relative homebody like me, that qualifies as frequent-flyer status. Indeed, I think the accumulation of flights or miles caused Alaska Airlines to bless me with TSA PreCheck status on my boarding passes starting in December. Which leads me to the first of several observations in the wake of all my recent ramblings: —  I’m not quite sure where that TSA PreCheck blessing came from, but I liked it instantly. When it disappeared on this week’s flight home from Chicago, I missed it terribly. I waited at least 45 minutes to get through security at O’Hare. (Including having an agent move a slew of us from one security post to another, assuring us we’d get through faster. Uh, no.) — Don’t trust that moving to another line will get you there faster. Said TSA agent moved us, deposited us in a lane that was designated for priority passengers, telling the staffer “guarding” the lane to let us in, and then disappeared. Needless to say, we didn’t get to stay in the priority line and ended up back in a really looooong standard line. I was left to gaze mournfully at the empty PreCheck lane. — Little touches at airports make travel just a little bit easier. I’m thinking about those purpose-designed water bottle fillers instead of trying to angle a bottle under a low-flow drinking fountain, or a generous number of electrical outlets — and even counters or workspaces — at gates. — There’s a reason Portland International Airport ranks high on lists of best airports. Great shops, speedy and efficient security checkpoints, spacious and airy concourses, good food, free WiFi, easy access to public transport, live music played throughout. — At least on the flights I’ve taken in the last several years, the pilots rarely tell you what landmarks you are viewing out the window. (Seems like they used to do this all the time; now you’re more likely to hear them encouraging you to apply for the airline’s credit card than tell you what you’re flying over.) On my last flight, our pilot let us know when we were flying over the Grand Tetons and pointed out Yellowstone National Park as well. As we approached PDX, he identified each of several peaks in the Cascade Range in view. — Another great reason to love Portland’s airport: few other airports offer such stunning scenery as you arrive or take off. On my last flight, we flew right over the north shoulder of Mt. Hood, almost level with its 11,000-plus foot peak, still snow covered and glowing in evening sunlight. Sort of made that bother at security in Chicago just melt away. — Best reason to travel and endure any delays or hassles whatsoever: meeting one’s first grandchild. Welcome to the world, sweet baby! — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor