LEAVING HOME
After packing and organizing tirelessly for the last week and a half it was time to set out to Dulles airport in Washington, DC. My repatriation flight was originally from Jeddah to Washington so when I called to re-book, I was unable to change departure to the much closer JFK in New York (Note: This was not the case for everyone).
On the drive down, I was able to call in to change my US carrier's SIM card to an older phone so that I could use my current phone in Saudi while still being able to receive confirmation texts and important calls for business here in the states. I left my phone with my family for safe keeping. I was also able to cancel a few last minute subscriptions. We received a flood warning entering the Herndon area but alhamdullilah there was no issue.
We pulled up to IAD Airport Terminal 2 with my two checked luggage and carry-on. I bade my family fare-well and stepped into the airport to start my journey.
CHECK-IN
With COVID-19 swirling there is a lot of confusion about what is needed to board the plane. See our coming article “The Return” for the items we were asked to prepare in detail. Here, I will summarize what and how I presented my documents to the check-in desk as well as how I found the overall experience. Firstly, stepping into the airport I noticed that all were wearing masks so I followed suite. Next I walked around the back of the check-in counters and found the Saudi Airlines ticket desk. Even though I was almost 3 hours early, two lines had begun to form. The longer one was economy so that’s where I stood. Soon I saw another student stroll up and join. Walhamdullilah, It was a beautiful reunion. Before I was called up to the desk I verified the documents I had printed.
First, I held my passport in hand, to which I had attached my Iqama and CDC vaccine card. Next I reviewed my KSA Ministry of Health eservices registration e-mail, which I had printed, my Muqeem registration (which has on it a registration number) and my Negative PCR result from a test I took 48 hours prior. (Note: the window for validity is 72 hours or three days from having your nose swabbed to your flight time.)
When presenting these 6 items to the ticket agent he breezed through the passport, Iqama, MOH e-mail and then paused at the registration asking me about Tawakkalna. When I told him that I was I unable to register in the system because I did not have access to my Saudi Arabian carrier service (Zain) he had me wait and stepped away to speak to another agent.
When he came back, he told me to register in Tawakkalna as soon as I got to the Kingdom. (We will re-visit Tawakkalna in the next article) I agreed and he began to check my luggage. One of my bags was exceptionally heavy, by my estimation and so I was relieved when he weighed it and it came up to 23.5 kg. He accepted both bags, handed me my luggage tags and directed me to security. (Note: the two checked bags are not to exceed 50lbs or 23kg however it is known that Saudi Airlines is quite accommodating to passengers)
THE FLIGHT
TSA, by Allah’s permission was a non-issue. We submitted our passports and boarding passes to the agents, took off our shoes, emptied our pockets, received our density screenings and proceeded to gate A31. We confirmed with the Saudi Airlines agent that we were in the right place, prayed our Thuhr and Asr prayers and passed the time. With great joy we greeted three more of our companions who strolled up a little before boarding and soon we were on the plane, taking our seats waiting for departure.
The flight was well organized and for the most part, socially distanced. We were only allowed to sit in our assigned seats. The crew was cordial. the captain reminded us to rely on Allah in our journey and to read Surah Kahf as it was Friday. I do not know how to reconcile between the fact that the bathrooms had signs posted saying that ablution was prohibited on the aircraft and that during our 11-hour flight we passed by 3 prayers: Maghrib, Esha and Fajr. Alhamdullilah I was able to pray seated however, as the standing prayer area found on Saudi Airlines flights was cordoned off, presumably to enforce social distancing. The food for both Dinner and Breakfast was well prepared. At night we had the options of chicken and rice, lamb and rice and Pasta with our pick of one of two sides. Breakfast was between a veggie omelet and Beef Biscuit. I had the chicken and the omelet with drinks throughout and was very happy.
On the plane we were given an adherence form to fill out however we were not asked to present this at any point afterwards. The document requested our personal information and a guarantee that we would abide by the country's COVID-19 restrictions. We arrived on time to our scheduled gate with no issues landing and went through security. Only one of us had any issue at the customs counter but it was fixed when a screenshot of the visa validity page on the Muqeem website was presented. Personally, I did not have to present any documents other than my passport, vaccine card and Iqama.
Coming Next:
Jeddah Airport ▪️ Baggage Claim ▪️ Getting a Sim Card ▪️ Boarding to Medinah ▪️ Money Exchange ▪️ Tawakkalna ▪️ Moving Around ▪️ Jaamiah ▪️ Dorms ▪️8.22.21 Return Procedures
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of IBNTEK or its members. This account does not substantiate all possibilities, rather acts only as reference for future study of processes and procedures.
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