To South American by Linear Accelerator

Written by Harold McNeill on January 29th, 2019. Posted in Tim Hortons Morning Posts


Uber has the above Molecular Transporter located in the Best Western in Richmond.  A neat machine that not only transports but can also do DNA sequencing as well as give you a complete medical assessment while en route. You simply fill out a checklist.  Photos in FB Post

Heading to South America

This is the first time we have traveled using a Molecular Transporter, a system developed by UBER with one unit situated just outside the Vancouver Aiport. The neat thing about this type of transportation is the ability to experience all the real-time activities you might see and feel when travelling in one of those outdated stretch bodied commercial jets. I have highlighted a few of our experiences while en route to Buenos Aires via Houston and Miami.

1. Homeland Security appears to have grabbed a significant piece of turf in the Vancouver Airport that is properly titled as “You are Now Entering the United States of America.” Really?  I thought the Vancouver International Airport was located in Canada. I couldn’t take a photo to document this as that’s forbidden. After all the usual checks we were allowed to go about our business in Canada.

2. As our molecules made their way south towards Dallas/Fort Worth, we note the rest of the family (Kari, Grayson Christine, Chris, Audrey, and Cathy) were making their way north out of Miami en route to Kamloops via Toronto and Calgary. They were just returning from a Caribbean Cruise but we could not time it so our molecules could meet.

3. Once in Miami, we were making our way out for a bite to eat along with several young people from Idaho when we were hit by a torrential downpour spurred on by several mini-tornadoes that hit Cuba and Southern Florida. Another couple joining our molecular group, and who live in West Hialeah, had one of those mini tornadoes touch down only two blocks from their home (Miami Herald).

The rain was so heavy over a 15 minute period, we were all drenched to the skin as we were making our way to a nearby Irish Times Pub. By the way, there was nothing Irish in the pub, but their beer and Gumbo was delicious. It is somewhat similar to Jambalaya, but the rice is not cooked in the same pan. Both originated in New Orleans in the 18th century. It was just hot enough to start drying our clothes from the inside.  We managed to get back to the accelerator without finding another tornado.  Can you just imagine the mess if that tornado had hit our molecules and mixed them up?

3. Our exit of the US was about the same as entering only this time the number of checks was doubled, sniffer dogs were circulating the security line and the occasional person (often more black than white – it’s not all that clear why) were singled out for a special check. Garth must have looked suspicious as he was also a marked man.

4. As we were about to depart someone appears to have mixed up our molecules as were here delayed for nearly two hours in a small segregation cubicle as they fixed a heating fan on the transporter. It was nice they left the movies running.

5. Once en route we head out over Cuba and central South America touching Columbia, Chile, Brazil and a few other countries along the route. After crossing the equator, we begin to slow for our approach to Buenos Aires. We also noted we have taken a large loop West somewhere over the Amazon, so there must have been some thunderstorm activity in the area.

6. After landing and having our molecules reassembled, we were greeted by a minimal number of security checks and with a pat on the back and friendly smile, we were sent on our way.  By the way, there was no sign of an UBER taxi at the airport as their system for renting and dispersing cabs seemed extremely efficient.

As a final observation, when comparing the US and Argentinian airport security systems, it seems everyone in the US system appears to be afraid something might escape their notice so double down on everything. They somehow seem to have completely missed the fact that the greatest dangers in the US come from within and not from without.

Photos in FB Post

Cheers,

Harold, Lynn, Garth, and Esther.

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  • Harold McNeill

    October 10, 2024 |

    Comments are reduced to 15 words.

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.