TUE., OCT. 10, 2017 - DAY #1 OF SAFARI - JFK  TO ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - We continue shopping & then board late afternoon flight -  During the previous evening we had also closely examined Jim's case and found it had many large holes in the front of it, so we decided that we must buy two new suitcases.    Early this morning we set out walking to return to the store where we had purchased the large duffel suitcase with plans to exchange it for a more pleasing selection.  At the store, the return was processed and a credit was issued to our credit card.  Then, we closely examined all the cases that were available including the hard-sided cases and decided that we must locate cases that would be more substantial and nearer to the size of what is allowed for the trip.  After determining that nothing usable was offered in that store, we departed and walked another mile or so to a Marshalls.  There, we finally decided on two medium-sized, hard-sided cases.  Returning to our hotel we packed everything in those cases and prepared them for the flight.  

After lunch in a local restaurant, we took the hotel shuttle to the JFK airport ready for our 6:10 p.m. departure on Swiss International Airlines.  Even though we had checked in for our flight online, we learned when we arrived at JFK that we were required to check in at the airline counter with our bags.  The problem was that the Swiss International counters did not open for another one & half hours.  Since JFK provides no seating for passengers before check-in and clearing security, we were forced to stand in a line until the counter finally opened.  Once checked in, we proceeded to a line of people for clearing security.  In the line were well over 200 people.  It reminded me of the queue we encountered, years ago, at Disneyland waiting to get on the most popular rides of the day.  Being "Pre-check" meant nothing; shoes,  belt, every piece of metal, electronic devices, etc. had to be removed and placed in bins.   Finally, we passed through the security clearance and then waited.  Our flight loaded and departed very near on-time and we settled down for the end of the 8-hour flight to Zurich, Switzerland.