We are not jet-setters. We do not spend a lot of time in airports. As it turns out, that’s become a very good thing because airports are getting more and more miserable.
I hear it on the news: something like one-third of all flights are delayed, with average delays of around an hour. I know I’ve said before that I’m not crazy about traveling with little ones, and I’m thinking that little ones + major flight delays + missing connections = a whole bunch of misery.
As long as I’m just hearing it on the news, watching a TV screen full of complete strangers standing in ridiculous lines at anonymous airports… I can just not think about it too much. After all, it’s not affecting me.
But last night, it affected my poor husband.
Chad was out of town several days this week, and had taken a (delayed, of course) flight to his destination. He was scheduled to hop a plane yesterday at 4:30, go to one airport, catch a connecting flight home a bit later, and walk through our door at around 9:00 last night. Alas, it was not to be.
The first flight: delayed. Delayed to the point that he would miss his connection and not be able to get home until around midnight. Not to worry, says the airline. We’ll simply send you to another airport, where you can hop on a different connecting flight home. Okay. So that flight to the other city: delayed. Not to worry, you’ll still get home. Finally, he gets to that city. The connecting flight home? Canceled. Not to worry, says the airline. Simply stand in this line for several hours and we’ll be glad to help you. Stand, stand, stand. Wait, wait, wait. Oh, our mistake, says the airline. No flights to your home city until Saturday. We’ll refund your money.
Naturally, the horde of people who were all waiting to be graciously taken care of ALL now head to the car rental lines. With no other option, Chad did the same. Two hours later — it’s now 2:00 a.m. — Chad is handed the keys to a blue PT Cruiser, and he begins the long drive home.
If only the airline at the original airport had said, “Look, buddy. Things are really messed up. If you go rent a car, you’ll be home sooner than if you put up with our convoluted ‘help.’”
Oh, well….
He made it home. This morning, right as I got L. down for his morning nap, Chad came walking through the door, pumped up on caffeine and adrenaline. He showered, changed, and is now headed for the airport, to obtain his car and then, yes, off to work. I have a feeling he’ll be falling asleep early tonight, though. And sleeping rather soundly.
I’m glad he’s home. I’m glad home is a place he wants to be, and will drive all night to get here. And I’m glad he won’t be flying again for a little while.
Wow! That’s awful! I hope he is able to get the rest he needs.
I’m so glad Chad made it home, but what a terrible experience.
Poor guy, what a miserable flight.
Planes used to be the mode of choice for travel because they were so much quicker, but all the delays and problems are making it such a headache.
On on of my husband’s worst flights, they loaded everyone on the plane, taxied a bit, then decided the storm was too bad to take off in. I don’t remember how long they sat there in the plane, but people were getting agitated. Then the plane got struck by lightning, and people really panicked. If I remember correctly, I think they had to bring out little cars or carts to transfer people back to the airport and then on to other flights. Though it’s nothing really to be afraid of, one of my biggest fears is getting stuck on a plane like that — I’d rather wait in the airport if I have to wait!!!
Yuck – what a rough trip! I’m hoping he’s used up all the bad-flight-experience vibes there are floating around since we’re leaving early Monday morning for our holidays with all three little ones. You’re right, delays with kids with you is downright awful – I don’t need to experience it this time!
I hope Chad gets rested up and doesn’t have to fly anywhere for a long while!
I am very happy that Chad made it home. I remember about…oh gosh…in 1986 my then boyfriends’ grandparents bought him a car–the trick was he had to go pick it up from the family farm in Billrica, MA. We were living in Santa Barbara, CA. He made the flight to pick up his new car and began to drive home.
I was renting a room from his parents at the time but was sleeping in his room in his bed while he was gone. I remember talking to him on the phone when he was in Denver, CO.
The next thing I knew someone was climbing in the bed saying it is alright I am home
@#!%#% ! What?! He drove 18 hours straight because he missed me. He missed me that much.
Of course we were alot younger and he was in awesome shape so an 18 drive was peanuts.
Glad he made it home.
I can sympathize with you! My husband has to travel a lot for work and he is always getting delayed or they are losing his luggage….
He got home last night after another horrible ordeal. He got to the airport at 4pm to find out that his 8:30 flight was delayed. He got in on standby on a 5:30 flight, which pulled away from the gate at 7:15. And then they stopped 1000ft later and sat there. For 2 hours. He finally got home at about the same time he would have on his original flight.
I’m glad to hear he got home o.k.!!
How awful! I’m glad that he made it home safely!
Is it Delta? Our friend flies Delta for work reasons and is ALWAYS delayed. My father-in-law flies United for work. Always delayed. As you know, we fly a fair bit (for leisure and family) and Terry flies some for work, and we have managed to avoid much of any type of hassle. I think that the secret is Continental. Living in Houston, one of the hubs, that is what we started flying. So, that’s my unpaid endorsement: Continental Rocks!
Sorry for Chad. That’s really annoying. At least he got a refund. From what I understand, airlines are also much less likely to take responsibility and compensate people when they are delayed as well.
Oh, my! I am so sorry for his horrible experience. We travel a lot every summer and have had so much GOOD fortune with easy trips. I guess I will count my blessings.
And that is why I think it’s safe to say my motto is “if I can’t drive there, I don’t go there.” I am not afraid to fly. Not really. I just hate the whole airport scene. It’s not that I’m not a patient person. I just don’t love all the hassle and trying to navigate the crowds and stuff.
I’m glad he made it home safe and sound. He should ahve waited until tomorrow and hitched a ride with me!