02 Jun 2011

f is for flying… and failure

Good Gravy! All I wanted was to fly to and from Michigan with little or no difficulty! I wanted to spend yesterday tip-tapping at my laptop, writing up my monthly review of books I read, finish reading The Last American Man, and eventually end up in Boston.

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no.

Despite consistent prayers to the Gods of Transportation, on my way out to Michigan I was delayed in the Baltimore airport for four extra hours. When they first delayed, I had been at the airport for three full hours on a layover,  I was dropped off at the Boston airport for my first flight almost three hours before take-off.

I didn’t get to my parents’ house until after 10 p.m. that night. I was groggy, woke up groggy the next day and therefore let my hairdresser leave me practically bald!

Okay, that picture gives it away. I did make it home at the end of this story. But hold on. Rewind. I spent almost 8 hours at the Baltimore airport on Wednesday, May 25th. I revisited BWI yesterday at about 3:40. I boarded my connection at 4:25…

… and after weather, air traffic issues, a medical emergency, more weather, and something about how pilots aren’t supposed to work for more than 12 hours a day or whatever, we deplaned at 8:30 p.m. and my flight was cancelled.

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Ugh. I can’t tell this story anymore. If I did, it would contain the following plot points:

  • Rescheduled flights for 6:30 a.m.
  • Waiting an hour for a hotel shuttle to accommodate me.
  • Dropping 80 bucks on a hotel room that I inhabited for about 5 hours.
  • Sleeping for less than 4.
  • A hotel coupon that promised 24-hour on-demand shuttle to the airport… yeah…
  • Reserved 4 a.m. taxi cabs who didn’t take their deadlines very seriously.
  • Intensely long lines to check baggage and go through security.
  • Eating nothing but McDonalds and airline peanuts for nearly 24 hours.

and, yes, eventually landing in Boston this morning at 8 a.m. after a perfect flight, to be picked up by my boyfriend who was home on a “Tornado Day.”

I’m back. I survived. The Lord of the Flights has seriously got it out for me.

I will blog about books on the morrow.

Michigan was fun, but it feels good to be back with two feet on the ground.

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