Jan 09 2010
Thursday’s Ride Home
Have you ever had one of those days when you just can’t wait to get your hair off?
Alright, so that’s only applicable to a handful of us out there, but as I get through this post, you’ll probably be able to relate to what I’m talking about. And if you can’t? I hate you. Then you’re a much more patient person that I’ll ever dream of being.
At 3 p.m., I diligently checked American Airlines’ website to see what time my 5:25 flight was scheduled to depart. It had been snowing in Chicago since midnight, and although it had slowed down, it was headed across the lake to points East. The same way I was trying to head. I was surprised to see that it was only delayed until 6:10, but – hope shines true and all that shit. So, I packed up and headed out to O’Horror.
There were all of 2 people in the security line when I arrived. This should have been a clue as to how the day was going to progress.
At 6:10, there was no plane for us to leave on. The gate attendant announced that it would arrive in 15-20 minutes.
Suddenly, our new departure time was 7:10. At a different gate. Downstairs.
Then the board changed again. 7:30 p.m. departure. Upstairs gate.
At 7:08, the plane hadn’t arrive. 7:50 p.m. departure.
There were 51 people on the standby list from other flights that had been canceled. There are 74 seats on the type of plane we were using.
As Mr. Hot and I were texting, an 8:15 departure was posted. It was 7:48. Had we left on time, I’d have been home, drink in hand and curled up on the couch.
I overheard one tall man telling another tall man that he was trying to get home to see his son in the hospital. His flight had been direct from Miami to Detroit originally, but they had been diverted to Chicago. And now he was stuck there.
Somehow, between 7:48 and 7:57, our departure was postponed ANOTHER 45 minutes. According to the powers that be, we’d be leaving at 9.
We also changed gates again. They told us G6A, but dear Mr. Hot, watching at home, told me it was G4. Mr. Hot was right.
I started speaking to a young guy standing next to me. There were no seats so we leaned against the wall. I found out that he’d been on the 3:15 flight – one of the ones that American had actually canceled. He had come in from Seattle (where he’s in the Navy) to get to his fiance, in labor with their first child. He was one of the 51 people on the standby list.
I listened to Buckcherry on my music player.
At 9:06, I sent Mr. Hot another text. “Now it’s 9:15. They’re such fucking liars.”
At 9:09, I sent another. “I’m on the plane.”
At 9:19, he sent me one. “Now, 9:30.”
Then they brought a mechanic on the plane to check a “Malfunctioning Signal Light” or some such bullshit. At 9:35, the mechanic gave us the approval to go.
We still hadn’t been de-iced.
At 10:02, the pilot said the de-icer would be there by 10:40.
At 11:00 p.m., that same pilot started giving us updates for the BCS Championship game. None of us gave a shit.
At 11:10, the flight attendants passed out water.
At 11:20, they handed out all of the trail mix and roasted almonds that they had on board. Since they normally charge $5 each for one of those little bags…I knew we were fucked. not leaving anytime soon.
Two flights from Chicago to Detroit that were originally scheduled for AFTER us (the 6:40 p.m. and the 9:50 p.m.) had both taken off AND landed in Detroit by this time.
At 11:45, more water was offered. I asked for vodka. I didn’t get it.
Finally. At midnight. The de-icers arrived, sprayed us with anti-freeze, and we backed from the gate. I closed my eyes.
We hit the air, wheels up at 12:15 a.m., a mere 6 hours and 50 minutes late.
After landing, finding a car service driver (I had told Mr. Hot to go to bed hours earlier) and making it the final 25 miles on empty, snow-covered roads, I crawled into my bed at 2.
No one got angry. It wasn’t American’s fault, it wasn’t O’Horror’s fault. It was just one of those days when traveling means that things are going to suck at a much higher level. Detroit’s airport closed because they couldn’t keep up with clearing the runways. Chicago’s airport ground crew couldn’t keep up with the de-icing; they’d clean one and it would get delayed and they’d have to do it over.
—- But getting in my own bed? With my husband and my dog? Nothing ever, ever felt so good. —-
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OMG that’s almost as bad as the time on December 23, 1997 when we were stuck on the tarmac at O’Hare for 11 hours. “Us” including an 11-month-old and a two-and-a-half year old. They wouldn’t let us off the plane, either. The only snacks we had were a tub of raisins. And the diaper bag had only two diapers/pull-ups each.
Now you know why we drive to New England.
The bad thing is that was a once-a-year Christmas visit, whereas you go through this crap every week. (((Ree)))
Poppy Buxom´s last blog ..Where I’ve been, where I am, and where I want to be today
I was on a plane a few days ago and was just annoyed with everything. I really don’t know how you do it multiple times a week.
Argh! I would have totally had a nervous breakdown….as I almost did just reading about your day. You are an intrepid traveler!
DogsDontPurr´s last blog ..Sparkly Tree 2009
I would need a crap-ton of pharmaceuticals to get through your weekly commute.
Jen on the Edge´s last blog ..Odds and Ends
Oh, I have just touched down after a slight blog hiatus (if only I could surf one handed at 3 in the morning. Note to self – invention required to be able to program blogs into your TV so the 3 in the morning feed can be done with blog-reading rather than informercials) and all I can say is I must have missed the “we are moving” announcement you have mentioned in the last few posts I just skimmed.
You know, I am going to miss your commute posts – I am sure you won’t – but could you do a couple for “fun” for us who travel vicariously through you?
What a mess – - SO glad you are home, safe and sound!
Liz J in Central Illinois´s last blog ..*sigh* Here We Go Again . . .
I’m sorry, but the first line of this horrific post made me spit out my drink.
and it was good vodka, too.
When I used to fly home from Philadelphia in the winter I would always book my flight through Houston and not Chicago and this is exactly why. Of course, you live in Chicago, so I understand it’s not possible.
Looking forward to moving? Happy New Year!!
Jenny/Boxer´s last blog ..Friday
UUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! What a nightmare. Of the worst kind. Well, almost the worst. So not fun.
I do like your name for O’Hare, though, to be sure.
Jason´s last blog ..Release and Replace
I would TOTALLY take off my hair after that!
daysgoby´s last blog ..in a manner of speaking
All I could do, when I got to the end of your post and you were at home, in bed, safe and sound, with Mr and dog was take a deep sigh.
Bless your heart, darlin. Glad you made it back home. Now have a cocktail, make one for Mr Hot, too and, oh hell, give a little to the dog.
Krissa´s last blog ..Bless Her Heart
So glad you made it home finally, safe and sound. It’s -11 here this evening so far, and may get lower, and it’ll be paying you folks a visit tomorrow evening, no doubt…
Coast Rat´s last blog ..It Really Is A Small World
Duuude. I still have post-traumatic stress from a similar experience at O’Horror back in the late ’80s. And then there was the time I tried to get to Ohio for my grandpa’s funeral exactly 11 years ago, when they kept closing the Cleveland airport. And then there was the time I tried to get BACK to Texas from my grandmother’s funeral a couple of summers ago, when they kept closing the Dallas airport.
And this is why I’m seriously considering DRIVING from TX to OH for the next funeral, no matter what time of year it is. God, I hate flying.
Badger´s last blog ..Jarhead
I swear they have made air travel into an endurance test. It’s just so wrong.
Green Girl in Wisconsin´s last blog ..green girl & the iowa summer writing festival (part III)
“Two flights from Chicago to Detroit that were originally scheduled for AFTER us (the 6:40 p.m. and the 9:50 p.m.) had both taken off AND landed in Detroit by this time.”
That’s the part that makes me say SOMEONE’S AT FAULT FOR SOMETHING. You are obviously a much more evolved person than I am to conclude otherwise.
Ack! I feel your pain. No point going stark raving foot stomping mad … but with me, it is always close to the surface. I know there is no sense to how they re-schedule the delayed flights. Why isn’t someone working on THAT? Luckily the pilots weren’t going on overtime, and you’d be delayed again.
pamokc´s last blog ..Mute Monday – Blue – a collection of some old faves
Buckcherry is perfect for this trip. I have no desire to fly anywhere, ever again. I’m feeling ya, darlin.
witchypoo´s last blog ..Online Christmas
Dude, that SUCKS. SO GLAD you made it home.
Shelly´s last blog ..More