The meeting had just ended and I said my goodbyes. It was a beautiful, sunny day as I dashed to my rental car (a Ford Mustang this time...free upgrade). I am flying out of Reagan National in Washington, D.C. on US Airways in a couple of hours.
With the throaty roar of the 8 cylinder engine, I headed onto the Baltimore-Wshington Parkway. Traffic was moving well and I seemed to be making good time. That soon changed. After numerous detours around Washington from all the road repair, I finally made it the airport and Avis rental return, gave back the car and caught a shuttle bus to Terminal C.
I checked in for my flight two hours early and headed up to the US Air Club for some quiet time away from the masses in the terminal. Everything looked good for my flight. I saw no delay or cancellation on the board, or on the App on my IPhone for my flight. I settled into one of the big comfy leather chairs in the Club with a coffee and my book.
Suddenly my phone rang. It's my wife, telling me that US Air called to say that my flight had been delayed. It still wasn't showing on my App or on the Arrival/Departure Board in the US Airways Club. Considering the weather was perfect, I had a hard time believing it. Thankfully, I had a two hour layover in Philadelphia, so the delay wouldn't interfere with my getting home (hopefully). Eventually, the time came for my delayed departure, and I headed to the gate.
While waiting to board, my phone rang again. It was my wife, calling to say that US Air called (again) to say that my connection was also delayed an hour. "Okay, so this won't be too bad. At least I will not have any problem making my connection.", I thought to myself.
We all boarded the airplane and found our seats, while some passengers struggled with fitting all the carry-on luggage in the overhead compartments. The Flight Attendants actually had the audacity to practically yell at the passengers to hurray up so they could get out of there. Um, hello, US Air, the delay was YOUR fault.
As I sat there, I played the "Open Seat" game. Oh, you know that game!! It's where you scan the crowd walking the aisle hoping to get a good seat mate. You pray it's not the mother with the toddler (kid looks sick and cranky), or the guy with scabs all over his face (gross). Wait!! Is it going to be that good looking business woman? Damn, not her...this went on for a little while, until a thin older man took the window seat. We were lucky enough to have no one in the middle seat.
Eventually, all the luggage got stowed and everyone took their seats and buckled in. I settled back and took out the book I bought in the terminal, expecting to be in Philly within 40 minutes. The jet was pushed away from the Gate and it taxied onto the tarmac, where it stopped. The intercom crackled to life, "Ah....greetings from the front of the bus...this is your Captain speaking. We....ah...just got contacted by the Ops Center (US Air Ops center), and...uh...there seems to be a bit of traffic up in Philly. They're gonna hold us here a bit....um... it looks like we'll get released in 45 minutes. just sit tight folks!" Great, now my delay was delayed! Oh how I love business travel! We soon got released to move out to the taxi way, and were promptly informed we were 14th in line line for take off. Eventually we made it to Philadelphia.
If there is anything I dislike more than US Air it is US Air in Philadelphia. In my opinion, it is one of the worst airports to fly in and out of. If there is even a hint of bad weather, the delays start mounting there quickly. Although the weather was perfect, this day was no different than if it were snowing. When we deplaned, I could see pandemonium at multiple gates. Apparently there were a lot of other delays as well. Typical scene at Philly!!
After an uncomfortable wait in the terminal, we boarded the flight to Manchester, and arrived without any drama. As the passengers, were leaving the plane, a Flight Attendant, was giving a thanks for flying US Air speech and actually said "At US Air we put the U in US!"After all the delays, I wanted to hit her in the face with a pie!
I followed the passengers to baggage and stood milling about, staking out the perfect spot to wait for my luggage. Soon an alarm sounded and the luggage started coming out. This is a point of anxiety for many passengers..."Will my luggage make it?" Around and around the luggage carousel went. Passengers grabbed their luggage as it went by, and I stood there waiting...all of a sudden the carousel stopped. NO LUGGAGE! Damn...just perfect! I immediately headed to the luggage claims area, and there was my luggage waiting for me. It took an earlier flight!!! Now why in the hell couldn't I be on that one too?
Enjoy this funny video. Thanks for reading!!
Why You Can't Use Cell Phones On Planes
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