Coffee and a Laptop: Travel Log: Flight from Hell.

Kelan and I headed out of Laguardia airport yesterday, flying to New Mexico so he could visit his dad. Everything seemed to be rolling right along, we got to the airport with time to spare, boarded the plane, and were ready to go when the pilot announced that they were experiencing some minor mechanical difficulties. At first, it sounded like it would be a quick fix-- ha! After we sat on the plane for half an hour, we were told that the mechanic would need to get someone to come help… we were being un-boarded, but should stay close… likely we'd be off the ground in an hour. That was actually pretty accurate, as it turns out, but it was just long enough that we missed our connection in DC. I knew we would. It is the unavoidable rule of travel by plane… problems beget more problems. As we waited to have our plane fixed, I found a help desk and tried my best to find another way to go, but there just wasn't one. We were hostages of the airlines.

What I find most interesting at these times is the variety of ways people deal with being stuck at an airport. You could put together a manual of each personality type. The savvy traveller, who immediately calls the airlines 800 number to speak to a representative rather than wait on the line, and continues to surf for flight options on their smart phone while they talk through their bluetooth mouthpiece- all the while maintaining the blank stare that says, 'Don't talk to me, I am superior to these other travelers, and should be treated as such'. The twenty something who plugs in their ear buds and blasts loud music to drown out the world till they can get where they need to go. The european backpacker, waiting patiently in the line to speak to the attendant, but all the while, questioning the other passengers in line about exactly what is happening, and how they would suggest he/she should proceed. There is the mother on her last thread of sanity, who always seems to be at the front of the line, poised to sigh, huff and rant about how this situation must be remedied, and her harried husband, standing against the wall with two kids and a mountain of gear, wishing his wife would just come over and help him juggle the screaming toddler and the sleeping 15 month old. The elderly couple, who simply sit in the waiting room chairs and speak quietly to one another, knowing, really, that there is little to be done, and (I think) maybe secretly looking forward to the possibility of meal vouchers and a hotel room adventure in their future. The mom and dad in their late 50's who take the opportunity to call everyone they know and update them as to exactly what is happening, and how they anticipate the next few hours to unfold, loudly, so we can all share in the experience. The drinkers, who find a way to get a seat at the nearest bar taking turns walking back to the gate to monitor the status. And then, there are the types who I am a magnet for. The talkers.

The passengers who determine that mechanical issues on a shared airplane are enough common ground to justify sidling up to that tall friendly looking lady with her son and sharing a little bit about themselves. Yesterday, I met a school teacher from Albuquerque, who didn't even know the number to call to let them know that he wouldn't be a work Monday morning. He lived in NY as a kid, moved to Florida, then back to NY (so he could experience the city as an adult- you know), then he moved to New Mexico, taught there for a while, back to Florida, but he really couldn't take Florida-- the school system there is a train wreck. So, back to New Mexico again, and there he is. He really wishes the Public school system wasn't such a mess-- loves his time with the kids, but all the paperwork and assessments and red tape… well… it's enough to make him think about going back to being an accountant full time. Yep, he was an accountant for years back in the day (can you believe it!) and really, that is easy work… no stress…. Apparently there are three T's in his life, Teaching, Taxes, and Teenagers, and wouldn't ya know it, the Taxes are the easiest! Ha!

Well, I don't know what it is that I'm missing-- I tried really hard to channel the savvy travel lady with her blackberry. I took out my own smart phone. I sent texts. I even made phone calls, but that friendly chatty teacher just kept talking. Eventually, I faked thirst so that Kelan and I could get away, but when we arrived in DC having missed our connection by 10 minutes, guess who was at the desk to retrieve our hotel accommodations and meal vouchers… and on the same shuttle… and checking in at the hotel desk. I guess the good part was that I got to meet his mother (she was traveling with him, but must have been sitting quietly near that other elderly couple), she barely said two words as he recounted the entire conversation we had back at the terminal. I liked her.

Kelan and I checked into our room. The beds were comfortable, and the pillows were exactly right. It made the prospect of having to get up a 6am to catch a flight to L.A in the morning (before connecting to Albuquerque) seem a little less irritating. Good job Hilton! We headed down to dinner with our meal vouchers. The crazy teacher was no where to be found. I ordered a glass of wine and Kelan went for Lemonade. I spread my napkin across my lap and looked across the table at my sweet dissappointed-but-taking-it-all-in-stride boy, and then, across the restaurant, a woman calls out. "Look, honey, She was on our flight too! Are you guys another victim of United Airlines?"

Did you know, she and her husband both work for the same company, and travel for work a lot? They are both SO irritated by how United has handled the day. Did you know they expect her to pay to recheck her luggage when she gets back to the airport tomorrow!?! They are going to spread the word at work, and United will be loosing a LOT of business, I tell you what….