Moanday Monday

[hildy89]

I really need to stop asking myself what more can go wrong. As I've learned on this trip, there's always more that can go wrong, especially when the airlines are involved.

Memorial Day started fairly early, packing up for the flight home. I caught a quick breakfast before waiting for the hotel shuttle to the airport. Margaret and Spensser from the Chicago six were on my flight home and we marveled at going to the airport the normal way, like regular travelers. We nearly panicked by seeing the arrivals board and thinking our flight was leaving early. It was starting to be a long day.

We were in for a nasty surprise when we tried to check-in with our regular itinerary. Apparently when we didn't make our other flight, the system cancels out the rest of your ticket, even though it was our return flight. No one at Chicago informed us or warned us that we needed to tell United of our change of plans. In the future, apparently we won't be able to be added back to the system so easily and we would have to buy a brand new ticket.

Then came security. Usually that's a snap. But I was tagged for closer security inspection, complete with pat-down and going through my bags, item by item. At least I wasn't bringing home anything embarrassing from the con.

We boarded the flight and all seemed to go well enough. I was seated part way back in the plane, so I felt this clunk initially. Someone behind me mentioned it and they said it must be the landing gear. Although we had already been in the air for awhile by that point. Then they noticed we'd made a rather wide turn. We shouldn't have needed to from the airport. Why did we appear to be turning around? Then came the disheartening news from the flight attendant. We were going back to Lansing. Apparently the landing gear had stuck in place, rather than pulling up. We weren't gaining enough altitude either, judging from other observations. But we landed safely, much to my relief. We all sighed and initially hoped we'd make our connections, but it was looking bleak. After deplaning, our flight was canceled shortly thereafter and we all went to the United counter to be rebooked.

I had gotten normadesmond's cell phone just to text and keep in contact. Remembering they were still at the hotel and staying over, I called her. At that point, I was remembering my Chicago experience and fearing the worst. If all else failed, I could have crashed with them in their hotel room until I had to catch my flight.

I almost felt sorry for those poor girls at the United counter who clearly received the short straw to work the holiday. They were overwhelmed and trying their best to accommodate people, checking in both their regular flights and dealing with the canceled flight. I didn't hear as many complaints as from the Chicago line. There were people storming off and sulking after that disaster. This time they appeared to be finding them connections elsewhere. The other airlines were all quiet. TSA even looked bored at their location.

Finally I was in front of the counter and ironically I was presented with exactly the same route I usually take to MediaWest every year through Detroit, getting in late tonight at National. But I was still getting in Monday night, which was all right by me. They'd found my checked bag. I didn't have to go through that insanity twice. So I went over to the Northwest counter to get checked in. Alas cooperation between the airlines wasn't exactly working that well. Their computers weren't terribly compatible. Northwest was getting irritated with the United girls for sending over customers with vouchers only to discover they weren't actually booked in the system. That prompted more grousing and waiting and typing and questions, but finally I was checked into my flight.

Miracle of miracles, nothing went wrong. The Lansing flight made it to the glorious expanse of Detroit airport and I found my connection to DC. An hour later, I was home safe and sound, a little stressed out but none the worse for wear. It's been quite a con this year. Certainly a memorable one, but I wish it was for different reasons. I'll definitely think twice before flying United. And probably poll the MediaWest attending friends to see what we can coordinate, because there has to be a better way to manage this. I hope Margaret and Spensser and isamom made it home okay.

Comments

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

I just read through your days and it sounds like you had a crazy flying weekend! Wow!

The con itself sounded fun - and that's great you were able to hook up with those other girls to get to the hotel.

[hildy.livejournal.com]

Oh, the con itself was a blast as usual. There's something for everyone there. The travel might not have been so bad, if United had had its act together. They assume travelers are going to know what questions to ask, rather than giving them all the information they need. None of us knew there might be problems with the return flight until we were trying to check in Monday. *sighs* At least got there and back in one piece.