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February 3, 2004
I hate Delta Airlines
This was my day:
5:30 am - John drives me to Kansas City International Airport in snow and sleet so I won't miss my 7:10 am flight to Atlanta.
6:45 am m- best part of day - we actually board the 7:10 am flight.
10:15 am (switch time zones to Eastern). Land in Atlanta.
10:17 am - while exiting gate, I glance at the departure list. My 11:20 am flight has been cancelled.
10:17 1/2 am - gate attendant says, "don't worry, you are automatically booked on the 2:20 pm flight to Columbia, South Carolina. Just go over to Terminal B, Gate 26".
10:45 am (This is Atlanta, after all, it is a long walk from Terminal C, Gate 34 to Terminal B, Gate 26). Gate 26 has never heard of me. "We can book you on
the 3:40 pm flight to Columbia. By the way, what color is your luggage? Oh, and just go to Terminal A, Gate 15".
I decide to use the Ladies Room and grab a bite of lunch.
11:40 am - "Pant, pant" Arrive at Terminal A, Gate 15. They have indeed heard of me there. Flight appears to be on-time. I call client to let them know that I will not be there for scheduled appearance and software install as expected, but 8:30 am on Tuesday morning is all hunky dorey.
2:40 pm - Gate 15 has changed the departure time of 3:50 flight to 4:30 pm.
3:40 pm - the 3:50 flight 4:30 pm flight, will now depart at 5:48 pm. Announcement made that flight had finally left Indianapolis.
4:00 pm - I check with Gate attendant (Gate 15) to be sure it is okay for me to leave the area. I need a drink.
4:15 - go to Chili's and order a large Margarita. Also order junk food (to hell with dieting).
4:50 - Start to return to Gate 15. Glance at Departure board - the 3:50 flight 4:30 pm 5:48 pm flight has suddenly become the 5:10 pm flight.
4:54 pm - with twisted ankle, I appear again at Gate 15. No one is boarding. In fact, there is no plane to be seen. The 3:50 flight 4:30 pm 5:48 pm 5:10 pm flight is now the 5:31 pm flight.
5:17pm Plane appears. We board the plane.
6:05 pm Plane takes off. Plane proceeds to most awful turbulence experienced in years. No drinks.
6:40 pm. Arrive at Columbia, South Carolina airport.
7:00 pm. Realize luggage is nowhere to be found. Stand in line to report loss of luggage.
7:15 pm - Luggage person assures me that my luggage is on the next flight and will be delivered to my hotel in an hour or so. "By the way, what color is your luggage?"
7:45. I arrive at hotel, check in - best part of day - not being the trusting sort, I find a mall, go to Dillards and spend $150 on suitable business attire and underwear. Can't find shoes that fit!
9:00 pm. Mall closes. Return to hotel. Still no luggage.
10:00 pm. Fall asleep. Still no luggage
1:00 am Tuesday morning. Wake up, call front desk. Still no luggage.
1:10 am Call Delta baggage claim. The automatic voice response unit hangs on me. Twice.
1:19 am - get real person at Delta. "What color is your luggage?" Nope, we don't know where it is. No one will know until 9:00 am tomorrow. Where can we reach you?
Sorry, I won't be reachable because the charger for my cell phone is in my red luggage!!!
2:00 am. Attempt to go to sleep.
Posted by Beth at February 3, 2004 12:38 AM
Comments
Darling, the heck with the diet. Order up some massive room service-chocolate should be the key ingredient, and tequila if they have it-and take a breather.
Airlines suck.
Posted by: Helen at February 3, 2004 3:09 AM
OMG you poor thing!! Delta sucks ans so do their salty nuts.. The old joke rings in my head.. DELTA stands for Don't Even Let Them Aboard...
Posted by: cutetxblonde at February 3, 2004 6:49 AM
Oh, you poor thing. Hope your return trip is flawless...
Posted by: pam at February 3, 2004 8:48 AM
1. Hey! I thought the best part of the day was the goodbye kiss!
2. Sounds to me like Delta just bought you a *very* nice dress and some *nice* shoes. Not to mention some nice comfortable and pretty unmentionables. And some make-up. And a spare cell phone charger.
Make 'em pay, dear, make 'em pay!
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at February 3, 2004 9:11 AM
Bless you - I would have cried..
Posted by: Kate at February 3, 2004 8:41 PM
Kate - I did cry, only not until I got to my hotel room.
Posted by: beth at February 4, 2004 7:14 AM
OMG - I think Helen has the right idea - chocolate and alcohol. It's the only thing that makes sense!!!!
Posted by: Teresa at February 4, 2004 8:47 PM