STAR CROSSED TRAVELER

  It seems, of late, that every time I get on a plane, something inevitably goes wrong. It makes boarding a plane a bit of a nervous act as I am never sure what is awaiting. The last big mess was a dumping at Detroit airport literally in the middle of the night, an abdication of all responsibility towards the passengers by the airline and a wondering of "what the heck do we do now?"

Well, that had a happy ending, thanks to a daughter's good friend who kindly picked us up in that same middle of the night and graciously hosted us until another daughter drove four hours from Chicago to get us. No more planes for me that trip! The rest of the trip - the return voyage, was basically okay until we were told by the pilot that we had no fuel! Minor issue, yes?

Fast forward to yesterday. Flight to Pittsburgh broken by short layover in Atlanta. Even the wheelchair was there. Surprise! Small hitch - they put us in separate rows! Problem fixed. Yay! There is hope yet. Smooth flight to Pittsburgh and down to the carousel and wait. And wait. And wait. Until the carousel shuts down. And there we were, two pieces missing. No clothes to wear. No books to read. No suitcases. Star crossed again.

Trudge to the Delta office and now I understood why the head flight attendant had come over at the end of flight to ask who we were and to profusely thank us for flying Delta. Ooooookay, as we looked at each other in confusion. Ooooookay, we now understood as the agent told us that our luggage had been misplaced and then made its way onto the next flight to Pittsburgh due in after another two hour wait!!!!!!!! Steam began to noticeably emanate from my ears. Wisps were generated from my head. Explain, I told the agent. How the hell!!! And alongside were the others whose luggage was in that same container. Explain.

Told we could either wait there or wait at home, possibly for delivery that nite or then again, maybe not, we chose to wait. And wait. And wait. How could I trust them - they did not even have our number correct so who the hell would they have called? Finally, the plane landed, the luggage carousel began to spit out the luggage and there were my two missing suitcases. Yay!!!! On the way to the kids.

So far, a great trip. Made a special dish for the kids with the able assistance of my 15 year old grandson and all the aggravation was worth it. But wait.....what awaits us on Thursday when we fly back to Florida. The suspense.........

In any case, just wanted to tell you that there will be no blog for the next two days due to holiday. Please take the time to catch up on blogs you missed. See you on Thursday.