As Promised, The Updates......

Disclaimer: I apologize if I seem a little cynical tonight. But its my blog...

We shall see how far I get on these updates. So much to write about.....

After my dinner of French Cut Green Beans (yum) and a Bud Light (eek) Lime (double eek), I am finally unwound from a tough day and ready to write about my trip to Sloopy's state.

1. Do Not Fly Delta

Unfortunately for Delta, they have joined the ranks of other airlines such as Lufthansa and United. Delta is number three on my Do Not Fly List.

Sorry Delta loyalists and frequent flyers. I'm unimpressed. Maybe its a sign of the times, or maybe its Atlanta's Too Big To Make Any Connection Regardless of Arrival Time or Carrier airport, but I did not have pleasant travels. There or back. I am sure there are a multitude of reasons, such as...well, I can't think of anything good they could maybe come up with. Therefore I place the blame on my carrier.

It all started when I boarded the plane Friday. Rather, when I arrived at the gate for a 2:00 pm take off and the plane didn't arrive until 2:05. Needless to say, there was a "ground delay." Okay, whatever. I guess it happens. But if you'd been on time this ground delay wouldn't be happening! For reasons unknown and unexplained to me, they allowed us to board the plane and sit at the gate until the ground traffic cleared. This was done in attempt to "save fuel." And I've got the worlds chattiest neighbor (wait until #2).

We take off at close to 4 pm.....seriously. After sitting on the plane with Mr. Sweaty Close Talker I Just Told A Funny Joke So I'll Nudge You AGAIN To Make Sure You're Still Listening. Which of course I was because he was leaning half way into my seat. Yes, for the entire flight. Anyway, we finally take off at roughly 3:40 for a 39 minute flight which does not include pulling up to the gate and deboarding. And....my flight for OH leaves ATL at 4:11. Did I make it? What do you think?

But it wasn't for a lack of trying on my part. I ran my little heart out only to be told "We've already cleared that plane." Never mind that it's sitting at the GATE STILL! But, I collected myself and did the only thing I could. I headed to the nearest bar. Well, after I got switched to a later flight. 3 hours later to be precise.

And since I can't get a head of myself (see #s 4, 5, 6, and 7) I will jump to the second round of flights. I board the plane after hanging out with my new BFFs at the bar, and, guess what? We can't take off. They have to call in a maintenance crew to repair a broken navigation light on the left wing. For those of you who've been following for a while (and for those of you that haven't, this is a little background info) flashback to my Italy trip of March 2008. We sat for 2 hours in Munich, Germany while the oh-so-friendly Lufthansa crew worked on the emergency slide located in the back of the plane. I was ready then to sign a waiver stating that I was aware of the risks of flying without a slide in case of an emergency water landing (just get me out of this country!!!!), and I was ready this night to sign a waiver and fly blind to OH (just get me out of Atlanta!!). But FAA regulations won out and we had to deboard the plane.

Seriously, at this point I buried my head in my purse and made my 5000th phone call for the day (#s 6 and 7) and called my dad. Boo hoo-ing. Like a four year old. I was convinced I wasn't going to make it to OH for the wedding, which was at 1:30 the following afternoon. Just as my dad was about to rent me a car to drive home (I love my Dad) we were able to board another plane and take off. So, 10 hours later, I landed in Akron-Canton. 5 hours behind schedule. I should have driven.

Next time, I'm flying US Air. My fav. And guess what? Sunday, when I was leaving OH, I sat at my Delta gate (gate 5) waiting to board my 12:20 flight which was of course DELAYED. Until 12:45. Not a big delay, but a delay nonetheless. And I watched all those little US Air passengers board their on-time flight to CHARLOTTE and take off. You got it. They were gate 4. It cut me deep, real deep. I felt so betrayed.

More later. Looks like my trip to the Buckeye State will take up multiple posts.....