...is a long time to spend alone in an airport with your thoughts. Thoughts like "Where is the closest water fountain? Are there bathrooms in this prison of Gate 32? Why aren't there sleeping cots for situations like this? How come all the people selling food and entertaining cryptoquote books got to go home? Why is the ceiling a webbed matrix of concrete diamonds? And how long has it been since they cleaned under those waiting room seats?"
Our flight was grounded in Detroit for inclement weather. The lady at the check in counter teased me mercilessly, saying they were putting us on a different flight and would be going out around the same time anyway, and not to worry. Twice she told me this; I double checked before I went through the search and seizure gates, because my best friend lives just minutes from the airport and I could have just had her come back for me. No, no, you're switching planes, no worries.
So in I went, only to sit for the next four hours listening to announcements stating that indeed we would not be leaving until 11:55....12:20...12:35...12:55...1:15...
We were able to start boarding our flight at around 1:15am (KC time), but the storm that had caused all this delay in the first place seemed to have made a phenomenal track SE to KC, and was now pummelling the tarmac with monsoon-like rains. We'd watched the lightning show for an hour or so before the flight arrived, with little more than a slight rumble of thunder as accompaniment. As soon as our plane touched down, though, all bets were off.
After another 30 minutes or so of on-board waiting, we were off. Flying into and through the storm might have been a fun time--the bouncing and jostling something akin to my favourite roller coaster or a good bike ride--had it not been for the fact that we were several thousand feet in the air.
We did land in Phoenix with no further problems at around 2:30am, I think. It's all a bit fuzzy at this point. I had been scheduled to work at 6am today, but luckily had the forethought to call my boss during the 4 hour hiatus. He swapped me with our AGM, so I'm closing tonight which sucks in all kinds of ways, but at least I got some rest. I can be fully alert for the madness of being the only closing manager on my first shift back in nearly two weeks. Hooray!
Anyway, I'm home, and I'm happy, and the dogs are whining for attention, so I'm off to rub some puppy belly. Ciao for now....
1 comment:
I miss you too sweet pea! I just had a lovely evening at the airport too, although mine was in San Fransisco. I got home several hours before you did, but know your pain.
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