Another Standby Nightmare...
It’s time to get off the ship and meet Jeremy. The plan? Jeremy takes the cruise luggage while we race to the airport to catch a flight… after not having internet for days, I wasn’t sure what the loads would look like. Do the photos above look like an airport? An airplane? Amsterdam? Spain? No… no… no… why? because the relentless weather had airlines rerouting flights to sunny Texas! Add to that, spring break… Seats filled up… Not one to give up EVER, we realized there was no way we would be getting on a flight, back to the house we went… and out to dinner. Time to formulate a new plan.
Over dinner, we came up with a “Plan C” to replace “Plan B”. Our friends had points on Southwest Airlines so they booked seats to LGA. After checking everything possible route, JFK was the only airport we had a shot at “First Class”. For the two of us, we had to figure a way out of Houston… no easy task. Awake all night obsessing, I finally found if we went to Nashville, we could catch a flight to LGA. Once there, we could jump in a taxi to JFK. Sounds simple enough…
Originally, Oklahoma City looked to be our best escape, but those flights filled up. It turns out, it would have been better if we’d been stuck in OKC because I got word that my ex-Mother-in-Law had passed quietly surrounded by family around midnight. Ugh… what a beautiful lady.
Our seats were assigned in coach, leaving the exit rows available. Hubby went and asked if it was possible to move to the roomier exits… our gate agent was happy to accommodate. Whew… we experienced a slight delay but not enough to affect anything. We had a great Uber driver between New York airports. Despite the rainy weather, he made good time. This allowed me to work on a plan while our friends were making their way to New York.
Already missing the first night of our reservation, we contacted the host to let her know of our travel saga. Gemma was very kind and helpful with our situation.
Though we could get to almost any city (except Barcelona), our goal became First Class seats. There were just enough for us if we went to Amsterdam (which was our initial plan on day one). Having already lost the tickets for the planned date, we went about ordering more tickets that would get us from Amsterdam to Barcelona (again). Being last minute meant they were more pricey than the first time around but I found a couple decent prices. There was one ticket left at a very cheap price so I booked it for Barry. When I went back to book me in the seat next to him, I couldn't find the exact same itinerary. It just didn't show up... at any price.
The next best thing, was a flight that went through Zurich, Switzerland. Though I've visited Geneva with my youngest son, I've never been to Zurich. Technically, I still haven't... but I bought an ornament and made the decision to return. From the view out the window, it seems a great place to visit!
Back to the “over the pond” flight. As tickets were issued, one First Class Seat disappeared. That meant only three of the four would get to sit up front. Robby offered to take the coach seat. Given the option, he took a middle in Comfort Plus instead of an aisle in regular coach. With his knee swollen, I wasn't going to allow him to sit in a squishy seat for 7 hours... I said I would take his seat.
This is where things went south for a bit. A KLM flight to Amsterdam was leaving out of the same gate about an hour and a half earlier. They ended up being delayed pushing back. We were told our aircraft was sitting just outside the gate waiting for it to open up. Tickets for standbys were being cleared. The gate agent got on her microphone again and … we thought she was going to tell us boarding would begin. Instead, she informed us of a gate change. From B22 to B35. Quite a jog away...
The whole process started over. We boarded with our assigned seats and I went back to take Robby’s seat. He was squished in a middle seat…after he went to my seat, another passenger came to tell me I was in HIS seat. Robby had settled down in coach instead of two rows up in economy plus. Not first class but a little bit better.
After boarding all of the passengers, our Captain came on the speaker to announce that due to the gate change and delay, we would have to wait for a couple of items to be stocked on board... clean water and a couple other things. A few minutes later, a mechanical situation arose. From the sounds of it, this wouldn't be a big deal. With no drinks or snacks, the wait dragged on and on. After about FOUR HOURS, the Flight Attendant announced that any passengers wishing to leave the plane could do so, but without compensation. The passengers would be listed on a flight for the next day. A few took advantage of trying again the next day considering it seemed that this flight would cancel.
As luck (blessings) would have it, the guy sitting next to my husband decided to leave because he had no chance of making his connection to Australia. Barry immediately asked the Flight Attendant if I could move up to the seat since I (Robby) was next on the list. After four and a half hours, my aching body went up to a new seat. The passengers in First Class were not happy. They had not received even close to the normal service expected. Nothing to eat or drink there either... I thought it was just in coach! The man in front of me said the bathrooms were completely “soiled”. What a disaster!
Not too long after moving up front, the Captain notified us it was time to depart. Grabbing my down comforter and down pillow, I was ready for a movie, dinner and a good sleep! Now we had to pray the long delay would not affect our newly purchased tickets from Amsterdam to Barcelona!
Well… we made it. My flight to Zurich was delayed, which made me a little stressed… until I found out my plane was the same one going to Barcelona. Upon boarding, all bags were gate checked because the bins were filled up. I had paid extra for a cabin bag but was told, “if they are full, they are full”. Ummm… okay… When we reached Zurich, I figured it would be easy to just walk off the plane, and walk back on. Not so… European airports have distinct arrival and departure areas. Off the plane, it was a VERY long hall… through a lobby area… up two escalators… down another long hall… running all the way! Whew! Made it to the second flight…
Landing in Barcelona was beautiful… just at sunset. The entire way, I had kept in close communication with our AirBnB host. It wasn’t a problem that we were late (a day and extra hours). The plan was to meet Barry in baggage and jump on the Aerobus to Placa Catalunya… or so we thought…
As planned, I met Barry in baggage… not as planned, the baggage didn’t show up! Knowing we had to meet the host before it got too late, Barry stayed and filed a report for missing luggage while I worked my way to our flat.
So, after meeting with the host… I waited until Barry said he was arriving. We walked to our flat together. At about 1am, we ventured back outside to meet our friends who finally arrived on the Aerobus (very convenient and affordable transportation from the airport). We missed two days of our trip… I had no luggage… meaning no change of clothes! The plan to have a rest day before touring was set aside because we had booked two things.
Fun is fun but this… isn’t. I need my clothes!
