topic Re: Travel Nightmare in Travel

Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 04:58:35 GMT

DS was home for part of our family vacation, and is now returning to where he lives.

As I write this, he is supposed to be sleeping before returning to work in the morning.

He is flying American.

His flight from our airport was delayed over an hour. They sat at the gate, but of course couldn't leave the plane.

He had a connecting flight in Charlotte. He allowed himself a little over an hour so there wouldn't be a problem. We were concerned he would be cutting it close, but when he called he said it didn't matter because that flight was also delayed.

He would have 3 hours, plenty of time to get something to eat. Well, it turned out that every eating place there closes at 10. There are no vending machines for food or water or other drinks.

Now his plane has been delayed again for the second time. He said everyone groaned when they made the announcement. He will arrive at his home airport around 3:30 a.m. and to his apartment after 4:30, if he doesn't have to wait long for an Uber.

He is tired and hungry.

This is the second time he's gone through something like this. The first time was on his 19th birthday, when he spent the night in the D.C. airport when his first plane was delayed and he missed his connecting flight home. The airline got him on another flight leaving early the next morning. He was by himself then. The airport emptied out. He didn't see anyone else until around 5 a.m.

I stayed on the phone with him then because he couldn't sleep. He was worried about his laptop, thinking he would fall asleep and someone might "borrow" it, even though there was no one around.

Thank you for listening to me. Why can't airports keep one or two places to get something to eat open 24 hours?

It's probably a problem with staffing, but it seems it could happen somehow!

Re: Travel Nightmare

haddon9 — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:12:27 GMT

I can't understand why they don't have either a 24 hour shop or some vending machines with food (not just candy or chips) either! The airport can be a bit creepy late at night when no one is around.

Many years ago I went to pick up my son from an international flight late at night and we had to walk what felt like a mile through a maze to get to the overseas terminal. No one was around until we actually arrived at the terminal. I didn't see any terminal employees. I would prefer not to have to do that again!

I've had my share of unpleasant flying experiences when my flights were delayed or cancelled. I try my very best to avoid connecting flights and for many years I have been fortunate to fly direct.

I hope your son arrives home asap safely. Hope he finds something to eat and can get caught up with his sleep.

Re: Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:27:50 GMT

Thanks @haddon9! I always try to fly nonstop too. Years ago the airline lost one of our bags after our flight home. There's nothing like standing at the carousel, seeing all the other bags come out, then going to the airline's baggage claims office, which might be locked, and waiting to talk to someone!

About 3-4 days later our doorbell rang. It was around 11 p.m! DH was sleeping, but I was still downstairs. They're lucky I looked out! On our front porch standing with our large suitcase was a rep from the airline. I opened the door and he apologized for the delay getting our bag to us. I thanked him for finding it.

Since then I have done everything I can to get a nonstop flight! It doesn't always work though!

Re: Travel Nightmare

phoenixbrd — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:18:24 GMT

@beach-mom Our Transportation system is a major mess. Currently, lots of people experiencing major challenges with delays, over booking, and compensating for the pilot layoffs. I'm glad that you were able to share your vacation and that your son will be home soon.

Re: Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:37:46 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
@beach-mom Our Transportation system is a major mess. Currently, lots of people experiencing major challenges with delays. I'm glad that you were able to share your vacation and that your son will be home soon.

Thanks @phoenixbrd. He wasn't able to come for the whole time because of work. His flight home was also delayed because of bad weather.

There's never enough time when he does get home. When we pulled in the driveway after getting home from the airport today I already missed him!

Re: Travel Nightmare

haddon9 — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:47:16 GMT

@beach-mom Losing luggage is a nightmare!

It happened to DH when we started our river cruise in France. Everyone's bag appeared except for DH's. What a way to start a vacation in a foreign country! It didn't bother him too much (would have mad me very upset!) and our son was on the cruise with us so he gave DH a change of clothes.

Fortunately the bag showed up the next day when we were in a port.

Better to have that happen after the trip than in the beginning if it happens at all.

Glad to hear your bag was found & delivered to your home.

Re: Travel Nightmare

Angeldrawers — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:53:06 GMT

At first I thought you were talking about a 7 year old then I see he's an adult. Live and let live. It's a crazy world we live in Mama.

Re: Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:56:27 GMT

@haddon9 - I would panic if that happened to me in Europe! Your DH was lucky your son could help him out with clothes. Yes, at least it happened to us after we were home. But I did wonder if we'd ever see any of our clothes again, and some of DD's cute baby outfits.

Re: Travel Nightmare

Angeldrawers — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:58:39 GMT

Unfortunately my daughter is deceased now but in 2007 my husband just ruined part of her destination wedding whining about his delayed luggage. Watch a downer. When we came home I gifted him a carryon and said I'll never travel with you again without this. Lol

Re: Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 06:05:01 GMT

@Angeldrawers wrote:
At first I thought you were talking about a 7 year old then I see he's an adult. Live and let live. It's a crazy world we live in Mama.

@Angeldrawers - You're so right!

He just called and he's finally on the plane. By the time he gets to his apartment he will have about 1-1/2 hours to sleep. He can't call out because of everyone else's vacation schedules!

I told him to try to eat something and get some snacks on the plane. He said all he cares about is sleeping. He plans to do that instead! Can't blame him for that!

Re: Travel Nightmare

beach-mom — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 06:08:13 GMT

@Angeldrawers wrote:
Unfortunately my daughter is deceased now but in 2007 my husband just ruined part of her destination wedding whining about his delayed luggage. Watch a downer. When we came home I gifted him a carryon and said I'll never travel with you again without this. Lol

@Angeldrawers - I'm sorry your daughter passed away. I'll bet she had a lovely wedding and you have those memories when times are hard for you.

Re: Travel Nightmare

kaydee50 — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:36:21 GMT

@beach-mom Sorry about your son's travel problems. However, I don't think it's that uncommon. And one of my primary travel rules is NEVER travel without bringing our own food. DH and I always have a sandwich and snacks with us. I don't do well if I have to go without food for an extended time so no matter how short the flight may be, we ALWAYS have food with us.

Re: Travel Nightmare

Lilysmom1 — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 08:09:09 GMT

@beach-mom , travelling by air is not fun anymore. Even in business class the seats are jammed together. After sitting in crowded airports last year, we are getting to the point where, if we can't drive, we don't go. Add lost luggage, delayed flights and missed connections and it becomes just awful. I used to enjoy trips but getting there and back is so much hassle. And the airlines couldn't care less.

Re: Travel Nightmare

on the bay — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:37:36 GMT

Anytime except maybe once I have had the misfortune of flying American, it has been delayed for one reason or another. Just a week ago my daughter's and family flight on American was delayed for hours-the reason-the crew noticed something not right and concerning and decided to change planes for safety. That was comforting my daughter thought but I've read many major news reports recently that American has had mechanical issues and emergency flights that have had to return or not take off.

If not that, even years ago, they overbook and then try to have people change flights. I think they do this so if someone cancels they still have the money. I don't know.

When I took my mother to NY they actually stopped us and others at the gate and said they didn't have room for us both, plane overbooked, but she could go on a similar flight. No, no way I said and they relented.

American has always been this way.

Plus don't buy their "main cabin" extra room. I thought where is the extra room aside from the feet?! The seats were squished even tighter. The guy nest to me said the same thing. Where is the room? And we paid extra for this. Not first class but up a step from the unfortunates who had the cheapest flights. I can't imagine it could get any tighter between seats though.

As for the airport not having anything open past a certain hour, I thought that was so weird when I got off several times late from a flight. So dark and erie.

How does that make sense? Flights come and go at all hours. They don't sleep after 10pm. That is just awful. Especially for a big airport. I hope they are not all this way but I can't imagine that they are.

Oh I'm sorry. Thanks for letting us all vent fellow travelers. It has changed and it used to be exciting and fun.

I still love looking at all the clouds when up high on a plane all the while tying not to elbow the poor guy next to me.

Re: Travel Nightmare

ValuSkr — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:08:00 GMT

In the last month, I've heard a couple similar travel nightmare stories in my own family. All I can say is - I'm glad I don't have to travel much any more.

Re: Travel Nightmare

phoenixbrd — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:59:20 GMT

@kaydee50 I agree...we always bring our own food, even for extended car trips. Fruits and nuts for quick snacks and for longer trips I make sandwiches and salads. I often have some home made treats for my husband also. It is an event when we travel, but we stay healthy and enjoy the trip!

Re: Travel Nightmare

LindaSal — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:22:50 GMT

Sadly it is happening with every airline now, you can't single out one. We have flown several different airlines in the past couple of years several times and I will tell you it has become a fr**cking nightmare. Not one of our flights has been on time, therefore missed a couple of connections (direct flights not available) and our luggage was lost on Canadian Air. I'm at the point of stopping traveling, it has become so bad. It's upsetting as DH and I are doing our traveling being retired and thankfully somewhat in good health. Lost time with Covid, seriously rethinking the future of it all......travel industry is a mess.

Re: Travel Nightmare

FancyPhillyshopper — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:31:35 GMT

Gosh, I have been traveling internationally by myself since I was a teenager.

In those days cell phones did not exist, so I could not call and complain to my mother.

People were on their own, and had to learn to be reliant.

In fact, the only phones available would be pay phones in the foreign country, and you would have to drop coins of that currency into that slot.

Of course, all my travel experience has taught me a lot: avoid connections as much as possible, always have some food with me, build in one or two days buffer in each direction before and after a trip.

We just returned on a flight on American from Athens, Greece, and all went fine, even though there were wildfires affecting the country. I never blame any individual airline--travel is always an adventure.

I have had to travel all night frequently, and then go to work or do something the next day. Your son is a man, not a boy, and he will be fine.

I can't wait for my next flight to go somewhere exciting in the world!

Re: Travel Nightmare

cindyNC — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:56:13 GMT

Travel has become a nightmare. Of course the restaurants will not stay open past their usual time "in case" of delay..........it's $$$$

Re: Travel Nightmare

DSD2 — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:45:35 GMT

@Angeldrawers wrote:
Unfortunately my daughter is deceased now but in 2007 my husband just ruined part of her destination wedding whining about his delayed luggage. Watch a downer. When we came home I gifted him a carryon and said I'll never travel with you again without this. Lol

@Angeldrawers I'm very sorry about the loss of your daughter. God bless you.