Travel

[Sooner]

Ten years ago hubby sat on a plane on the tarmac in DC for four hours.  Pilot said they were going back for fuel, then said nope they are taking off for Chicago!  Arrived there hours late, and hubby had to run run to get the last seat on the last plane out to his home airport!

I think it's worse now, but sure not new to those who travel for a living.  Pack a lunch and take a carryon is all the advice I have -- and have something to entertain or better yet learn from while you wait. 

[beach-mom]

Thanks for your comments everyone, and I enjoyed hearing your stories! I know he's an adult, but I still am concerned! You helped me through an anxious time. 

DS finally got to his apartment at 5:20 a.m. his time. He was supposed to get in at  11:30 p.m. His last plane was delayed 3 times. He said he slept on the plane for a few hours and slept about an hour when he got home before going to work. I texted him earlier to see how he was doing, and he called back a while ago. 

He's heading to the movies with some of his work friends. No taking a nap! Oh to be in my early 20's again and have energy!  

[ByrdieK]

I flew to Greece last month and experienced almost every travel snafu imaginable going over and back except for lost luggage. It was truly exhausting and has taken me a while to recover. I flew American and would never chose to fly them again. Lack of communication, poor customer service, and dirty airplanes. Weather delays, canceled flights, too tight seats (had paid for upgrade but due to cancelled flights didn't get one), and a disgruntled passenger that was arrested and taken off the plane (causing two 1/2 hour flight delay). And the dirtiest, nastiest airport I've ever encountered in Philadelphia on the way home. But, I was prepared with snacks/food, extra clothes in my carryon, and an extra buffer day of travel on the way over. And an abundance of patience which was sorely tested in the Philly airport. The beauty of the Greek islands and being with friends when I arrived made up for the inconveniences. 

[PickyPicky3]

@ByrdieK    PHL is not the most up-to-date airport and often has long lines, but dirty and nasty are not adjectives I frequently hear. 

What happened?

[ByrdieK]

There were fans blowing foot long strings of dust in the security lines, and the bathrooms in the main terminal were filthy. And the personnel in security were very "testy." It took over an hour and a half

to get thru the security line with people going under the cordon and breaking in-line because they had a connecting flight. So did we, but they still butted in line. Our flight was delayed otherwise we would have missed our connection that we had two hours to make! It was just chaos all around. You could tell they were understaffed, but it was just overall a very unpleasant experience. I would never fly thru there again if possible. I've flown through many airports, both domestic and international, and never had so many bad experiences in one airport. The fans were so dirty it was scary how many germs they were blowing in your face. 😱

[haddon9]

I despise the airport in Philadelphia. I have found security 

and TSA are rude with a nasty attitude! Unfortunately it's my home international airport. Trenton/Mercer is closer but only has one (or two) airlines with very limited service.

[spumoni99]

I think the airlines are having issues finding pilots.  My daughter is a pilot and while they are paid well they are also not paid for any non flying time, neither is the flight crew.  So if they are delayed four hours the crew is not paid for that time. Seems crazy to me but that is the way it is.

Funny story she understood when a grown man gave her chauvinistic remarks about being a captain but a little girl ran right past her into the cockpit looking for the captain and it just so happen that day the first officer was also female, even a 5 year old has that preconceived notion that a captain must be male. Her mom did correct her but just thought that was interesting.

[RetRN]

So glad I traveled when I was young and it was fun. Flight attendants and pilots were respected, nice meals were served, flights were on time, and luggage got delivered quickly when lost. There were no safety issues with crazy behavior by passengers that I was ever aware of. Whoever is in charge isn't doing his job. 

[Lucky Charm]

---

@on the bay wrote:

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.

---

We fly American and get the exit seats, it's just 2 seats by themselves.  You could literally circle completely around the 2 seats.  They aren't up right up against the window and that's fine by me.  They're roomier than 1st Class, which is a wa$te on me.  I only eat plant based and organic--so, no thanks to what they offer.  I have always brought my own food.  Delicious food!

Never had a problem with American.

[ByrdieK]

Glad I'm not the only one that felt that way about the Philly airport. The TSA agents were very unprofessional and rude. 

We had delays  going and coming from Greece. Weather delays are unavoidable and understandable. But communication from airport staff would ease tempers so much!  

I am flying to Paris next month. Fingers crossed it is an easier trip, but just in case I have an extra day tacked on to the front end of the trip. I doubt I will fly again after this trip for a while. Making up for cancelled trips during Covid.