England – getting there was *not* half the fun.

Flight was from Cleveland to Minneapolis to Heathrow. Cleveland to Minneapolis, no problem. Minneapolis to Heathrow…

We were supposed to leave Minneapolis at 5:20PM, and arrive at 7:05 AM. The weather was bad on the 3rd but it had cleared up by Wednesday.

Then we weren’t going at all. The second co-pilot had to turn back on his flight, so we were short a crew member.

But wait! You only need three if the flight is over eight hours! They were frantically making calls to Atlanta, and finally got permission to go. We boarded around 10PM. It was snowy and icy, so they towed us out to be de-iced.

And the towbar broke. And they’re rushing around to get a replacement. And they find one. I am sitting wondering if the FAA rules are eight hours in flight, or eight hours in the plane.

A half hour later, I find out. It’s eight hours in the plane. They taxi back, unload us all, and we go find hotel rooms.

In Delta’s defense – and as opposed to Southwest – they paid for the hotel, paid for food, and then gave us a $1,750 voucher. My next vacation flight is free! I have to use it this year, so I’m looking now.

So got to England, and there was a train strike. Because of course. Trains were leaving, but they were sporadic and full. I made a decision. I took a taxi.

This is the exact equivalent (well, 30 miles closer) of taking a taxi from Pittsburgh to Washington. And cost $500. But at that point I was heavily into ‘screw it; I just want to get started!’ mode. It was worth every penny. I slept in the back for the four hours it took to get there.

And on the way back. Got into JFK at 7:30PM for a 8:59 flight. From there it’s a two hour flight to Cleveland – piece of cake. Except, of course, for the thunderstorms over Boston, which delayed all flights. OK, taxied out at 10:30.

‘Um, this is your pilot speaking. Due to the weather issues, there’s a backup for takeoff. We are number 25 out of 25’.

Got back to Hopkins around 1AM and went out to the shuttle bus to parking. I’ve been parking at Park Place in Cleveland since the days it had Monopoly names for the rows.  Asked for F54 and the driver gave me this… look. I was on the wrong bus. There’s Park Place, and there’s Park ‘N Fly. I was on the Park ‘N Fly shuttle. I was majorly screwed.

He drove me over to the Park Place.  The lovely lady in the booth let me stay inside until the bus picked me up.  The driver dropped me off and stayed until he was sure my car started.

My faith in humanity was restored by parking lot attendants and drivers.  

Got home a little after 3AM.

The only saving grace is that Delta made good with the voucher, and thanks to my AmEx card I had lounge privileges everywhere. I estimate I spent 12 hours sitting in lounges this flight.

And the more I read this – the more I think that this is what my family calls a ‘first world problem’. Oh, no! I’m flying first class; it was delayed by 24 hours; they paid for my hotel and meals. And then gave me a voucher for $1,750. I ate and drank at their lounge for free for two days, and then I had to spend 0.003% of my retirement fund to get to where I wanted. Whatever shall I do?? I guess I’ll get over this… eventually. Life is rough.