Stuck in Vegas
So, I finished my events and office hours in Los Angeles, CA today and was looking forward to a good night’s sleep in my own bed tonight. After picking up Rob Bagby at the LA office around 5:44 PM, we head to LAX to return the car and catch our flight. My US Airways flight was supposed to depart at 7:55 PM with a stop over in Vegas and then arrive home at 10:50 PM. We got to the airport and through security by about 6:30 PM so we had plenty of time to grab a bite to eat.
At about 7:15 PM, I noticed that there was no plane at the the gate so I questioned the gate attendant who informed me the flight was delayed, but was scheduled to arrive by 8 PM. I thought, not bad, should still be able to get in the air by about 8:45 since this is a CRJ. When 8 PM rolled around and still no plane or update, I really started to get concerned. It wasn’t until about 8:30 that they announced the incoming plane hadn’t taken off until 7:56 PM and should arrive at about 8:55 PM.
The plane arrived and they did a quick turnaround and started boarding by about 9:05 PM. We touched down at 10:15 PM so evidently we made good time in the air. It was supposed to be the same plane heading to Phoenix so I wasn’t planning to get off the plane only to re-board. After everyone but me and Mike Terrill deplaned, the flight attendant informed me that I should be getting off. I told her I was continuing onto Phoenix at which point she informed me the plane was going to Fresno and not Phoenix so I had to get off. WHAT THE HECK?????!!!!???
I get off and am told by the gate agent that I need to go to the ticket counter and someone would help me get rebooked on the first flight out tomorrow morning since the Phoenix flight already departed (on time at 9:24 PM). Once again, WHAT THE HECK!?!?!?!?!?! How did the flight take off on time when the plane was en route and I was riding on it?
Mike and I headed down to the ticket counter and grabbed our ticket for a 6:40 AM flight departing on Wednesday. Luckily I glanced at Mike’s ticket only to notice that they had both of us in the same seat on the 6:40 AM flight. SHEESH! You would think they had plenty of time to get seating assignments done correctly. Would have sucked to arrive in the morning only to find out one of us didn’t have a seat.
We had to grab Mike’s rollerboard at baggage claim and then proceeded to wait for the Hampton Inn (Eastern and Sunset) shuttle to come pick us up. At 10:55 PM, I called over to the Hampton Inn to find out how long before the shuttle would arrive and was told no more than 15 minutes. The shuttle showed up at 11:30 PM (hmmm, that’s a long 15 minutes for a 3 mile drive). After checking in, I got ready for bed and decided to write this “quick” blog post about my horrible experience. At this time, I also noticed that the meal voucher they provided me is only for $5. I think $5 will buy me a cup of coffee at the airport. Once again, I have to say WHAT THE HECK!!?!?!?!?!?!? At least give me $10 so I can actually grab something to eat for breakfast tomorrow morning. Also, I asked the front desk attendant at the Hampton Inn if I could have the shuttle bring me back to the airport at about 5:30 AM and was informed they only go to the airport at the hour on the hour so either I go at 5 AM or 6 AM. OMG!!! Now, I have to wake up an extra 30 minutes earlier and sit at the airport for well over an hour so I can get home by 8 AM when I should have been home already!
Today, I have to say “US Airways, YOU SUCK!!!!!”
Hopefully, I’ll wake up with a clear head tomorrow and will not blow a fuse when I get to the airport at 5:15 AM.
Harold Wong