Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Fun Flight

I feel like I have blogged a lot about my travels in and out of Birmingham. Maybe it's because I am always stuck there (or trying to get there) due to a thunderstorm or other random delays with time to kill. Anyways I have another exciting story that involves the "fun" trip down. Maybe I'll have another one later tonight when I try to return to Chicago.

This was my text to my husband yesterday: Stuck on the plane where the air conditioning isn't working until we actually take off. Delayed for over an hour on the tarmac. Surrounded by stinky people who don't wear deodorant. My job sucks.

Flights get delayed, it stinks but it happens. Unfortunately this is a weekly occurrence in my work life. Normally I can occupy myself with little discomfort and complaint. Monday night that was not the case. The plane's above head fans were not working so upon immediately stepping onto the plane that had been sitting on the toasty tarmac for awhile I was greeted with a blast of hot, sticky air. I figured I could deal since take-off would happen in the next 20 minutes or so. Not so much. We sat there waiting for the pilot to get alternative airport landing approval since there were storms in Birmingham. Then we waited some more to get extra fuel because the aforementioned storms would slow us down. Then we finally backed up to drive around the airport and... park... behind 8 other planes as ORD had closed the runway we needed. All the while I proceeded to sweat through my t-shirt and jeans and try not to inhale too deeply thanks to the funk happening. I still will never understand why people do not wear deodorant. Really!?! Thankfully the flight attendant was nice (as she was in the same predicament as us) and did her best to provide coolish water and the promise of relief once we took off. After 1 1/2 hours we were on our way. It never really cooled off but at least became bearable (and breathable) once again. It was gross... plus I can sweat with the best of the them which made it more uncomfortable. Oh and I failed to mention a couple who spoke little English kicked me out of my seat (the husband just sat in my spot with all my stuff there and wouldn't move and pointing to where I should sit. Luckily I ended up next to a very nice lady.

Since I was already gross I decided to get some cross-training done as soon as I got to the hotel. It all worked out I guess. Hopefully the way back is sweat and stink free!

12 comments:

Mark said...

Delays stink! Very enjoyable post, glad you made the best of it.

X-Country2 said...

Wow. Days like that, they don't pay you nearly enough. :o)

J said...

Sounds super stinky! Glad you got home safe though!

Anonymous said...

You do get delayed a lot! Bet you can't wait to be home.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

delays are hard, but already being on the plane is worse! hope your return is better :)

Marlene said...

Ugh, I could never travel for work. I hate flying as it is and situations like that would be unbearable!

MCM Mama said...

Bleh! Pre-kids, I didn't mind delays, but now it's living hell. Sounds like yours wasn't so fun, even without kids.

Glad your "reassigned" seat worked out.

Michelle said...

UGH! Your post is smelly!

Ok, bad joke! Sorry you had to go through that.

Glad you made it home safely!

Trophy Wife said...

That is awful! I don't know how you didn't go off on that guy. I woulda made him move and made a scene simply because he didn't ask first!

Chris said...

That's a "GRRRRR" experience. MCM Mama wrote what I was thinking... with kids it's terrible, but it doesn't minimize the exhaustion and frustration those without kids feel. Especially if they're seated near people WITH kids. Even worse!

Good luck on the return trip!

chris mcpeake said...

Trapped on a plane that is delayed is the definition of crappy.

maria khoury said...

i hope you thought about the louis ck video the whole time.