More Airport Blues

And no, we weren't stopped by the TSA this time around. The end result, however, would have been just the same if we were detained. Let's hearken back to last Tuesday. I'm finishing last minute packing and shipping and trying to get to Newark Liberty International Airport for my 10:55 A.M. flight to Memphis. A few snags along the way made what was supposed to be an eight-hour journey turn into a thirteen hour trek.

After finally cleaning out my basement abode and shipping boxes off, I raced to the Princeton Dinky Station with bags of luggage to catch the next train out of town. That next train would not arrive until 9:30, leaving me little less than an hour to get to the airport. While sensing possible disaster, I keep my cool and board the train when it arrives and head to Princeton Junction. Going without sleep for 48 hours proved troublesome as I fell asleep on the dinky. The conductor woke me up some five minutes after arriving at Princeton Junction when she noticed that I hadn't disembarked. While running to cross the tracks, the handle on my largest piece of luggage snapped, rendering pulling it even more troublesome than it already had been. I trudged along, and boarded the 10:08 express to EWR with my wounded luggage.

The forty-minute trip seemed to be only twenty minutes because I slept through it. I arrived at the airport at 10:45, leaving me ten minutes to reach the terminal via the airport's air train. Suffice it to say, I didn't make it in time. I reached the Continental check-in desk at 11:00, five minutes after zero-hour. After waiting in line for about fifteen minutes behind a guy whose bitching and moaning would make a beer-league softball player blush, I finally got to talk to a representative.

"Can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, sir. I think I missed my flight."
"What was the departure time?"
"10:55."
"Yeah, you missed it. They took off ten minutes ago."
"Damn! Are there any other flights out of here going to Memphis?"
"Yes. One more at 3:30. What's your ultimate destination?"
"Lafayette, Louisiana."
"Hate to tell you this, but you're screwed, sir."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, you'll be on standby for both flights, but both are overbooked. You'll probably be able to make it to Memphis, but you might be stuck in Memphis. When you get there, you'll need to check with Northwest Airlines since you initially booked with them."

At this point, I could have cared less about how and when I got home, so I took the tickets. "How much are they?" I asked. "$525," the guy behind the counter answered. "But, because you were patient and a nice guy, I'm only going to charge you $25 for the baggage. Would you like to pay with cash or credit?" I let out a gale-force wind with my sigh of relief. I handed over my bags and debit card, and headed towards to the gate.

After another nap, a leg cramp, and reading the latest issue of Rolling Stone, I approach the gate at boarding time. A minor delay occurred when the boarding agents could not find my ticket information in their computers, but they fixed the problem and allowed me on the flight. The flight took off at 3:40 P.M., taking me on the first leg of my journey home.

After arriving in sunny, humid Memphis, I head over to the Northwest Airlines booth. I explain to that person what happened only to have him send me back to Continental Airlines. After relaying my story to the Continental guy, he sent me to baggage claim and then back to Northwest Airlines. I collected my crippled bags and head over to the Northwest check-in counter. The attendants there heard my sob story before checking their computers.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we have no record of your flights."
"I rebooked with Continental, and they told me you'd have to plug me into your system separately."
"No, they screwed up. They should have put you into our computers as well. Do you have your old boarding pass?"
"Here it is."

The Northwest people did the voodoo that they do so well and booked me on standby on the flight to Lafayette. After paying again to check my bags (this time $75), I handed the luggage to the ladies behind the counter and headed back to the gate. After an hour's wait, I was on my way home.

The plane landed at Lafayette Regional Airport at 9:42 P.M. It felt good to be back in the warmth and humidity of my hometown. The rest and relaxation that came along with returning is beyond description. After the stress of moving out, it's much needed.

So what have we learned through all of this? It pays to be nice. Plan your packing and moving several WEEKS in advance (not hours, make sure you catch the right train so you can be on time to catch your flight, and always carry enough money on you or in your bank account to pay for a one-way plane ticket just in case you forget the first two lessons.