Last week I had one of those trips that sounded like a joke, but all you can do is relax and wait for the stars to align your way.
So I was flying from Sydney to Fort Lauderdale to visit my grandfather for a few days. This is a route I often take. Simple two flights: Sydney to Dallas and Dallas to Fort Lauderdale.
I am not a short-layover person when I book flights. I like 3 hours minimum layover, in case of any delays. Unfortunately, for some reason, every time I choose the later connection flight when booking with Qantas, the booking process doesn’t work, and I have to choose the one that gives me only 1h 30min. That never makes me comfortable, but it is my only option, otherwise, I can’t book same day flights.
So, as usual, on the day of my trip, I was at Sydney Airport hours before necessary, went through security and got myself to the American Express Lounge, found a corner and did some work. Forty minutes before my flight, I left the lounge so that I could walk a bit before the trip.
Boarding a flight to the USA from Australia they do a pre-boarding check. The process is: you get on the line they recheck your boarding pass and passport, and some people are taken aside for further interviews and bag check.
So when I got to the gate at boarding time, and that process had not started, I was a bit concerned. After 10min the gate, the announcer explained that our plane was on the other side of the landing strip and, due to the weather, that was the only lane working.
We could look out the window and see the poor little A380 trying to cross the road; however, the tower had not given permission.
After an hour or so, we saw the plane doing the crossing and everyone on the gate clapped. But the plane still had to be loaded and fueled, so another hour passed before we were able to board.
The Sydney-Dallas flight typically makesgood time and arrives at 30-50min early, on my experience. That would not be enough for me to make my flight to Fort Lauderdale.
Off course the chat as we got on the plane was everyone worries about their connections. A few hours before landing a flight attended came around informing people about their new flights. I had been booked with Delta on a plane to Atlanta with connection to Fort Lauderdale.
One important thing I learned during the flight. Lots of people had booked their trip on websites like Expedia, Webjet etc. The issue with that is those made separate bookings. So Qantas didn’t have any responsibility for the connections arrangements. So if they had no insurance, they were on their own.
Arriving in Dallas, I got my new boarding pass to Atlanta and had to leave the terminal so I could check-in again with Delta. So, I got out of the terminal, and once I got to the counter, the Delta person advised me that my flight was already late and I would miss my connection to Fort Lauderdale.
I was tired, hungry and upset with Qantas because when I tried to talk to them, they said since that they would only find new arrangements if the Delta flight did not leave from Dallas. So I had to check in on the Delta flight and get go to Atlanta, and there was nothing they could do for me if that flight was scheduled to leave even if it was late. So I checked in, and there I went on the security queue again.
Another lesson I learned from the Delta attendant: during Summer, most of the south of the United Stated gets terrible storms in the afternoon. So, once I missed my 1:30 pm flight by 3 pm the airport in Atlanta and Dallas were closed and my flight 3 nhours late.
With all the delays it meant I would arrive at Atlanta after 11 pm and the next flight available was at 7 am.
So, my first thought was to book a hotel. While waiting in Dallas, I called every hotel near the airport, and they were all full of the people that lost their flight that afternoon.
Finally, my flight left to Atlanta, but once I got there, the airport was almost closed. Delta was kind enough to offer me two meal vouchers. I thought of getting a hotel in town, but most seem reluctant to book and by the time I got there it would be 1 am, and I would have to head back to the airport by 5-6am, so I thought it would not be worth it, then I decided to stay at the airport.
I got into the IHOP Express queue to have some food, and I thought I spent some time here until the lounge was open again. When it was my time to order I was told it would take an hour to serve since they were having problems in the kitchen. I have 6 hours to kill, so I placed my order. Almost 2 hours later, I was still waiting. Finally, my omelette arrived, yep 2 hours to cook some eggs. I was eating when I noticed a homeless person enter the restaurant. Within minutes, the security guards were there to remove him, but they were standing just at my table. When the guard tries to get the man’s arm the man did something and the guard turned him and put him down. He was on a deadlock on top of my food!!! Two hours waiting for an omelette and it was destroyed!!!
I was tired, was not going to wait for another 2 hours for a replacement omelette, so I just got my stuff and left the restaurant.
Going back to the terminal after again another security check, this time, my hand bag was put aside. I had the camera backpack set aside before, but my handbag was a new experience. The security guy asked me if I had anything of danger, and I had to think, mostly because I was so tired that thinking was not a fast thing. Well, ended up that my selfie stick looked like a gun barrel, they all laughed for the confusion but I learned my lesson and next time that gets checked in.
As I went to the gate for my Fort Lauderdale flight, I was called in to talk to attendants. By this time, I was on the WHAT NOW mind frame. But all Delta wanted was to change my seat to their Confort+. I was not going to complain about that, haha.
Finally 46 hours later from leaving Sydney I was in Fort Lauderdale. Well, now I
I’m Mrs Mitchell and in the last few years, I have been blessed to be able to explore and photograph some interesting place. I thought I share my experience and some tips with editing etc.