I think these are pretty accurate weekend totals for the amount of time I spent in airports and on planes.....this weekend.
Saturday-
4 hours on a plane
3 hours in the airport
and then back home when they closed the airport. I could have just about gotten to Europe in that amount of time. I am just trying to get to Vegas.
Sunday-
I am on hour 4 in the Salt Lake City airport. We have a plane, but don't have pilots to fly it.
Plus.....
4 hours on two different flights
7 hours in two airports - Minneapolis and St. Louis
It has been a very long day. Lesson learned.
Lesson = consult crystal ball before booking travel, especially during the winter months.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Salt Lake City
It has been 8 years since I've been here. I had forgotten how beautiful this part of the country is. I had a window seat and took it all in.
The lake
The snow-covered mountains
And...the reflection of the mountains in the lake.
I love water and I really enjoy the beauty and wonder of mountains. This city has the perfect combination of both.
I won't be leaving the airport, but felt compelled to comment on the beauty of my surroundings.
The lake
The snow-covered mountains
And...the reflection of the mountains in the lake.
I love water and I really enjoy the beauty and wonder of mountains. This city has the perfect combination of both.
I won't be leaving the airport, but felt compelled to comment on the beauty of my surroundings.
On-time flights
So far...only one of my flights has left on time. Unfortunately, it was the one I missed because my previous flight was delayed. I am feeling very confident that I will make it to Las Vegas tonight. Only 24 hours later than when I should have arrived.
Third plane
I am on my third plane in two days and still haven't left Minnesota yet. I am now back on a direct flight to St Louis instead of going through Detroit or Atlanta first. I wouldn't have minded going to Atlanta if my flight could have made it out at 7:20 am. De-icing the plane apparently caused it to lose a circuit. Then we had trouble getting to a gate so the mechanics could board to fix the issue.
I got a first class upgrade and while I rarely drink, especially this early, I am taking advantage of the free alcohol. Cheers! Still hoping to get to Vegas.
I got a first class upgrade and while I rarely drink, especially this early, I am taking advantage of the free alcohol. Cheers! Still hoping to get to Vegas.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
No mileage run
I still may not make it to Vegas today, but now I have a direct flight. I am missing out on lots of miles, but my headache and stomache are gone.
Again, I applaud the hundreds of people who are working outside at the Minneapolis airport in a blizzard.
Again, I applaud the hundreds of people who are working outside at the Minneapolis airport in a blizzard.
Mileage run
Today will likely be my first and only mileage run. A mileage run is flying just to get miles; typically to make or keep elite status with an airline.
Yes, I live in Minnesota.
Yes, I know it snows in Minnesota in December.
Yes, I knew the risks.
I booked this trip a month ago and was very optimistic that I could avoid delays at all four airports I was scheduled to be at.
Yesterday it became five airports when my first flight was canceled.
I think the snow fall total was seven inches when I left for the airport. Worried. But still a bit optimistic.
My initial flight plan was Minneapolis to St Louis to Atlanta to Vegas. It wasn't just a mileage run. I just chose to take the long way to Vegas. It was supposed to net me nearly 10,000 miles.
Probably a foot of snow now.
All Minneapolis to St Louis flights were canceled. I was forced to add another leg to my trip and decided on Detroit because the storm was supposed to miss them. I was sure that I was going to be fine if I could get out of Minneapolis.
Three hours later I am still on the tarmac in MSP. The first problem was the right engine wouldn't start after de-icing. We were towed back to the gate for a jump. About ten people gave up and de-planed.
After an hour or so at the gate with the poor mechanics working very hard both engines started. We then went to the de-icing pad to de-ice the rest of the plane and the left engine died. They were finally able to re-start it.
Kudos to all of those people who are working outside in a blizzard to get our plane going. Applause!
The flight attendants say NOT leaving is not an option because this plane is needed somewhere else. I am comforted by her calmness.
My flight from Detroit should have departed ten minutes ago. I am still in MSP.
Update - runway is closed for snow removal. De-icing has stopped.
I'm sure I will get to Vegas eventually. Hopefully the nice folks in Detroit can get me to Vegas from there. I am over trying to get 10,000 miles.
Yes, I live in Minnesota.
Yes, I know it snows in Minnesota in December.
Yes, I knew the risks.
I booked this trip a month ago and was very optimistic that I could avoid delays at all four airports I was scheduled to be at.
Yesterday it became five airports when my first flight was canceled.
I think the snow fall total was seven inches when I left for the airport. Worried. But still a bit optimistic.
My initial flight plan was Minneapolis to St Louis to Atlanta to Vegas. It wasn't just a mileage run. I just chose to take the long way to Vegas. It was supposed to net me nearly 10,000 miles.
Probably a foot of snow now.
All Minneapolis to St Louis flights were canceled. I was forced to add another leg to my trip and decided on Detroit because the storm was supposed to miss them. I was sure that I was going to be fine if I could get out of Minneapolis.
Three hours later I am still on the tarmac in MSP. The first problem was the right engine wouldn't start after de-icing. We were towed back to the gate for a jump. About ten people gave up and de-planed.
After an hour or so at the gate with the poor mechanics working very hard both engines started. We then went to the de-icing pad to de-ice the rest of the plane and the left engine died. They were finally able to re-start it.
Kudos to all of those people who are working outside in a blizzard to get our plane going. Applause!
The flight attendants say NOT leaving is not an option because this plane is needed somewhere else. I am comforted by her calmness.
My flight from Detroit should have departed ten minutes ago. I am still in MSP.
Update - runway is closed for snow removal. De-icing has stopped.
I'm sure I will get to Vegas eventually. Hopefully the nice folks in Detroit can get me to Vegas from there. I am over trying to get 10,000 miles.
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