The Christmas Airport Debacle of 2008

Okay, so I guess Justin is right about actually sharing the details of my 24-hour trip home to Mississippi. It was quite a story filled with setbacks and mythical creatures and such, after all. Now that I have some distance from the event, it's time to let the healing begin.

So my original flight plan was to leave New York on Northwest Airlines at 4:30pm on Monday. I get to Laguardia airport around 3:30 only to find that my flight has been canceled due to a bird hitting it on its trip in. They give me a number to call to reschedule. However, there are no flights leaving New York until Christmas Day. She asks if I want a flight that day. "Well can you see my return flight date? It's on Christmas Day. I'm supposed to be back then. So unless you're suggesting that I leave and return on the same day, I think you know the answer to that question." I don't like being bitchy to customer service reps, but I was beginning to freak out because I've never missed a Christmas at home.

So at this point, the phone calls start being made. My family is getting into a panic, my sister cries, and the dog was barking. A mess, right? So my boyfriend calls to see if he can help. He's at home, he has a computer, he is ready. In the middle of everyone calling, he gets through and tell me there is a flight leaving in 2 hours... from Newark. I hail a cab and tell him to wait for my dad to call with credit card info. I pass along his number to my dad (this was his first time to EVER speak with a boyfriend of mine, but that's another story). So hoping that the flight is still available, I'm cabbing along to Jersey.

Boyfriend calls back, flight is booked. The cabbie starts trying to talk with me, but I wasn't having it. "Just get me to Newark please. I can't miss this flight." Once again, he's just doing his job, but my friendliness was spent. Now all the family has been updated and I have an hour to breath (but still a little tense because I'm watching the meter go up). I finally get to the airport after giving the cab $130. You gotta do what you gotta do.

I get on the only slightly delayed flight without very much ado. I'm on my way to Atlanta thinking all is well. Little did I know....

Part 2 of the story to follow. I think this is long enough to process for a while. Sorry my flair for the dramatic makes me long winded. Also, I love to play to the Southern homo stereotype.

Until then....