Tonights plan had been fairly straightforward. Go out to Pittsburgh via 2 USAir flights. One to Philadelphia, then on to Pittsburgh.
Flight the first, no problem. Checked in, no lines, through security like champ, some idling before getting on the plane, and off we went. I was a little concerned about our delayed departure, because the overlap in Philadelphia wasn't that much, only about 40 minutes. We landed about 20 minutes late, but I knew the departing gate was only about 100 yards from our arrival gate. No problem.
Well, slight problem.
My departing flight has been delayed 3 times now. The airport monitors stubbornly still say "Departure at 10:45 ON TIME", despite the fact that it is now 11:30, and the gate display says "Departing: 2:13am"
It's quite a full flight, and the gate folks are doing their best, but there's just no plane to put us on, and the plane we want is on it's way from Chicago to Pittsburgh, where it will land, refuel, and fly to Philadelphia to get us. At the moment it's flying between Chicago and Pittsburgh.
I'm taking it in stride. Much as I'd like to be in Pittsburgh and enjoying the company that awaits me there, I have my laptop, wireless, reasonable food via the ABP on the concourse, and a convenient power outlet. I'm considering a long bout of Eve.
Perhaps there'll be more updates as this adventure (?) continues. For now, I'd just like send out a huge thank you to the United States aviation infrastructure. You've taken what should be a wonderous and exciting adventure and turned it into a waiting room.
Update, next day - In the end, the plane left Philadelphia at 2:03am, and arrived in Pittsburgh at 2:55. Total time lounging in Philadelphia: 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Cloned from: Planet Geek!
Category: Life. Don't talk to me about life.
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