The joys of travel - NOT!

[Ritmo]

Well, I must be getting a little older or my patience is being tested. I've been stuck at the Atlanta airport for 7 hrs waiting to leave for San Jose (CA). No, not a vacation. I have an early meeting in the morning and will likely get to my destination around 2 am.

Yes, I'm venting a little. :mad:

[GaryProtein]

I feel your pain.

I dislike travel by air. I'm not afraid of flying, I just hate the experience and inconvenience.

I would just as soon stay home, go to work, putter around the house or listen to music.

[Mike]

Mike - I feel your pain. Business travel, heck, any travel, is just no fun these days. Tell them to route you to SRQ airport (Sarasota) and I'll pick you up.

[Ritmo]

Tempting Mike...:exciting:

Agree with you Gary!

[Mike]

Tempting Mike...:exciting:

Agree with you Gary!

You have my number. Call any time day or night and I'll come get you.

[BlueFox]

The San Jose airport closes at 11, but does allow some exceptions. You might be re routed to SFO or Oakland, and then bussed to San Jose. Just in time for the early morning meeting.

[wisnon]

EEEK!

Just like buying a ticket to Philly via Newark from here. They think its perfectly acceptable to cancel the Philly leg and put you on a train to Philly from Newark!!!

[Ritmo]

The San Jose airport closes at 11, but does allow some exceptions. You might be re routed to SFO or Oakland, and then bussed to San Jose. Just in time for the early morning meeting.

Bud - You are right. We landed in San Jose at 2:30 am. The shuttle to the rental car facility was running but, guess what, there were no rental agents and no taxis! I could not believe it! Thx to Uber I was able to get to the hotel by 3:30 am.

EDITORIAL COMMENT (WARNING) - Why run a shuttle bus to a rental car facility that is closed!?!? Seriously! Ahhhh!

Anyway, good day today. Have two more flights tomorrow. I wonder how that will turn out. I'm an optimist so...

[Ritmo]

EEEK!

Just like buying a ticket to Philly via Newark from here. They think its perfectly acceptable to cancel the Philly leg and put you on a train to Philly from Newark!!!

I know what you mean Norman. I used to consult in Philly. I spent many Friday evenings delayed in that airport.

[MDP]

You should have told me you were in Atlanta, I would have come and picked you up!

[jdandy]

Well, I must be getting a little older or my patience is being tested. I've been stuck at the Atlanta airport for 7 hrs waiting to leave for San Jose (CA). No, not a vacation. I have an early meeting in the morning and will likely get to my destination around 2 am.

Yes, I'm venting a little. :mad:

Mike.......As we say about flying down here, "You can't go to heaven or hell without being delayed in Atlanta."

My last flight from Boston's Logan airport to Jacksonville, Florida was a nightmare. I arrived the obligatory 2 hours early at Logan, went to check my bag only to discover my flight had been canceled due to snow at Dulles where I had a connecting flight. I was rerouted to a flight that took me to Atlanta, then to Jacksonville. Even though I had arrived 2 hours early, this rerouted flight was leaving in 45 minutes and I still had to get through Logan's security which took 30 minutes of shuffling back and forth in a line before I was cleared. With less than 15 minutes to spare and the terminal a long distance away I literally had to run through the airport, down escalators, through underground areas, up a second escalator and then run down to nearly the very end of the concourse terminal where the flight was boarding. As I came running up to the boarding point the door to the boarding ramp was just being closed. I raised my voice so the woman could hear me coming, asking her to please wait one minute. As I handed her my boarding pass she proceeds to scold me about being tardy and how I should consider arriving earlier next time. Trying to catch my breath it took all I had not to unload on this arrogant twit. Once in Atlanta I had a three and a half hour layover before the connecting flight to Jacksonville. I had originally been scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville at 7:30 PM. I arrived at nearly midnight, exhausted, frustrated, and still pissed off about how I was chastised by the terminal attendee at Logan. There is no other way to describe it, flying sucks. I now avoid flying like the plague. I am old enough to remember flying when there were only turbo prop planes. Flying was enjoyable and you were treated well. Not anymore. We are treated like cattle with no concern for convenience or satisfaction. They get your money and thereafter kick you in the ass with complete disrespect.

[asindc]

I've lived in the DC area for over 30 years now after growing up in the Midwest. When I first moved here to DC, I established a "5-hour rule" on driving, meaning if the trip took more than 5 hours to drive, I would fly instead. In the past few years, however, I've driven many long distance trips, several of them being 12 hours or more. I've gotten to the point that I wonder if airlines are trying to make flying as unpleasant an experience as possible. I'd rather drive 12 hours now than fly in most cases. It has gotten ridiculous.

[jdandy]

I've lived in the DC area for over 30 years now after growing up in the Midwest. When I first moved here to DC, I established a "5-hour rule" on driving, meaning if the trip took more than 5 hours to drive, I would fly instead. In the past few years, however, I've driven many long distance trips, several of them being 12 hours or more. I've gotten to the point that I wonder if airlines are trying to make flying as unpleasant an experience as possible. I'd rather drive 12 hours now than fly in most cases. It has gotten ridiculous.

Anthony.......I hear you. I would rather drive myself. Fortunately, I am now retired and I only go where I wish to go and none of those destinations include air travel.

[-E-]

Mike.......As we say about flying down here, "You can't go to heaven or hell without being delayed in Atlanta."

My last flight from Boston's Logan airport to Jacksonville, Florida was a nightmare. I arrived the obligatory 2 hours early at Logan, went to check my bag only to discover my flight had been canceled due to snow at Dulles where I had a connecting flight. I was rerouted to a flight that took me to Atlanta, then to Jacksonville. Even though I had arrived 2 hours early, this rerouted flight was leaving in 45 minutes and I still had to get through Logan's security which took 30 minutes of shuffling back and forth in a line before I was cleared. With less than 15 minutes to spare and the terminal a long distance away I literally had to run through the airport, down escalators, through underground areas, up a second escalator and then run down to nearly the very end of the concourse terminal where the flight was boarding. As I came running up to the boarding point the door to the boarding ramp was just being closed. I raised my voice so the woman could hear me coming, asking her to please wait one minute. As I handed her my boarding pass she proceeds to scold me about being tardy and how I should consider arriving earlier next time. Trying to catch my breath it took all I had not to unload on this arrogant twit. Once in Atlanta I had a three and a half hour layover before the connecting flight to Jacksonville. I had originally been scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville at 7:30 PM. I arrived at nearly midnight, exhausted, frustrated, and still pissed off about how I was chastised by the terminal attendee at Logan. There is no other way to describe it, flying sucks. I now avoid flying like the plague. I am old enough to remember flying when there were only turbo prop planes. Flying was enjoyable and you were treated well. Not anymore. We are treated like cattle with no concern for convenience or satisfaction. They get your money and thereafter kick you in the ass with complete disrespect.

Wow, my last trip through Logan, whilst complicated, was entirely opposite. Had a "weather" delay (there was no bad weather) on my flight that would cause a misconnect at JFK, and staff and supervisor worked so diligently to open up a seat on an earlier delayed flight that would allow me to connect with just enough time to spare. They wouldn't give up! And, yes, I made it! Would have been horrific, but instead I made my way back to SFO with great ease, and dare to say, quite comfortably (highly recommend JetBlue Mint).

[jdandy]

E.......The flights themselves were not anything unusual, it was all the stress leading up to boarding and a ridiculously long layover in Atlanta. Once back in Jacksonville at midnight I had another hour and a half drive of 100 miles from the airport to get home. Not pleasant.

I have flown out of Gainesville regional many times without issues. Orlando International is another modern and streamlined airport. Can't say much for the airport in Puerto Rico where there's a lot of standing around in lines in non air conditioned areas outside. It's been years since I've flown into SFO. I never cared for the drive from the airport into the city.

It's probably because I have some years on me now and I'm getting crotchety but I value a leisurely pace that includes comfort. It seems flying no longer includes either of these things.

[CPP]

E.......The flights themselves were not anything unusual, it was all the stress leading up to boarding and a ridiculously long layover in Atlanta. Once back in Jacksonville at midnight I had another hour and a half drive of 100 miles from the airport to get home. Not pleasant.

I have flown out of Gainesville regional many times without issues. Orlando International is another modern and streamlined airport. Can't say much for the airport in Puerto Rico where there's a lot of standing around in lines in non air conditioned areas outside. It's been years since I've flown into SFO. I never cared for the drive from the airport into the city.

It's probably because I have some years on me now and I'm getting crotchety but I value a leisurely pace that includes comfort. It seems flying no longer includes either of these things.

Dan Gainesville a cute little airport. Back in my working years, I used to fly out of there a lot since it was close to Ocala, easy drive home when you landed. I still hate Orlando, with their parking fees, the traffic but if you want a direct non-stop its the only option if you want to avoid Altanta.

[-E-]

E.......The flights themselves were not anything unusual, it was all the stress leading up to boarding and a ridiculously long layover in Atlanta. Once back in Jacksonville at midnight I had another hour and a half drive of 100 miles from the airport to get home. Not pleasant.

I have flown out of Gainesville regional many times without issues. Orlando International is another modern and streamlined airport. Can't say much for the airport in Puerto Rico where there's a lot of standing around in lines in non air conditioned areas outside. It's been years since I've flown into SFO. I never cared for the drive from the airport into the city.

It's probably because I have some years on me now and I'm getting crotchety but I value a leisurely pace that includes comfort. It seems flying no longer includes either of these things.

I certainly feel your pain with the long drive after a flight. I do what I can to avoid it like the plague.

SFO International Terminal and T2 are great. United Terminal is a zoo (albeit the Centurion Lounge has helped when not overcrowded).

Comfort only occurs in non-steerage. :\

[Jerome W]

Bud - You are right. We landed in San Jose at 2:30 am. The shuttle to the rental car facility was running but, guess what, there were no rental agents and no taxis! I could not believe it! Thx to Uber I was able to get to the hotel by 3:30 am.

EDITORIAL COMMENT (WARNING) - Why run a shuttle bus to a rental car facility that is closed!?!? Seriously! Ahhhh!

Anyway, good day today. Have two more flights tomorrow. I wonder how that will turn out. I'm an optimist so...

Mike,

Sorry to read your troubles.
On a funny note, your story makes USA look like France....:)

[mep]

Flying was much better pre-911 and better still before the airlines were deregulated. Once upon a time, there was such a thing as stewardesses on airplanes. Being a stewardess was considered a glamorous job for women much like being a cheerleader. There were standards for height, weight, age, and looks back in those days. Then one day that was all gone and you suddenly had 300 lb grandmas wearing moo-moos that wanted you to refer to them as "flight attendants." And standing next to grandma were male flight attendants who used to cut hair or dress windows who made you think of 3 alarm fires when you saw them.

Once upon a time, even on short flights, you were served some type of a snack (and I don't mean peanuts). Now you could fly cross-country and you won't be served a damn thing to eat. They will sell you food to eat, but unless you bring your own food or buy theirs, you will be so hungry you will have cobwebs growing on your butt by the time you arrive to your cross-country destination.

And then came the contest among airlines to see how close they could move the seats together. I'm 6' 3" and all legs and it's miserable for me. I'm waiting for the day when the airlines will cut your legs off before the flight and charge you $40.00 per leg to check them so they can move the seats even closer together.

And how many of you saw the news story recently about the gay TSA agent and his female accomplice? I'm not making this up by the way lest anyone think I am. The gay guy would signal his female friend when he saw a cute guy coming through security that he wanted to come in contact with. When the cute guy stepped in the naked X-Ray machine, the female TSA agent would flip the switch on the machine to the "female" position. When the scanner saw his doppelganger hanging down and thought it was a woman, the machine would alert that the cute guy needed to be frisked and the gay TSA agent proceeded to go to work. They were caught and both fired.

The bottom line is that unless you are wealthy and fly via private jet, flying absolutely blows. I try and only take direct flights if at all possible and I try to limit my flying to as close to zero as I can.

[BlueFox]

Flying was much better pre-911 and better still before the airlines were deregulated. Once upon a time, there was such a thing as stewardesses on airplanes. Being a stewardess was considered a glamorous job for women much like being a cheerleader. There were standards for height, weight, age, and looks back in those days. Then one day that was all gone and you suddenly had 300 lb grandmas wearing moo-moos that wanted you to refer to them as "flight attendants." And standing next to grandma were male flight attendants who used to cut hair or dress windows who made you think of 3 alarm fires when you saw them.

Once upon a time, even on short flights, you were served some type of a snack (and I don't mean peanuts). Now you could fly cross-country and you won't be served a damn thing to eat. They will sell you food to eat, but unless you bring your own food or buy theirs, you will be so hungry you will have cobwebs growing on your butt by the time you arrive to your cross-country destination.

And then came the contest among airlines to see how close they could move the seats together. I'm 6' 3" and all legs and it's miserable for me. I'm waiting for the day when the airlines will cut your legs off before the flight and charge you $40.00 per leg to check them so they can move the seats even closer together.

And how many of you saw the news story recently about the gay TSA agent and his female accomplice? I'm not making this up by the way lest anyone think I am. The gay guy would signal his female friend when he saw a cute guy coming through security that he wanted to come in contact with. When the cute guy stepped in the naked X-Ray machine, the female TSA agent would flip the switch on the machine to the "female" position. When the scanner saw his doppelganger hanging down and thought it was a woman, the machine would alert that the cute guy needed to be frisked and the gay TSA agent proceeded to go to work. They were caught and both fired.

The bottom line is that unless you are wealthy and fly via private jet, flying absolutely blows. I try and only take direct flights if at all possible and I try to limit my flying to as close to zero as I can.

LOL. I used to be a field service engineer and traveled all the time in the late 70s and early 80s. Then you could book a coach flight during the day, 'miss' it, and get another flight after 6 PM, which included an upgrade to first class. I remember more than once flying across country, and having an entire seat row to myself. I would finish the meal (which I always enjoyed), and get another one or two from the stewardess since they had plenty of left overs. Finally, you could smoke anything you wanted in the rest room then (not that I would do that), and drink all you wanted.

Ah yes, the good old days, as long as somebody else bought the ticket. :)

[Ritmo]

You should have told me you were in Atlanta, I would have come and picked you up!

Thought about it Mark! But, I needed to get to San Jose for a meeting.

[Ritmo]

Mike.......As we say about flying down here, "You can't go to heaven or hell without being delayed in Atlanta."

My last flight from Boston's Logan airport to Jacksonville, Florida was a nightmare. I arrived the obligatory 2 hours early at Logan, went to check my bag only to discover my flight had been canceled due to snow at Dulles where I had a connecting flight. I was rerouted to a flight that took me to Atlanta, then to Jacksonville. Even though I had arrived 2 hours early, this rerouted flight was leaving in 45 minutes and I still had to get through Logan's security which took 30 minutes of shuffling back and forth in a line before I was cleared. With less than 15 minutes to spare and the terminal a long distance away I literally had to run through the airport, down escalators, through underground areas, up a second escalator and then run down to nearly the very end of the concourse terminal where the flight was boarding. As I came running up to the boarding point the door to the boarding ramp was just being closed. I raised my voice so the woman could hear me coming, asking her to please wait one minute. As I handed her my boarding pass she proceeds to scold me about being tardy and how I should consider arriving earlier next time. Trying to catch my breath it took all I had not to unload on this arrogant twit. Once in Atlanta I had a three and a half hour layover before the connecting flight to Jacksonville. I had originally been scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville at 7:30 PM. I arrived at nearly midnight, exhausted, frustrated, and still pissed off about how I was chastised by the terminal attendee at Logan. There is no other way to describe it, flying sucks. I now avoid flying like the plague. I am old enough to remember flying when there were only turbo prop planes. Flying was enjoyable and you were treated well. Not anymore. We are treated like cattle with no concern for convenience or satisfaction. They get your money and thereafter kick you in the ass with complete disrespect.


Dan - Terrible! I think just about all of us here have stories like this one. With the reduction of seats across the airline industry, one cancellation means delays in getting to your final destination sometimes in days - not hours. The only thing that helps is having a "status" with the airline.

[Ritmo]

Mike,

Sorry to read your troubles.
On a funny note, your story makes USA look like France....:)

I love France Jerome! Well, some things French...wine, food, audio friends...:hey:

[Ritmo]

BTW, the story is not over. I'm seating at the AmEx Centurion Lounge at DFW. Just received a message from AA. My flight home has just been delayed! :exciting: