Travel Nightmares - 06/25/12 06:46 PM
Just a couple of years ago, my wife and I were returning from a visit to our daughter who was studying for a semester in Belgium. Since I had used frequent flyer miles for our trip, our flight choices were somewhat limited, so we already had a 5 hour layover in Washington, DC. As a frequent business traveler, I have a membership in the club of one of the major airlines, so we were at least comfortable with free drinks and snacks.
However, as we sat there, watching TV, the weather news continued to worsen, specifically in the area around home. Our flight was pushed back twice and, in fact, as our scheduled flight time approached, a tornado apparently destroyed a church in a nearby city. Finally, the flight was cancelled completely.
The first flight on which the airline could guarantee a seat for us was 2 days later, but we were welcome to come in and wait standby for each earlier flight the next day, which is what we did.
After a late night pizza delivery (for a missed dinenr) and a short sleep, we were back at the airport at 5:30AM. Finally, after three full flights, we were able to board an afternoon flight and arrived home nearly 24 hours late.
Now as flying nightmares go, that experience wasn't that bad. I've been involved in more frustrating delays and it wasn't scary like the time my wife and daughter were aboard a plane struck by lightning, but it was not a fun experience.
How about you? Would you care to share your worst travel experience with us? Reply to this post and tell us about it.
However, as we sat there, watching TV, the weather news continued to worsen, specifically in the area around home. Our flight was pushed back twice and, in fact, as our scheduled flight time approached, a tornado apparently destroyed a church in a nearby city. Finally, the flight was cancelled completely.
The first flight on which the airline could guarantee a seat for us was 2 days later, but we were welcome to come in and wait standby for each earlier flight the next day, which is what we did.
After a late night pizza delivery (for a missed dinenr) and a short sleep, we were back at the airport at 5:30AM. Finally, after three full flights, we were able to board an afternoon flight and arrived home nearly 24 hours late.
Now as flying nightmares go, that experience wasn't that bad. I've been involved in more frustrating delays and it wasn't scary like the time my wife and daughter were aboard a plane struck by lightning, but it was not a fun experience.
How about you? Would you care to share your worst travel experience with us? Reply to this post and tell us about it.