I hate flying sometimes. It’s 4.30pm (EST) and I’ve been here at Newark International Airport since 8.30am. My flight, originally scheduled to leave at 3.15pm was delayed, and then that was going to mean I was going to miss my connecting flight from O’hare to Seattle. I was upset. So finally someone showed up at the counter and started typing on the computer…type type type. Type type type. No “I’ll be with you in a second, sir” or “Just one minute…” – just type type type. Finally, after I stood there for a good 5 minutes, he looked up and said, “Can I help you?” I explained my situation and then…the typing began again. He seriously went about 3-4 more minutes without saying a word, and just typing…typing…it was just like that scene from MEET THE PARENTS when Focker is just standing there and she’s typing…he finally said he’d just have to deal with it a few minutes later. So I went to the bathroom — after emerging from the bathroom 15 minutes later, I found out he’d been calling my name over the loudspeaker for the past 10 minutes. They had me booked on a direct flight from Newark to Seattle on a different airline, Alaska (even though my bags were still on the delayed American flight). But I’d have to go back to the ticketing counter, and do all that jazz again. So I do. And apparently he screwed some stuff up and so it took FOREVER for me to get my ticket (which had a *S* on it, which, for those of you who travel frequently, you’ll know that means I was selected to get some extra-special-lovin’ by Airport security).
BUT, it was while in line at Alaska that I turned around and saw Jenn – she’s a friend from the Northwest, and from Whitworth, and most recently from Princeton Seminary. She was on this flight — and even crazier, she had the seat next to the one I had just been assigned. So…a long, boring day in the airport was made more bearable now that I had a friend…and then we went through the security lines and I asked one of the guys about my *S* and somehow, he just let me through and I didn’t have to get that extra-special-lovin’ after all. And now I’m here…an hour or so from FINALLY boarding a flight – and it’s a direct flight with a dinner…so that’s good.
As for my luggage…my two suitcases filled w/my clothes, school books, etc….they should arrive in Seattle on the American flight I was supposed to be on…an hour later. Ha. We’ll see. I had initially told the guy I wanted to just stay with my bags, but then they already had me booked on the direct flight…so…UGH.
By the time I get my bags in Seattle, it will be close to 10.30pm (1.30am EST) – and I’ll have been in airports or airplanes for 16 hours. Oh well…home sweet home I guess.