So to say that I am a disgruntled airline passenger, that would be a huge understatement. I fall under the category of enraged. I actually overheard a news story about a person that swore at a customs agent and was arrested. That possibly could have been me yesterday, but I amazingly did not swear.
Yesterday I was headed home from my wonderful work trip in Toronto. When we got to the airport 2 1/2 hours ahead of time for our international flight, the check-in machine froze on me, and then when it did un freeze, we found out our flight would be delayed and we would not make our connecting flight. When we asked the gate agent what we should do, her suggestion was to stay one more night in Toronto. I asked her if she would be paying for a hotel for us. Nope, that is not in the plan, but it would be her suggestion. Well, just having left a hotel and paying a rate of $230 per night, my coleague and I decided we would test our luck and go forward and hope our next flight would be delayed too. We also asked her if we do get stuck in minneapolis, could we get our luggage. She said that shouldn't be a problem... obviously we have different opinions of what a problem is, but that will come later. We also asked if she could get us to SEattle, no flights that we would make.... So on we went. When we got to customs, they asked me if I had anything to declare. I said no, he said are you sure. Oh yeah, i bought an outfit when the airlines lost my luggage on the way to toronto. and I got a free build a bear. Duh! Didn't know that was what he was asking. So on we went to the gate, holding back tears because all we wanted to do was go home to Spokane. Both of us had our hearts set on seeing our little boys and husbands.
after eating dinner - more airport food, we went to the gate, bad news, flight is delayed an extra 20 minutes. When the plane finally arrived, we had a quick turnaround. As we were boarding the plane, they informed us that our computer bags won't fit in the plane.... so we need to do the a la carte. Great. The gate agent also got mad at me that I didn't have my passport in my hand. I didn't know I needed it. She rudely let me know she had announced it already, next!
When we got on the plane they announced that we should land at 9:30 and our next flight leaves at 9:45. Oh a glimmer of hope, but wait, our bags are now gate checked so we are going to be running. If you have ever been to minneapolis airport, it's huge. The flight attendant on the plane was very nice. she actually looked up our gate info for us, so when we landed, we knew which direction to run! Our plane landed and unloaded at 9:45. We ran through the airport got to the gate, and our plane was pulling away.... Without us! It was a moment when you wanted to scream NOOOOOOO! and I did!
When we got to the gate, there were 2 agents. 1 was helping someone, the other, doing paperwork. We asked the one doing paperwork what we should do, she couldn't be bothered. At one point as she was typing away, I asked her if she was looking up our info or doing something else. She said "I am fixing my numbers and paperwork." She then walked away!
The other lady fininshed helping another person and then moved on to us. She suggested we go to baggage claim, they are giving out overnight kits and cots if we would like to stay the night in the terminal.... Really not going to sleep on a rolla way with my purse, laptop and phone unattended, but thanks for the offer. She then gave us vouchers for $25 off our next flight. Meanwhile, my colleague called the NW distress line. They offered to pay half for our hotel and the country inn with no airport shuttle and is 20 minutes from the airport. Our share would have been $79 each we knew there were other hotels that are closer with shuttles and a little more. We asked, they told us that was the only hotel they had on their list. No thanks.
We headed to the phone bank at baggage claim - which was a zoo because the flights were messed up all day! we got a room at the ramada and went to walmart. we bought pajamas, and clothes for today. we figured we could share a room and save a little $ if we had some pj's and walmart was right there!
I forgot to mention that I bought some captain morgans at the duty free shop in toronto, and since we had left the secured area, I would now have to check that bag. So I bought a backpack at walmart - only $9.
So as I write this, we are sitting at the gate, patiently waiting to go home to Spokane!
Can't wait for my adventure on Tuesday to do this all over again with Northwest. Here is my advice to them. Please learn how to be helpful to your customers. By providing options, it gives the customers choices. Many of the employees just seem to be disgruntled. I just feel like I have a black cloud following me around especially when I am flying.
Did I mention my luggage got lost on the way to toronto..... I love travelling!!!!!!
We had a great time hanging out and were really entertained by Caden. He went down the waterslide more times than I care to count. He climbed up the ladder all by himself, and then went down on his own. I don't have any pictures of it because I forgot to bring the camera....
So on this trip, I have had many crazy things happen. I almost didn't make my connecting flight to Toronto - Minneapolis airport is huge! Then when I did arrive at 10:30pm, my luggage did not arrive, so I went through customs with just me. I didn't get my bags until 11pm the next night. In the mean time, my phone didn't recognize I was in Canada, and it kept going to roaming. I bought a new outfit to wear for the day and the opening reception. I also had some computer challenges at the booth, and one of the sessions I really wanted to go to was too crowded so I couldn't even get in the door. What a zoo! I will be thrilled to get back to Spokane. All in all, once things calmed down, I was able to network and meet lots of people, so it was a great week.
