I'll Fly Away ...

Back to "stuff"

With a nod to Norah Jones (I'll fly away), finally made it back home
Brief recap of return from Boston : just 'cause (recap of Wed 6/29)

Up at 5:00 - not that unusual, beat the 5:30 wake up call (which came at 5:20)
Out and on the road to Providence (RI) by 5:30
Took about hour & a half.
Early because I was a bit concerned about fog from prior night's weather forecast.
Return rental and plenty of time for check-in, security etc. for 9:14 flight.
Chose early flight to avoid delay pile-up's

More than enough time ... or so I thought

"Computer Problems" on the aircraft.
Turns out that it was valve actuation issues with right side engine.
Delay for testing till 9:40 ... OK, but looks like missing the 11:56 connection in DTW
Call NWA for later bookings.
1:30
3:15
5:12
All filled 'till 7:30PM flight out - so book me, if there's an opening earlier, I'll take it.
Delay for testing till 10:40 - glad I booked later flight
Delay for testing till 11:15 - still glad for the later booking.

Finally - "this plane not flying till sometime this evening. We need a new valve and it will have to be flown in. Go to baggage claim, collect your baggage and return to the ticketing counter."
Had 100% carry-on (whew)
Got booked on USAir due out at 1:55 to Philly then on to DTW, leave 4:16 arrive 6:06.

Back through security, but this time, as it was a 2nd pass through - got "special screening"
At first I thought it was to expedite - nope.
Booth sniff, full swab of briefcase, computer case, suitcase.

Make it to USAir and board.
Back away from the gate - but Ground Hold - weather in Philly.
First hold something like 30min, next maybe an hour.
Note that while on the ramp, the A/C doesn't work all that well.
Finally, about 2:50 the captian says "more bad news... 2hr hold" and he takes us back to the gate.
2:52 call to NWA (while we taxi back to gate) to nail only flight to NWA out at 4:14.
OK - hoof it to NWA gate.
Would prefer to get stuck in Detroit - options of hotel, or just rent car to make 5+hr drive home.
"We're booked up" (gate attendent)
"I'm booked... check the computer" - confirmed.
Starting to get frustrated with situation.
Captain calls me aside to show me the radar - obvious that East Coast is in trouble, now LaGuardia, Baltimore, DC closed. With luck, he gets us out between cells, and up to Mowhawk Valley to swing west.
But ... now we need the "ticket" from USAir - back to that gate, interrupt agent and manage to get ticket... back to NWA as they are starting to board.
Whew.
Some ground delays, longer flight due to re-routing, have to OJ it through Detroit Metro to make connection ... but done.

Touchdown a bit after 8:45
Glad to be home.

Lesson's : travel light (carry on), cellphone with airline 800 number.