MONDAY MUSINGS: TRAVEL HASSLES

My Midwestern journey was a bit harried to say the least as there are just some things beyond one's control and that biggie was weather. 

Starting off with thunderstorms plaguing my departure, the brief interludes of rain stopping, definitely helped my psyche.  It wasn't pouring at least for the early highway ride to the airport and the plane did depart on time. But the pilot forewarned us our trip would be bumpy and the arrival would be dependent upon Ohare's flow since many regions were suffering stormy weather patterns. We did a not an unusual detour out over Lake Michigan.  And thank goodness, made it in time for my airport brunch rendezvous with Kathy, one of my Costa Rican buddies who would be flying North out of Ohare!

Since it had started snowing, my connecting flight was delayed by half an hour as the plane needed de-icing at the gate. Okay, better safe than sorry. Then, for some reason, on the final approach, the pilot gunned it upon landing. I had never experienced that before. Scary. My nerves got a real workout as the next mode of transport was a rental car in Madison.

For some reason, the folks in the Hertz line were not happy, and after half an hour, I heard the workerbee say they were out of cars. WHAT?  I not only had a car reserved, but I had also done the quick checkout. How would they resolve this faux pas of not having enough cars?

 They could only apologize and point me to another agency.  They would hear from me later because I had 2 hrs to get to a 6pm dinner date with the Happy Bookers so thank goodness, Alamo
had one 4-wheel drive SUV left, a big Ford Bronco. 

 I took it as a snowstorm front was predicted during my stay. (The Coulee region is really hilly.) For once, thank goodness, there was an attendant on the lot to show me how to work the cruise control and other essentials. There was a control 'dial' which was really impractical. Who in the world thought that was a good idea?

I made my dinner date. But weather reports would plague me as a major snowstorm would hit the area by the weekend. My return was supposed to be Tuesday. The amount of snow kept changing throw in rain, sleet, ice and snow up to a possible 20". I was going to be stuck somewhere.

Even lodging plans would change as digging out a car after a snowplow buries it couldn't be my option, nor could an icy drive back to Madison. 

Leaving  Saturday became an option.  My new ticket out of Rochester fell through as within 5 minutes as I tried to get my online boarding  passes for the new ticket, I noticed that flight was now delayed 2 hours, missing the connecting flight in Ohare and the exact time the storm would roll in. NOT GOOD. This option would no longer work. Redialed AA and waited for a return call.

Meanwhile, I rechecked Madison departures and was able to nab a midafternoon flight and use the second part of that new ticket. Off I went,  refilling the gas tank near the Madison airport, returning the rental with a plane that left on time. 

But the adventure wasn't over as on my connecting LR flight after leaving the gate in Ohare, we went to an open part of the field where some 30 service vehicles were awaiting planes for a gigantic car/ plane wash for de-icing. What a system with electronic boards indicating which flight to stop, wait.. amazing.

I made it home and in my bed by 10pm Saturday night. That Midwestern storm is supposed to end today, Monday by 1pm. I am so glad to be back home, safe, even with impending thunderstorms and a cold front moving in...

As I click my heels... there's no place like home.