Summer 2022 Airline Chaos: A New Twist

Airline Chaos:
A New Twist

This has been a summer of travel horror stories for anyone who's attempted to go by air.

I myself went on a short (even shorter than I expected!) holiday to the US. Here's the chronology, broken down by leg of the journey.

Image by ThePixelman from Pixabay Going There

Supposed to leave June 17 morning, returning June 20 late afternoon;10pm on July 16, received a notice via the airline's mobile phone app that the flight was cancelled;They kindly rebooked me to a flight June 18 in the evening, which would have cut my 4-day weekend to 2;As it happens, I was sleeping at 10pm on July 16, since I thought I had to go to the airport at 3am;When I woke up at 1am, after hastily scrambling about online, I was able to rebook my rebooking to the early morning of June 18, thereby saving a kind of 3-day weekend;Since they told me too late to rebook my hotel, loss of one day.

Airports: Pearson

Arrived at Pearson at 3:40am;US Customs opens at 4am;There are various line-ups in front of the Customs gate, several hundred people;Of course, they're late opening;Thank God I took only carry-on, and already checked in - it's the least of the line-ups;Inside, there are more endless line-ups;By 5:30 I'm at my gate and starving;A wolfed down $31 breakfast later, and I'm finally on the plane.

Airports: Atlanta

In Atlanta, they tell you it's the world's largest and busiest airport, and they say it like it's something to be proud of;I realize that, unless I have at least 3 hours to spare, there's no point lining up at any of the food outlets in the area where I am;This is especially true coming home, where my flight is delayed until nearly closing time.

The Twist: Back Home

You'd think the story would be over, but a month after I got back, the airline app sent me a notice that my flight (same flight number) had been delayed (same flight that was delayed coming home) until 10:25pm. But, not to worry, my baggage was already on the plane.

A few minutes later, they sent me another notice saying my flight was boarding, and I had to hurry up and get to the gate.

A month later, and they were still trying to f&ck up my vacation.

If you were wondering why there haven't been many travel pieces lately...this is why. :)

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Published on July 17, 2022 13:21
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Anya M. Wassenberg
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