Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I recognize my privilege in being able to travel.
I recognize my privilege in being able to travel by air.
I recognize how amazing the whole concept of flight is.
I recognize that most times, travel goes far more smoothly than I have any right to expect.
I recognize that.
And when things go wrong. I whine. I acknowledge my privilege. And I whine.
Here, in a series of Facebook posts, is what happened today:
10:05 AM more or less
The plane left the gate, taxied to the runway, where we now sit waiting for an open gate to which the plane can return to have a steering issue corrected. Do we get frequent flyer miles for taxiing back and forth? Or frequent sitting points?
10:35 AM more or less
And we’re back at the gate. What a short, strange trip it’s been.
10:45 AM more or less
And we’re getting off. In Louisville. Jordan is working on our flights. Amazing how he can do that and talk to us on the plane at the same time.
11:00 AM more or less
Rebooked. Kind of like being rebooted.
11:02 AM more or less
Why did the child laugh when he saw our plane is going thru Detroit?
11:05 AM
“Your plane will leave at 11:00 so you can make the connection,” said the gate agent at 11:05 with no plane at the jetway and the crew standing inside the airport.
11:08 AM
Always nice to have these kind of travel issues when no one cares when you arrive.
11:24 AM
Now boarding the plane that left at 11:00. It’s 11:24. Hope the plane is still there.
11:30 AM more or less
Now waiting for fuel for the plane. Those frequent sitting points keep accumulating.
11:35 AM more or less
Fuel truck arrived at plane. Could this lead to movement? In the air?
11:45 AM more or less
The door is closed. Will the next text be from DTW?
12:10 PM more or less
DTW
12:40 PM more or less
And on another plane. A much bigger plane. But still sitting. The rant of privilege goes on and on.
12:58 PM more or less
“We look forward to seeing you on your way back,” says the DTW gate agent. Not real good news to those of us who have had today’s adventure in SDF
3:02 PM more or less
LGA. The adventure draws to a close.
3:03 PM more or less
Apparently I was in an “economy comfort” seat. Not all the parts of my anatomy feel comfortable, though.
3:20 PM more or less
Have my bag.
4:12 PM more or less
The Shire on the Hudson
The day’s travel draws to a close. Other days – better days, worse days, different days – will follow.
And on those days, I’ll see you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 