Typically I fly direct. Typically I fly Southwest. Neither of those happened this last trip. I took US Airways and had a layover in LaGuardia. I like traveling and none of this phases me. For some reason, I decided to check a bag. My flight from BWI to LGA was simple and uneventful. My trip from there to Providence was a bit more interesting...
18:45 - arrive at LGA with little fanfare. As I get into the terminal, I
check the boards to find my next flight, headed to PVD, set to depart
from gate 10, on-time (19:59). So I wander a bit past gate 10 and review
the stores/food court. No interest.
19:05 - return to gate 10 with yogurt parfait and water in hand. Find a
seat and enjoy my food. I notice that there is no airline personnel at
the desk nor is the flight monitor active. About a dozen passengers are
around. After eating, I pull out a book to read.
19:35 - a passenger wanders by looking for a seat and asks the general
area whether this is the right gate for PVD and why hasn't boarding
started. It does seem strange. I notice my phone is dying and I should
find a receptacle. An airline person walks to the counter.
19:40 - I move across the way close to the door near a power receptacle
and plug in my phone. I reopen the book and wait to see what happens.
The woman takes the mike and announces, 'the plane outside has been
sitting there for two days for mechanical issues. They are still
working on it. We will let you know.'
19:45 - second announcement. 'Flight is not taking off. Passengers can
hurry and take an US Airways Express flight to DC and then back up to Providence.
There are no other flights to Providence. The DC flight is at gate 18
and boards real soon now.' She told some people that they should rush
over to the gate.
19:55 - I don't panic even when 12-15 ppl rush away from the gate. I ask
about any flights to Boston. There is a 9pm flight. I decide to take
that info and think about my options. I try reach my friends in Boston
(voicemail) and then call my friend in Providence. Mike suggests that
maybe the airline would compensate a train ticket to PVD from NYC or
from Boston. Also, he could just come to Logan. I check back with the
airline person and they don't know if I could get a voucher for a train.
When I am ready, I should head to Special Services.
20:10 - I head to Special Services and ask to transfer to the Boston
flight. I also ask to have my checked bag transferred because otherwise it
would stay in LaGuardia (I assume). I ask the manager about getting free
access to WiFi (it costs money) to search for travel options or train
vouchers. No dice. She says I can send an email to US Airways and
mention the situation to get reimbursements.
20:30 - I head over to gate 19 (other side of airport). I notice that
the 9pm Boston flight is listed as delayed until 9:30pm. Ugh! I ask at
the desk and find that the plane is enroute and arrives by 8:50pm.
20:45 - After settling in to wait, I see the departure boards and notice
a PVD flight listed to depart at 9pm. I didn't note the gate number,
but the flight number was my old one. I ask the desk near me and they
are confused. Asked me who said that the flight was cancelled. They call
Special Services and find out yes, mechanical delays and it will be listed as cancelled. Local manager confirms. I return to my seat and ignore the
board.
20:50 - I spend some time researching how to get from BOS to PVD. Maybe
Amtrak, maybe rental car. Talked with my friends in Boston. Mike planned
to call me back.
20:59 - I packed up my bag and was planning on asking the desk about the
Boston plane. I hear an announcement stating last call for Providence
flight at gate 8! What? I rush to the desk and ask this guy about the
announcement. He comes out of a daze and says he didn't hear it. I ask
to check for the PVD flight and gate 8. A woman looks and says that it
still shows maintenance issues. The guys says that no one is answering
at 8. I decided to rush back over.
21:10 - I arrive at gate 8. I ask the woman about a flight to
Providence. She (Lucy) says that it is ready to leave and I missed the flight. I quickly
explain and she calls on the radio down to the tarmac and asks to hold
the plane. She finds out that I can board but my bag is not going to
make it back to this flight. Tarmac radios that some bags bound from
Providence have just arrived. Lucy and I rush down to the plane and she
takes my claim ticket to see if my bag is on the cart before they load
it. Nope. But I can still go to Providence if I want. (The plane
destined for Boston is now at its gate and prepping for travel, with my
bag).
21:30 - I am the sole passenger on a small prop jet headed to PVD. Just
me, two pilots, and a flight attendant. I actually have to sit in the
back for weight balance. Kinda fun.
And that's how I arrive in Providence and my bag heads to Logan. Fortunately, I am not on some crazy high-level business trip. Fortunately, Boston is a short one hour trip away. Fortunately, I have some good friends in Boston to meet up with for dinner.
It is often said that how you react to circumstances is the key. Like water off a duck's back. Take every situation as a blessing in disguise. One I like is that the size of a man is equivalent to the size of the thing that pisses him off. Worst case scenario - buy new clothes. Best case - a day in Boston. And that is what I had.
Thanks for reading,
~J^3
