We made it to El Paso. Bunking here for the night, to Juarez in the morning to meet Sev. Holler!
SOOOOOOOOOOOO. I apparently bring bad travel juu juu. We are rushed through the check-in line they're telling us we've got to hurry. We have 5 bags (2 backpacks, 1 carry-on, diaper bag, 1 purse.) 3 people who can walk. Okay. Shoes off, laptops out, bags on the line, walk-thru, no problems, diaper bag out-*Ma'am, is this your bag? come with me. Awesome. Bag 2, my backpack, *Ma'am is this your bag? Is there a laptop in here? (Oh my word, I got out Monica's and totally forgot mine. I'm so sorry.) We have to re-run it. Not a problem, I understand. Bag 3, the carry-on. *Ma'am is this your bag? Are there speakers in here? (Yes, there is a portable DVD player. There's toys, trains, snacks...)Okay, we have to re-run it. SURE, no problem. (PS, CAN I HAVE MY SHOES YET?) ****Meanwhile: Monica's having every speck of baby food tested with the wand and scientific scanner while managing Simon in the baby backpack as well as Kalen who can't get his shoes on. ****Meanwhile, Cara is holding Monica's laptop, Monica's purse, my backpack, finally get the carry-on and grab my shoes. *BREATHE* Diaper bag is cleared, off to our gate. What's that you say? Gate 4? Oh the one at the VERY END OF THE TERMINAL? Sure. No problem.
In time for boarding, awesome. Oh wait. What's that? Oh, American Airlines doesn't do pre-boarding for parents with kids? Oh. Great. What group are we? 5? Oh. Okay. (***PS, our seats are all on different rows. That leaves a 4 year old to fend for himself. Not happenin'.) We get up to the gate attendant: "Um yes, we are all traveling together and have different seats. We'd like to see if we could somehow trade with someone so at least 2 of us could be together." AAlady: "You'll have to ask the flight attendant." Sure. Me: "Um yes, we are all traveling....sit together?" AAFA#1: "You'll have to speak to the attendant in the back." *What's that? You want me to walk all the way to the back of the plane with 2 children, 5 bags...? Sure. Monica gets in her seat with Simon and Kalen. I haul 3 bags to the rear of the plane. Me: Ma'am, I need some help. AAFA#2: Calm down ma'am. Me: (Thinking: I'm not worked up) Yes, I am traveling with a mother and her 2 kids. We all have different seats, I need one of them to be changed so that myself and the 4 year old can sit together. AAFA#2: Calm down. You'll need to find someone to switch with you. Me: *confused, okay? AAFA#2: You should find a place for your luggage before it gets filled up. And please move out of the way so others can pass you. (*I'M NOT EXAGGERATING!) Me: (very frustrated, carrying 3 bags, finds someone who will switch. I slam/cram my bag into the overhead compartment above Monica's row, grab Kalen and gets to our seat while graciously and sweetly saying "Thank You" to the dear man who switched me. We get our bags under the seats, get buckled, *BREATHE* *SWEATING BUCKETS* Here's the kicker..... AAFA#2: "You're Welcome" as she passes me on her way back from the "exits and air masks" routine. *Insert imaginative idea of what I was saying to myself and saying to her in my head.
Pilot: "Ladies and gentleman, due to some pretty strong thunderstorms we won't be able to depart from the gate. Air traffic control has grounded all planes to and from Dallas." Awesome! Great! We'd LOVE to sit here after being rushed! ...30minutes... "Ladies and Gentleman it's probably going to be about a 45 minute delay. Don't worry, all flights out of DFW have been delayed as well." Sure, I won't worry. Luckily, 15 minutes later he came on and we left. Only delayed an hour so we were only an hour late to El Paso. Our ride was here and we made it! Got to the grocery store and have been relaxing at the Border Initiative where my friend Gavin works. Some good 'ole mac and cheese and craft time before we winded it down and now we're going to bed.
Juarez tomorrow morning/early afternoon!!! It's really happening.
3 comments:
Well...this is hilarious (and frustrating i'm sure). Why the HECK they don't seat kids first is just idiotic. On my cousin's plane to Alaska, they had ASSIGNED a seat for a 2-year-old to sit by HIMSELF....like the 59 year-old stranger next to him should look after him while he was screaming or whatever. Craziness....
Have so much fun on your trip!!!
Oh my....I, unlike you, would have had trouble keeping those thoughts about the flight attendant in my head :) Good luck on your trip! I'm sure your cousin is SO grateful for you and your help! Be safe!
You have a blog too!
We're finally in the house now! Yippee!
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