Air Travel Snafu--A Rant

Northwest definitely deserves its title of Northworst. Today's fiasco proved it. The only thing I am thankful for is that I thought there might be issues when I booked the ticket, and thus, gave myself an extra day in case one was needed--it was.

• Board the plane at 1:45 for a 2:15 departure. About 2:20 the pilot comes on saying we will be about 15 minutes late getting out, and due to some need to reroute to avoid storms, we would be another 20 minutes delayed. At that point, I wasn't too worried, knowing that I had close to 2 hours between my two flights.
• About 2:30 pilot comes on to tell us that some light came on indicating overheating. They were going to let things cool down, do some sort of thing, and try again. No ETA, but the pilot assured us he didn't think it would take too long. At this point, I lose track of exact time.
• After a bit, pilot informs us that they tried again, and woops, problem still there, so we would be waiting for some part. Sit tight--we'll get out of here. The plane is getting rather warm at this point. Some people appear to be gathering things and leaving. I am getting concerned about missing my connection and being stuck in Minneapolis for the night. There is no announcement of a gate agent coming to help us with connections. Simply no information.
• I decide to ask a flight attendant if there is a gate agent around, and she tells me one should be by the plane door. When I get to the plane door, there are just a bunch of my fellow passengers getting some air. I walk out and ask the gate agent if there is a chance of rebooking. Tells me I'd be lucky if I got out in the next couple of days. Says that the flight attendants want out tonight, so she is sure the plane will eventually leave. Assures me I have better odds rebooking a missed flight out of Minneapolis rather than here.
• Go back to the plane, share my news with others, and then wait. Around 5pm, the pilot comes on to tell us he has bad news. The crew is now illegal and free to go. We were then told we needed to get off the plane. Once I am out (thankful oh so thankful for just having carryons), there is mayhem at the ticket counter. People are jockeying to get up. The surly agent says that she will announce if you've been rebooked, but there is only one name in between others getting help. I decide then to wait on line and get help.
• When I get close to the agent, I wait for over 20 minutes with a doctor getting help (seems doctors are privileged) to get out on a flight. Please--all the doctors there cannot possibly have emergencies. Finally, I get to her and ask if I am rebooked. She tells me my flight that I was supposed to take out of Minneapolis (duh I am not there). Then, she takes my boarding pass, grabs something that prints, tosses them at me, and says here you are.
• And so, a day wasted at the airport and on the plane. Tomorrow I try this again, this time via Detroit.
  
  Wish me luck on Northworst! 
  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit