Airports, waitings, headaches
Alarm clock wake-up at 4 a.m.
Foggy, solemn ride to Boston.
After a early morning, teary-eyed goodbye, I boarded my 6:40 a.m. flight to Chicago. Arriving at 8:15 in Chicago, I was set to depart by 9:30 to Bozeman. The gate was packed with people, and the standby list was long.
“If anyone would be willing to volunteer their seat, United Airlines will compensate you with $400 transferable credit for airfare, redeemable within the next year. Please come to the podium if you are willing to give up your seat.”
I had been sitting at the gate wondering what I would do with my enormous backpack all day in Bozeman. No money for a hotel, and no promising couchsurfing offers yet. So the opportunity seemed perfect. I had nothing to do in Bozeman from 11 a.m., so I could easily do just the same nothing here in the airport. And if I surrendered my seat, I could help pay for Meren’s visit out to Yellowstone in the fall. I approached the podium, and surrendered.
The next flight would be at noon, flying to Denver, then changing planes and continuing on to Bozeman. I would reach my final destination at 4 p.m.
Fine.
And I would fly first class. Comfortable! I’ve never flown first class. I wonder what that’ll be like…
Of course nothing worked out as easy as it was supposed to. I saw my original flight to Bozeman take off at 9:30, then I walked to my new gate. Thus began the waiting game. The 12:01 departure turned into 1:00, then 1:30, then 2:0o, and finally 2:40. Realizing that I would miss my connection in Denver to Bozeman, I again approached the podium. I was assured that I’d have a first class seat on the next flight out of Denver to Bozeman… at 6:40 p.m., arriving at 8:16. Yikes. But life goes on. I’m in no rush. I rather like sitting in airports and watching people. Frustrated, a man in his 50′s came up next to me at the podium and started venting to me about how he is a businessman and he loses money when things like this “jam [him] up.” He was clearly not a businessman. I suspected by his tattered clothing, hardened skin, and Vietnam war vet hat that he was not a businessman at all. When he told me he had a million dollar contract waiting for him in Denver that wouldn’t wait for a delayed flight, my suspicion seemed correct. I told him I had a million dollar contract waiting for me in Bozeman, and that my contract would wait. He walked away, sensing my lack of appreciation for outrageous stories in the name of frustration.
At 2:45, I boarded the plane to Denver. Seat 1F. The first seat, in first class. Comfy seats! I fell asleep immediately.
I woke up in the air next to a woman in a pilot uniform. She was recieving her lunch.
“Would you like some lunch, miss?” the flight attendent asked.
“Um, yes. Please. I’ll have what she has.”
This was what she had:
First class lunch
Amazing! First class was luxurious. I felt guilty being treated so bourgeois. After eating my lunch, I asked the woman next to me if she is a pilot. She said she was. I told her I want to be a flight attendant one day. She said I would be a great flight attendant because I am nice and polite. She told me how to apply and tips for making my application desireable. She also urged me to apply for United/Continental, as they, she said, give the best hours and benefits.
One day…
I am in Denver now, waiting for my 6:40 flight to Bozeman. I was lucky enough to arrange a last minute Couchsurfing stay, and the man Brad, said he would pick me up at the airport tonight and I will have my own room. Him and his wife are currently hosting a Russion Couchsurfer, so I think it will be an interesting night. I am so grateful for their help, as I couldn’t imagine doing much of anything for myself tonight. I’m exhausted. I’m looking forward to some well deserved sleep. Then tomorrow, I’m off to my first day of work at Yellowstone.
