Not to get political, MDR, but if a certain halfwit hadn’t mouthed off about not paying the federal employees who are working uncompensated (because his brown-lipped disciples are punishing the American people by cutting off the government’s operating funds), then maybe the well-oiled machine that is the airline industry wouldn’t be in such a mess. And maybe fewer Newark air traffic controllers would have called off sick. And maybe 3 of the 4 of us would not be sitting in the United lounge, still in Cleveland, killing time waiting for our delayed flight. (At least, there’s free food and beverages to lessen the stress.)
I say 3 of 4 because there was one stand-by seat available on an earlier-but-also-delayed Newark flight and we were the first four passengers on the waiting list. It was decided that Nancy should seize the opportunity and scout out our chances when (if?) we arrive later.
And our chances are a bit slim. We land at one terminal and have to be transported across the airport to another one that United’s app says is a 20 minute trip. With just short of an hour between our delayed landing time and our Lisbon departure time, the optimism that seems all-pervasive among United employees, both human and AI, may be a bit exaggerated.
We leave the lounge and boarding is to begin. Peg decides to run with a suggestion that came our way via Nancy:
While Peg failed to secure a private cart much less a wheel chair in Newark, she had made a friend. The Cleveland agent, who was preparing to board anyone requiring special assistance, told her to go ahead and board (even tho’ she was in Group 5) and that her husband (me) and other male friend (Rob) should as well. We three practically danced down the gangway as the first three passengers to board!
Long story short: our departure is delayed even further by a minor speaker issue. Then we wait for Newark to OK our takeoff. Upon reaching Newark air space, we are put into a projected 15-minute holding pattern. Eventually we land.
And, even though the story continued on this day, I have decided to conclude it on tomorrow’s blog page.
Portugal: Lisbão to Oporto 