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View Full Version : Trip Report - Broken Planes & Why Ray is MEAN!


WillFlyToDisney2
01-03-2005, 06:16 PM
CHS-ATL-BNA

I was upgraded to First on both legs of my flight - unusual since there are so many other commuters out of CHS with Platinum and Gold status that the lowly Silvers like me never get bumped up. The flight itself was a "non-event" and we took off, cruised and landed. I grabbed a quick bite to eat in ATL and checked out the Bath & Body Works sale then headed to my connection on another MD-88. I took my seat in First and settled in while we pushed back. Every single time I have flown out of ATL I have taken off on the same runway. To the right of the plane you see the hangars where they are repairing the planes (sometimes they have the wind tunnel on - which is cool to watch the plumes of smoke/steam twirl out of the vents on top of the building). I was on the left side of the plane so I was watching the runway and all of the different planes taking off. Just before us there was a "heavy" plane (looked like a 767 to me) and he barrelled down the runway taking off. Our plane turned the corner to line up with the runway and didnt stop but accelerated to take off. I KNEW what was ahead and braced myself for the WAKE TURBULENCE (it shook us pretty bad). Once we were up and away from that it smoothed out a bit and before we knew it we were descending into BNA.

Yesterday I rush to the airport and turn in my rental car and go to check in. The Medallion/First Class line was the shortest one so I jumped in that only to wait FOREVER then get the grumpiest Delta guy I have encountered in a long time. He goes to check me in, weighs my luggage (2 lbs under limit) and asks me which flight I was on out of Nashville. (Umm I had already handed him my ID and he had looked it up...) so I said "the one to ATL". He asks me several more dumb questions (WHICH flight to ATL? Was I traveling to CHS?, etc...) then tells me that he gets to inform me that my flight has been cancelled because there is a broken windshield on the plane. Okay.... He tries to re-book me on a USAir flight with a long layover in CLT and I refused. I told him I wanted a Delta flight (miles, medallion upgrades, etc...) thru ATL or CVG so he miraculously found me space on a flight out at 5:15PM thru CVG putting me home at 10:16pm. Fine. After a few more "discussions" about first class upgrades and the Crown Room then I called a friend to pick me up from the airport so we could do lunch.

On the way I called Mark to tell him about my flight changes and he said "guess what?". Mark then proceeds to tell me that CAPTAIN RAY :ray had been in Nashville overnite for NEW YEARS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :huff Okay, Ray, how MEAN is that??? If you stayed where most of the pilots stay you were 4 BLOCKS from me :bateyes and SHILOH :band on New Years Eve AND I had ONE extra comp ticket that nite!

So I show back up at the airport after shopping and a hearty lunch at Macaroni Grille only to find out our flight was delayed. I could see my MD-88 parked off to the side (my original plane with the broken windshield). It looked so sad and lonely... :cry Our 737-200 finally arrives and we board and push back about 15 minutes late. I scored one of the first class seats and sat next to a very dashing gentleman that worked for the NFL. He was in town for the Titans game and was heading back home to Kansas City. He told the FA that he was going to offer his seat to a soldier that would be boarding our flight. When the soldier got on the man stood up and told the young man that he wanted to offer him the first class seat but the soldier refused but thanked the man. He said it was his pleasure to be in the military and he didnt need any special treatment but he did appreciate the offer. I think all of us in First class teared up!

We finally push back in the pouring rain and head up into the bumpy sky. I do not like flying at nite and esp not in clouds so I just turned my head from the window, popped in the Ipod and enjoyed my Ginger Ale in a GLASS for the 37 minute flight. We arrive at CVG and I head to Outback (yes they have an OUTBACK in Terminal B) to enjoy one last good meal on the expense account. My filet mignon arrived and luckily was very tender since I was only given a butter knife to cut it with.... Ah, the airport rules...

I rushed over to Terminal C to connect with my Comair flight home to CHS. The idiot agent from BNA had put me in an AISLE seat in the back of the plane (next to the smelly lavatory) but I did luck out and had an empty seat next to me (one of only 2 empties on the plane). I angled my vent so that I got a blast of air instead of the stinky potty smell. We pushback and head towards the runway then all of the sudden we turn and head to the back of the airport terminals and stop. A maintenance truck pulls up and the maint man climbs onboard. The pilot made an announcement that there were some "technical difficulties" with one of the systems on the plane and that maint was going to have to reset them. 30 minutes later maintenance climbs off the plane and the pilot said that once the paperwork was done we would be on our way. We were 45 minutes late taking off but only landed 15 minutes late in CHS (he hauled BUTT!). The CRJ flight was constant light chop until right outside of CHS. As I was deplaning I asked the FA what system it was that needed to be reset and she said the "scheduling system". The Capt heard her talking to me and called to her and scolded her for telling me specifics. Hmmmmmmmmmm.........

So I am home again but in a deep depression :cry because I didnt get to meet Ray! :ray

Hope everyone had a great NEW YEARS!!!
Kelley

Chelle
01-04-2005, 11:24 PM
Yikes, sounds like quite an adventure! :eek

And you handled it with your usual aplomb, good for you :)

As for you, Mr. RAY! :nag

beaugest
01-05-2005, 11:54 PM
Kelley, great story...
Ray!!! You missed Shiloh???They are some cute looking young men...ok...probably not the right incentive for you...but Kelley is a blast so make sure you meet her next time!!! Mon

Passenger Mark
01-06-2005, 04:55 PM
Hey Kel,

Welcome home! Sorry your flights were such a pain in the tush. But it goes to show that although air travel may be a hassle, it is safe!

Good report!

Mark

WillFlyToDisney2
01-06-2005, 10:46 PM
Yeah Mon, the guys ARE cute. Also good to remember that the vast majority of people at a Shiloh show are cute girls! (Ray is that better??) There's something for EVERYONE!

And of course, I am there! I'm fun! :wired

Maybe next time...

Kelley

Debbielevis2
01-06-2005, 10:55 PM
I just thought of something ---

Maybe Ray's afraid of Fearful Flyers, so he keeps away from them.

Hm-m-m another kinda fear to ponder.

Deb

WillFlyToDisney2
01-07-2005, 02:54 AM
I bet you are right, Deb. Ray must have FOFF.

Psst, Ray, I promise I am not super nutso for Pilots :ray like I pretend to be on the board. I'm practically harmless, really... :wired I have references! Mark, Ken, Monica, Jeff??

Kelley

CaptainStark
01-08-2005, 12:40 AM
Sorry Kelley,

My wife puts something in my food that makes me fall asleep at 8pm.:) She must do it to keep me out of trouble!:shocked

I would have slowed you down and spoiled the evening.

Better luck next time.

Ray:ray