As some of you may know I took some time off this week to head to Vegas. Of course, Vegas rocked! How can it not? But, what was more exhausting than the drinking from eight in the morning through the night, and endlessly walking the strip from casino to casino was by far the traveling.
I took F-something Airlines and instead of taking the suggestion of an awesome flight attendant and writing a letter to the CEO of the airlines, I've decided to write a blog on the experience.
We were delayed on our departure to Denver from the Springs where we took a prop-plane from our airport to Stapleton. The whole 16 minute flight was like a scene out of Indiana Jones...and the theme song would not get out of my head. Once we landed in Denver, and I peeled my nails out of the arm rest, it was a two hour delay to Vegas so we sat at a bar for drinks. What else do you do during a layover right? Well, overpriced, watered down bloody Mary's just don't do it for me. My suggestion at the bars at the airport...stick to beer. At least you know you're getting the alcohol content you're paying for.
Our flight to Vegas finally arrived, which added to the confusion of the boarding attendant as she was anticipating the flight to Portland instead and Oh My God...if you can't handle the job maybe you should look into another line of work. That's all I have to say about that one. So, we get on the plane, right next to an eight year old hellion who's mother was actually arguing with him instead of just laying it down so, here we are with sassy-butt and the catalyst mommy and of course, he sat right across from us. Yay!
We did make it to Vegas only four hours later than expected and all I know is when there's a round of applause from the cabin after a landing you should look into your flying techniques. I've always been told that doing the 'dolphin' style landing is more appreciated in stunt-flying, not commerical jets, and should probably be saved for that occasion.
Now we're in the city of sin and it's everything you can expect and more. This part of the vacation was a no brainer. You pretty much make your own fun there. We gambled, saw a show, took a limo and rode in a helicopter. The food was amazing, the women were beautiful and yes, some things really do stay in Vegas. Everthing you'd expect in Dirty Vegas but, we still had to leave.
Yeah, we thought the flight to Vegas was taxing...we hadn't seen anything yet.
We got to the airport an hour earlier than our departure time which was lucky to say the least since our pre-paid shuttle decided they weren't picking up anymore passengers that hour which left us paying for a cab. More advice to you...skip the prepaid shuttle.
So standing at the counter we place our bag on the scale. We only had one bag between the two of us in order to save on baggage costs. One bag is $15, the second is $25. We can deal with the $15 charge but our bag was 20 pounds overweight. Now, here's what I don't understand and what truly set my mood for the rest of the trip. All passengers are allowed a check in bag at 50 pounds. There were two of us traveling with one bag at 70 pounds and they were ready to tack on a $75 charge for the excess weight. Three times the amount of the two bag cost!!! We asked the check-in representative how it is that two people can have two bags at 50 pounds a bag for a total weight of 100 pounds but two people traveling with one bag at 70 pounds is going to get charged $75? That sounds a little to me like double dipping but it's a great racket for the 'Everything's $10' store that we ended up purchasing a carry-on bag from to hold the addtional 20 pounds of stuff we had to take out of our one check in bag. So the weight went from the belly of the plane to the overhead. I guess it's all about weight displacement right?
If the CEO of F-something Airlines just happens to read this...yeah, ok...I would love an explanation to that one cause I don get it and seriously...I'm calling Shenanigan's.
Because I report the news everyday, when I'm on vacation I don't watch TV, listen to the radio or read the newspaper. So, I had no idea that the day before our departure the Continential flight had crashed in DIA. Well, it didn't really matter because according to the inept boarding attendant in the Vegas airport our flight was delayed an hour due to weather. At least that's what he told us. Once again it's time to hit the bar and wait with Bud and Weiser and the other delayed travelers just itching to get home. As we were waiting it was announced that our flight was now delayed for two hours which made it to where our connecting flight was going to be at least two passengers lighter.
Five drinks, a pizza and two hours later our plane made it in. We spoke briefly to the attendant asking what other connecting flights from Denver to the Springs we may be able to take. His answer to us...'why don't you just drive?' Well that's a novel idea Captain Obvious but our vehicle is in the Springs. Are you paying for the cab ride? I didn't think so. We're off to a grand start. Now I think that if you're going to tell the paying passengers that the flight was delayed due to weather you should coordinate your story with the other employees because the pilot went on to tell us we were delayed due to mechanical issues in Chicago. I remember a game show called 'To Tell The Truth'. I think both of them lost. Needless to say I went unconscious for the short flight from Vegas to Denver which sucked cause I so looked forward to spending three dollars for two ounces of pretzels.
We finally landed in Denver! Only to deplane and get right into the F-something Airlines Customer Service counter line that kept us standing there for two hours. Apparently we were lucky. Another passenger had the same experience only she waited three hours in line and missed four connecting flights as a result. Merry Christmas to her. I do have to commend the reps at DIA for their patience because they were dealing with a perpetual line and they were as accomodating as humanly possible. We got our flight to the Springs and a food voucher that took some of the pain away...mainly in my stomach. The difficult time was over.
Home James!! One more flight in an Indiana Jones style prop-engine plane only this time it was a lot more pleasant and I base that on the wonderful attitudes of the two flight attendants that made us feel so much better about the entire event. They were the ones that told us of the tragic Continential flight which I have to say put it into persepective after all was said and done. We made it home safe which we took for granted regardless of the cycle of events that took place. I have come to a realization with this latest travel excursion. Prepare for the worst. You're going to pay outrageous amounts for baggage. Know that some attendants would be better off working at a less stressful position and be ready for them to NOT be able to handle even the most basic of events. If the airline doesn't want to cover your missed connections due to their mechanical issues be ready for them to lie to you. And don't order the bloody Mary's at the airport bars unless you really don't like the taste of Vodka.
Other than the travel my Vegas vacation was as sinful and wonderful as I knew it would be. I have to admit that I missed my job and my listeners and I'm thankful to be home safe and sound to celebrate this Christmas with my friends and family and my thoughts go out to those who may not be so safe and sound this holiday season.
Thanks for reading my rant. I'd love to hear about your travel fiasco's...or even your greatest vacation ever! So please, write me back and try to do what I have a hard time doing...make the best of every situation.
~W~
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