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LAST EVENING
Back to the suite and did some last minute packing before putting our three checked bags out in the hallway. Off to bed.
TODAY
Rebecca was coughing again last night so could not sleep well again. Rebecca was up at 6am and showered before I got up at 6:30. I had been awake since 4:30 however.
We left the suite at 8:30 to disembark a little early as I got a text from our Blacklane limo driver saying he had arrived. Getting off the ship was easy and our luggage was waiting for us to pick up. I grabbed a porter to take our bags out to meet our driver. We had a very hard time locating him as it was a different driver and license number from was sent to me.
Finally located him and departed for LGA airport at 9:00. Morning traffic was bad but we still managed to arrive at the airport at 9:35. We were second in line for curbside luggage check. Cost $4 per bag but well worth it. Got through TSA pre-check in about 10 minutes. Long walk to our gate however. This is a very nice new terminal from when we were flying trips here over 40 years ago.
FLIGHT FROM HELL
Our flight departed LGA right on time but an hour before we were to land at DFW our Captain announced that due to "communications issues" at DFW all departing flights were being held on the ground there and that all arriving flights were being diverted to other airports. She said we would be landing at Tulsa. And we did at 4pm (the time we were supposed to have landed at DFW)! The delay was thought to last 4 hours at least.
We parked on the ramp and an agent with van came on and said anyone who wanted could leave the airplane but could not return. Many passengers had connecting flights out of DFW. Of course, it was our final destination. Several did leave the airplane. Fuel was added for a flight on to DFW. Two hours later the Captain said we could leave and taxied out to the end of the runway for takeoff. BUT then she said the problem still existed and all flights that had diverted could not takeoff. So back to the gate we went and our flight was canceled.
They said it would continue the next day (today) in the morning but did not know what time. All the bags were unloaded which took an hour. I had called the Hilton Airport Garden Inn and booked a room when on the plane as soon as I heard the flight was canceled.
I asked for a hotel voucher to pay for our room but said we could not have one. Later we got a text message listing 3 hotels that vouchers could be obtained. I had already booked my hotel and plan on sending a letter to American and ask them to repay me. So we'll see.
At the Garden Inn by 7pm and hungry. They have a small restaurant so went there for drinks and split a hamburger. I overheard two young ladies talking about our cancelation so went over and asked if they know when our flight was to depart next day. She said AA reservations was swamped and a call back to her would be in 2 hours. I gave her my phone number and asked her to text me what she found out. On AA's website there was NO information about it. I called AA res and got same 2 hour hold time.
After returning to our room I got on my laptop and finally found that the flight was to depart at 7:30 the next morning. I went back and told the young lady what I discovered.
I was in bed and slept from 9:30 to 1:30am but Rebecca's coughing woke me up and I never went back to sleep. As a worrier, I wanted to confirm that 7:30 was indeed the departure time so I got back on my computer. Back to bed and lying there worrying so at 2:30 I got up and went into the bath room and called AA reservations. They confirmed the 7:30 time.
I had set my alarm for 5:45 but got up and showered at 4:50. I wanted to be on the shuttle by 5:30 and we were. Good thing as no line to recheck our luggage but while doing it a long line developed. No line either at TSA so was at the gate 40 minutes prior to boarding time. I got a couple coffees while waiting. We boarded on time but then the same Captain we had yesterday, announced there would be an hour delay before allowed to takeoff.
Let me step back to yesterday. I had a Blacklane limo scheduled to pick us up at DFW which I was paying $155 for. The driver texted he was there and even called me. I finally had to tell him we were stuck in Tulsa for the night. He said he would call Blacklane to tell them. A half hour later Blacklane called me to confirm what the driver had sail about our flight being canceled. I asked if we would be charged for not showing up and she said we would not. BUT we will have to wait a day or two to find out if we were.
So now we needed someone to pick us up this morning. I texted Mike, our usual guy, and he said he could meet our flight and did.
Problem again this morning as during boarding the Captain announced we would be delayed another hour due to DFW issue. Everyone was very tired of hearing bad news PA's from her. During the wait I went up to the cockpit and introduced myself as a retired AA Captain. We had a nice chat. During that time the agent came on and moved us up to first class seats. Not a big deal as there was no service on such a short flight down to DFW. All this time I was sending Mike text updates about our arrival time and gate.
It was just a 40 minute flight and we were at the gate in DFW (FINALLY!) at 9:15. We went to baggage claim right across from our arrival gate. I went out to the curb to flag down Mike who arrived about 10 minutes later. We still had to wait for our check bags. Finally all loaded up we headed for home. We got back to The Tradition at 10:30 this morning. So happy to finally be home. Mike is an older gentleman and very helpful and nice.
I was tired, and so was Rebecca, if getting very little sleep at nights so called the Urgent Care place to see if they were busy. They gave us a 11:15 appt. We got right in. After being checked over the diagnosis was "acute bronchitis". They sent two prescription in and gave her a steroid shot. One script was for antibiotic and can't remember what the other was. Said the steroid should give her cough relief quickly and it has.
SUMMARY
By now your tired of reading about our flight home. BUT we did really enjoy the cruise despite Rebecca coughing the last 10 days of it. Not sure why but she seems to get a cold on every cruise we go on. We both REALLY liked this ship, the Splendor. It has to be our favorite Regent ship. Why? Because the suites were so quiet. We loved and knew many of the crew who were so nice and attentive. I dread getting on the scales tomorrow morning because the food was so good and I know I ate too much of it.
I hope you have enjoyed my blog. Yes, there will more to come. You will receive links to future cruises prior.
