Our take-off was only delayed about 1/2 hour, and when we reached our travel altitude we were informed that headsets would be sold for $5 to watch the in-flight movie (I had seen it), and that the beverage "service" would begin soon, and that the airline was pleased to offer a selection of "gourmet" snacks for purchase. The air temperature was cold (the fan controls were broken) and a passenger was informed that pillows and blankets were no longer available on domestic flights.
Note to self...as I did this time, always remember to bring a blow-up neck brace pillow and a warm sweater in your carry-on!!!
The attendants "charged" out from the galley with their cart hitting my elbow and leg as the aisle was nearly as narrow as the seat legroom! No apologies were offered. As the attendants and their cart returned from the front of the plane, with each couple of rows, less beverage selection remained. By the row in front of mine they ran out of everything but water and hot tea! (note that on the next leg of the trip I went back to the galley, dehydrated, and when I mentioned the story to the attendant, I was scolded..."it's always about you...the passengers...this is my break time..." as she tossed me a bottled water!
Note to self...as I did this time, always remember to bring a blow-up neck brace pillow and a warm sweater in your carry-on!!!
The attendants "charged" out from the galley with their cart hitting my elbow and leg as the aisle was nearly as narrow as the seat legroom! No apologies were offered. As the attendants and their cart returned from the front of the plane, with each couple of rows, less beverage selection remained. By the row in front of mine they ran out of everything but water and hot tea! (note that on the next leg of the trip I went back to the galley, dehydrated, and when I mentioned the story to the attendant, I was scolded..."it's always about you...the passengers...this is my break time..." as she tossed me a bottled water!
Note to self...TRY not book reservations on American Airlines...or one of their soon to be merged other airlines!!!
We landed at JFK late at about 5:00 PM, at the furthest gate from the next departure gate, so by the time I exited from the rear of the plane, I had just enough time to arrive to board the next flight at 5:45 PM.
Once again I was at the rear of the plane, in a seat with no leg room, but with a plastic-encased pillow, blanket, and headset, and individual entertainment screens! Again, the flight was full, and the attendants had not improved for this international leg! Five movies, three tiny meals, and a glass of wine later, and after 7 hours (5 hour time change), we arrived at London Heathrow...
Now the rush to the World Alliance British Air connection...RUN the length of one terminal...descend to the lower level... hop on a bus...wisk while being tossed along with the other passengers from side to side to another terminal...ascend and go thru a security check point...run the length of that terminal and descend to a "people mover train" to yet another terminal...ascend thru a security check points while repacking my carry-on small containers of liquids into provided plastic zip-lock bags and then thru Passport Control...and finally RUN to the LAST gate of that terminal to arrive 1.45 hours after landing, for the final boarding call of the flight to Amsterdam! I was winded and my clothes were soaked from sweat as I entered yet another chilled cabin! Little did I suspect where my luggage was headed...
Note to self...make every effort to not connect thru Heathrow Airport!!!
The flight was in an OLD and broken jet (so much for my previous "like" of British Air!) with attendants modeled after the new U.S. domestic variety, some in-flight cartoons, and a small snack of British "cuisine"!
Yeah...22 hours after departing my home, I had arrived in Amsterdam! Happily, we did not have to go thru Customs again as we were in the European Union, so I headed directly for the luggage pick-up. I was so tired that I could barely locate the carousel number on the screen. 1.25 hours after arriving at the designated carousel, the first piece of luggage arrived. Luggage continued to SLOWLY come out for the next 2 hours and then it stopped...and my suitcase was not there!
Luckily there was no language difference as I spoke to the airport rep...my itinerary, luggage claim number and contact information were taken..."We will locate your luggage, but it might take a few days...where will you be in two days?"..."In town overnight with friends, boarding a ship at noon and departing at 4 PM the next day...and then a sea day, before arriving in La Rochelle France in 3 days!"..."We will phone, e-mail and "text" you once we locate it (oh boy...with no "roaming" plan for the international cell phone use!) , and will get it to you wherever you are! Here are some toilet accessories and a sleeping t-shirt as a gift!"
Then I used the agent's phone to call my friend who had taken off from his executive job, and was waiting outside of the "secured" exit for 4 hours, wondering what had happened to me!!!
My luggage had arrived in Stockholm on KLM Airlines!
Note to self...take a few change of clothes along with all irreproachable personal items and travel paperwork in the carry-on...BECAUSE if you have international connections today, there is a high incidence of lost luggage, and I was to later learn, an even greater chance with British Air thru Heathrow!!!
Now...off to my friends' home for a shower, a change of clothes into an outfit borrowed (my friend is about the same size!), lunch, and a drop-off in-town to meet my travel friends at the Van Gogh Museum!
We landed at JFK late at about 5:00 PM, at the furthest gate from the next departure gate, so by the time I exited from the rear of the plane, I had just enough time to arrive to board the next flight at 5:45 PM.
Once again I was at the rear of the plane, in a seat with no leg room, but with a plastic-encased pillow, blanket, and headset, and individual entertainment screens! Again, the flight was full, and the attendants had not improved for this international leg! Five movies, three tiny meals, and a glass of wine later, and after 7 hours (5 hour time change), we arrived at London Heathrow...
Now the rush to the World Alliance British Air connection...RUN the length of one terminal...descend to the lower level... hop on a bus...wisk while being tossed along with the other passengers from side to side to another terminal...ascend and go thru a security check point...run the length of that terminal and descend to a "people mover train" to yet another terminal...ascend thru a security check points while repacking my carry-on small containers of liquids into provided plastic zip-lock bags and then thru Passport Control...and finally RUN to the LAST gate of that terminal to arrive 1.45 hours after landing, for the final boarding call of the flight to Amsterdam! I was winded and my clothes were soaked from sweat as I entered yet another chilled cabin! Little did I suspect where my luggage was headed...
Note to self...make every effort to not connect thru Heathrow Airport!!!
The flight was in an OLD and broken jet (so much for my previous "like" of British Air!) with attendants modeled after the new U.S. domestic variety, some in-flight cartoons, and a small snack of British "cuisine"!
Yeah...22 hours after departing my home, I had arrived in Amsterdam! Happily, we did not have to go thru Customs again as we were in the European Union, so I headed directly for the luggage pick-up. I was so tired that I could barely locate the carousel number on the screen. 1.25 hours after arriving at the designated carousel, the first piece of luggage arrived. Luggage continued to SLOWLY come out for the next 2 hours and then it stopped...and my suitcase was not there!
Luckily there was no language difference as I spoke to the airport rep...my itinerary, luggage claim number and contact information were taken..."We will locate your luggage, but it might take a few days...where will you be in two days?"..."In town overnight with friends, boarding a ship at noon and departing at 4 PM the next day...and then a sea day, before arriving in La Rochelle France in 3 days!"..."We will phone, e-mail and "text" you once we locate it (oh boy...with no "roaming" plan for the international cell phone use!) , and will get it to you wherever you are! Here are some toilet accessories and a sleeping t-shirt as a gift!"
Then I used the agent's phone to call my friend who had taken off from his executive job, and was waiting outside of the "secured" exit for 4 hours, wondering what had happened to me!!!
My luggage had arrived in Stockholm on KLM Airlines!
Note to self...take a few change of clothes along with all irreproachable personal items and travel paperwork in the carry-on...BECAUSE if you have international connections today, there is a high incidence of lost luggage, and I was to later learn, an even greater chance with British Air thru Heathrow!!!
Now...off to my friends' home for a shower, a change of clothes into an outfit borrowed (my friend is about the same size!), lunch, and a drop-off in-town to meet my travel friends at the Van Gogh Museum!
No comments:
Post a Comment