Day 1

Day 1: Monday, June 22, 2009

My trip started smoothly enough, but became one of the longest and most frustrating days that I can remember. I left home at 4:45am to catch the MARC train for DC. The cab to take me to the train station was right on time, so I caught the MARC train without a hitch. I used the time constructively, so the ride passed quickly. At Washington's Union Station I had to transfer to the train going to Baltimore. No problem. We arrived at the BWI station right on time and the free shuddle bus was already there and waiting. Super. The bus zipped to the BWI airport terminal in 10 minutes. Wow, this is amazing! I was so early.

Now, here is where things start to fall apart. I was to catch the 10:30am AirTran flight to Boston, but it was cancelled due to bad weather. The AirTran people scrambled to rebook everyone. I was rebooked on AirTran's 5:30pm flight. Not good. I was to catch the 2:30pm Icelandair flight out of Boston. Obviously, this created a major problem. Since the AirTran flight wasn't connected to the Icelandair flight, it was up to me to rectify the problem with Icelandair. Problem is, I didn't have a cell phone and the pay phones wouldn't let me call Icelandair's 800 number. I convinced the AirTran counter to let me use their phone and proceeded to call. I had a problem getting through on the first call. On the second call I just about had everything worked out when I got disconnected. On the third call I got rebooked, but at great expense to me. So much for the great price I originally got. Icelandair rebooked me on their 9:30pm overnight flight. Ok, I can deal with this. I would still make it and wouldn't lose a day.

So at this point, I waste the day in BWI airport much like Tom Hanks in that movie. I broke down and purchased Wi-Fi Internet service so I could pass the time. To satisfy my curiosity, I determined the original AirTran flight originates in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, so it must be there that they had the bad weather. I also determined the new AirTran flight was local, so that made me feel better about the prospect of getting out of BWI at 5:30pm.

Now comes afternoon and we're getting closer to flight time. We're told by AirTran that Boston controllers are holding all flights bound for Boston due to high winds in that area. The 5:30pm flight is now estimated to depart at 9pm or so. This doesn't work because that would put us in Boston after 10pm. So once again I need to rebook with Icelandair. For some reason, this is no easy task. I get the impression they only have one person who answers the 800 number. Fortunately, a woman with AirTran called the Icelandair ticket desk at Boston Logan and got me on their 2:30pm flight the next day. Not great, but immediate problem resolved.

6pm: We're told Boston controllers are letting flights go and we'll now be leaving at 7:00pm. Finally some good news. It's like being told the inmates are being parolled from BWI airport. Yeah. Now I start to wonder if I can get back on Icelandair's 9:30pm flight.

I'm happy to report our flight did take off at 7:00pm, we landed in Boston at 8:25pm, and I was able get rebooked onto Icelandair's 9:30pm flight bound for Iceland. What a nightmare of a day! Not a good start.

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Part of trip: Around the World 2009

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