When do I become AC's problem?
016 ticket, YHZ-EWR-ATL. United, being United, overbooked the entire Newark airport, so the first flight went from officially on time departure[1], with a late arrival, to a later arrival, to a later arrival, to not even taking off until 6 AM. Finally breaking down to using the phone, I call up UA and get rebooked on 619/7548 around 1655 local. Escorted out of US Preclearence because most of the GA's are occupied getting yelled at and/or begging people to return their duty free so everyone else can be escorted out of the US area.
Re-clear security (shoes on for DOM, yay!), head to the gate, but no A/C. Head upstairs[2] and power a couple of doubles into me[3]. See the A/C arrive directly below me, and head downstairs. The very nice concierge[4] waves me over and hands me something better than GTE, regular GA peon scans my passport.
Thunderstorms in Toronto! Yay! Departure delayed 1 hour. AC 7548? Not even EF[5] knows if it is also delayed. I now have -5 minutes to make that connection, which has been long enough in the past.
Back upstairs[2]. The [4] already helping someone else[6], but this is more important than sundries[7]. "Nothing else for Atlanta tonight". Duh, I knew that at noon, before I left the house. Secured on a backup at 0-dark-hundred out of YYZ, and Toronto black-suits[4] will get me a hotel room, if needed. To the bar! First: tomato impregnated olive oil bisque which someone thinks is salad! And FT!
To be continued...?
When in this saga did I become AC's problem? Should I have fired off an FYI to someone who is well overdue for a Booster Juice GC[9] at noon before I left the house when I was but 016 and UA confirmed? 1 when the GA pulled[1] on me?
Between then but before literally GoC[10] employees made me take off my shoes (compromising our sovereignty) ? At the first (actually, second) delay?
Should I hope that 7548 isn't delayed and AC needs to bill United because they overbook an entire airport?
[1] But I work at the airport: contract United TA claimed they were unable to rebook me on AC metal (via YYZ) when I checked in at around 1300.
[2] MLL[2.1]
[2.1] Maple Leaf Lounge
[3] no pickles or edamame, still the old coffee machine (only coffee remains), and standard issue cucumber flavored olive oil soup)
[4] Ball-washer, for any Lewis Black fans
[5] Expertflyer.com
[6] DYKWIA?
[7] Black. Johnny Walker Black
[8] Concierge[4]
[9] Gift card.
[10] Government of Canada
Last edited by RangerNS; Jun 19, 2017 at 10:23 am
Reason: Don't know my own airport code