Yesterday I flew from COR to SCL to JFK. The actual flights were fine (economy from COR--there is no J--and J to JFK. Service on board was efficient (not great but acceptable). However the transit in SCL was a nightmare.

The flight from Cordoba had mechanical issues (that happens as we all know) and left about an hour and half late. (BTW, I need to compliment the gate agents at COR who assuring this lost traveler that if it seemed like I would miss the connection that they would protect me.) It was due to arrive at 21:20 and actually touched down at about 22:10 (there is an hour time difference). The good news was that the flight from SCL to JFK had been rescheduled last week from 23:00 to 23:20. So there still was plenty of time to make the transit. However, that was when the "fun" began.

First the plane taxied all over the field, making several U-turns and retracing its path. Then it finally stopped. No jetway, steps. But the steps didn't arrive for about 10 minutes after we stopped. The door finally opened and I ran down the steps only to find that, rather than a typical air transit bus, there was a regular tour bus waiting for us. Of course that slowed down the process since everyone had to climb on the bus with their carry-on, walk the aisle and find a seat.

Finally the bus was full and we left for the terminal. The bus drove around a bit and dropped us off by some glass doors in the arriving passenger area. Surprise, the doors were locked. Everyone trying to make a tight connection started pounding on the doors, several maintenance people looked at us but no one would let us in.

About 10 minutes later a LAN employee finally let us in and the race to the plane (and clear the additional transit security) began. The good news is that I made the connection (especially considering that the NY airports may be closed tomorrow due to a predicted blizzard).

Look. Stuff happens when you travel. We learn to live with it. But when something does go wrong, you hope the carrier will work to alleviate the problem, not add to it. LAN failed that test yesterday.