What’s your best “I can’t believe that I made that flight” story?
Jul 17, 2019, 11:39 am
#106
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 273
Two incidents:
1- Flying SFO-LHR on Virgin Atlantic, I decide to take BART to SFO. Only a carry-on, I've got plenty of time, so no worries right? As the train gets close to Colma everyone hears a loud crash and the train jolts to a stop. Turns out a tree has fallen onto the train! We receive word that the train can't move any more and they need to troubleshoot. Uh oh. About 30 minutes pass and we hear that they plan to shuffle everyone to the cars in front of the damaged ones, drive another train back to us, couple it, and then drag us the rest of the way to the station. We're now at 2 hours before departure. Everyone sits around for another 30 minutes. The power goes out. I begin to doubt that I'm going to make the flight. The rescue train arrives, but they have to drive it at 10mph for safety reasons. I get a cab to SFO from the station and sprint to the check-in desk, get my passport checked, rush through security. Gate area is totally empty but the doors are wide open. Turns out ATC announced a ground stop at the tail end of boarding so they never closed the doors! Whew.
2 - Self-connect XXX-HKG-TPE transferring to Cathay Pacific. I was stupid and forgot to get the connecting boarding pass pre-printed and there's a long line at the transfer desk. It's moving quickly though—and then I get stuck behind some poor guy whose itinerary is obviously three kinds of screwed up. There's only one person manning the transfer desk. The line grows longer and longer. About 40 minutes before my connecting flight, I spy that the immigration queue has completely cleared. I scribble out a landing card and told them that I need to go see the ticketing desk. Thank god they didn't bat an eye. I enter HK for about 10 minutes, get my BP, go back through immigration, and get to my gate about 15 minutes before departure.
1- Flying SFO-LHR on Virgin Atlantic, I decide to take BART to SFO. Only a carry-on, I've got plenty of time, so no worries right? As the train gets close to Colma everyone hears a loud crash and the train jolts to a stop. Turns out a tree has fallen onto the train! We receive word that the train can't move any more and they need to troubleshoot. Uh oh. About 30 minutes pass and we hear that they plan to shuffle everyone to the cars in front of the damaged ones, drive another train back to us, couple it, and then drag us the rest of the way to the station. We're now at 2 hours before departure. Everyone sits around for another 30 minutes. The power goes out. I begin to doubt that I'm going to make the flight. The rescue train arrives, but they have to drive it at 10mph for safety reasons. I get a cab to SFO from the station and sprint to the check-in desk, get my passport checked, rush through security. Gate area is totally empty but the doors are wide open. Turns out ATC announced a ground stop at the tail end of boarding so they never closed the doors! Whew.
2 - Self-connect XXX-HKG-TPE transferring to Cathay Pacific. I was stupid and forgot to get the connecting boarding pass pre-printed and there's a long line at the transfer desk. It's moving quickly though—and then I get stuck behind some poor guy whose itinerary is obviously three kinds of screwed up. There's only one person manning the transfer desk. The line grows longer and longer. About 40 minutes before my connecting flight, I spy that the immigration queue has completely cleared. I scribble out a landing card and told them that I need to go see the ticketing desk. Thank god they didn't bat an eye. I enter HK for about 10 minutes, get my BP, go back through immigration, and get to my gate about 15 minutes before departure.
Jul 22, 2019, 12:12 am
#107
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SFO, JFK/LGA, SEA
Programs: Alaska 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, *A Gold w/ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 815
A couple here:
First was a TLV => EWR => SFO connecting itinerary. TLV => EWR was delayed 2.5 hours, which seemed fine at first b/c I could still make the last flight of that night to SFO. However, the TSA checkpoint was staffed by... 1 person and had to deal with the ~300 mostly connecting passengers from TLV! With 15 minutes before departure I started showing people my boarding pass and cut as far as possible to the front; had to run to the gate where they closed the door behind me.
The other was my fault; I had 4 too many margaritas after an interview at the Frontera Grill in Chicago; hopped on the metro and... passed out right away. Woke up with the train having already turned around; I got off and on a train back to ORD. But at this point I'd only get there 25 minutes before departure for my flight (last of the night); with a Final Exam the next day and a blizzard due to hit ORD that day. United being United; I ran to the departure board to see it had been delayed 1 hour! Managed to even grab Cubano sandwiches at Tortas Frontera on my way out!
Is there a thread like this for worst delays we've ever encountered?
First was a TLV => EWR => SFO connecting itinerary. TLV => EWR was delayed 2.5 hours, which seemed fine at first b/c I could still make the last flight of that night to SFO. However, the TSA checkpoint was staffed by... 1 person and had to deal with the ~300 mostly connecting passengers from TLV! With 15 minutes before departure I started showing people my boarding pass and cut as far as possible to the front; had to run to the gate where they closed the door behind me.
The other was my fault; I had 4 too many margaritas after an interview at the Frontera Grill in Chicago; hopped on the metro and... passed out right away. Woke up with the train having already turned around; I got off and on a train back to ORD. But at this point I'd only get there 25 minutes before departure for my flight (last of the night); with a Final Exam the next day and a blizzard due to hit ORD that day. United being United; I ran to the departure board to see it had been delayed 1 hour! Managed to even grab Cubano sandwiches at Tortas Frontera on my way out!
Is there a thread like this for worst delays we've ever encountered?
Jul 25, 2019, 8:49 pm
#108
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GIG - YYC - SVO
Programs: Lost it all and don't care
Posts: 945
Running down the jetway in MSP yelling "don't close the door" as they are closing the door. I made it. The last flight that night to YYC.
Ran from one end of the terminal where I had just landed, to catch this flight. Didn't think I had it in me......and I didn't.
It took me 5 minutes to collect myself once in the seat. I probably looked like that woman in the IKEA commercial running from the store yelling "start the car".
Ran from one end of the terminal where I had just landed, to catch this flight. Didn't think I had it in me......and I didn't.
It took me 5 minutes to collect myself once in the seat. I probably looked like that woman in the IKEA commercial running from the store yelling "start the car".
Last edited by KDS777; Jul 26, 2019 at 8:08 am
Jul 25, 2019, 11:51 pm
#109
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 78
This past April, I was flying from WDH TO JNB on South African with a connecting flight to DOH via Qatar Airways. The first flight was delayed an hour. I got to JNB with less than an hour to spare, and my gate was clear on the opposite side of the huge terminal. Thanks to an airport attendant, who pushed me through the terminal in a wheelchair--enabling me to go to the front of the line at security and passport control--I was able to sprint to the gate and get there just as it was closing; otherwise, I would have had to spend the night in Jo-burg.
Jul 28, 2019, 6:29 pm
#110
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaufort, SC
Programs: Delta, Alaska Air, & BA
Posts: 535
Traveling ABQ-ATL-SAV. We were 2+ hours late leaving ABQ which was going to leave us 10 minutes to make our connection. They our gate as E concourse and connecting was B. Well we pulled in and the pilot said there was a gate change and we were now at B12 and my connecting flight was leaving from B14! We walked off one plane and boarded the next. Luckily we were flying first so our SAV flight new of our new gate and held the door open for us.
Jan 6, 2020, 11:10 am
#111
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
About ten years ago, I was traveling around Japan with my boss, and we were scheduled for an afternoon flight from Haneda to Hiroshima. We arrived at the airport about two hours ahead of the flight with just carry-ons. As we checked in at the JAL counter, the agent informed us that there was a flight leaving in ten minutes, and were we interested in taking that one instead? We looked at each other in total disbelief. We wouldn't have even remotely considered asking about that if we had noticed the flight posted! Sure enough, a JAL person escorted us immediately through an adjacent, very efficient security position to the gate, and onto the plane just as they closed the door. We were not VIPs or even members in JAL's FFP, just AA's. I still can't believe we made that flight.
Jan 6, 2020, 12:24 pm
#112
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Delta Diamond , Marriott Ambassador, Alaska MVP Gold, American Airlines Gold
Posts: 77
At the end of 2018, I was going on a multi-city trip that took me to Helsinki, then Berlin, then São Paulo, and finally back to Seattle.
My initial flight was to AMS and then on to Helsinki. I needed to be in Helsinki on time. I stupidly got to the airport late — like right past the hour time to check bags (both were carry-one). The initial rep told me I’d have to rebook my ticket to get my bags checked, which was a disaster.
Fortunately the special services rep told me to just go through security and make a run for it and she called the gate and told them I’d be gate checking.
At security, they gave me a hard time because I was panicked about missing my flight, but I managed to get on the air train in Seattle to the S terminal and make it onto the flight just before last call. The gate agent was annoyed they’d be gate-checking my bagS, but I was let on the plane. I even managed to get a PDB from the Delta One cabin crew, even though I was literally one of the last people on board.
I’ve missed plenty of flights but missing the first leg of an international flight when I had very little time for repositioning and had work reasons for be in Helsinki taught me an important lesson about knowing the cutoff time for bag check.
My initial flight was to AMS and then on to Helsinki. I needed to be in Helsinki on time. I stupidly got to the airport late — like right past the hour time to check bags (both were carry-one). The initial rep told me I’d have to rebook my ticket to get my bags checked, which was a disaster.
Fortunately the special services rep told me to just go through security and make a run for it and she called the gate and told them I’d be gate checking.
At security, they gave me a hard time because I was panicked about missing my flight, but I managed to get on the air train in Seattle to the S terminal and make it onto the flight just before last call. The gate agent was annoyed they’d be gate-checking my bagS, but I was let on the plane. I even managed to get a PDB from the Delta One cabin crew, even though I was literally one of the last people on board.
I’ve missed plenty of flights but missing the first leg of an international flight when I had very little time for repositioning and had work reasons for be in Helsinki taught me an important lesson about knowing the cutoff time for bag check.
Jan 6, 2020, 12:45 pm
#113
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: YYC
Programs: Aeroplan SE100KMM, IHG Spire
Posts: 45
This was before 9-11, flying with Canadian International who are now, unfortunately defunct. Flying out of Quebec City, a relatively small airport at that time. As with a lot of these stories this one starts with being late to the airport. No web check-in in those days however the check-in agent quickly got me checked in and rushed through security. Unfortunately the plane door was already closed and the stairs rolled back, I can't remember the plane type but it was small and YQB didn't have jet bridges then.
Very fortunately the gate agent was resourceful and determined that I should fly. She marched out to the plane and reached up to get the pilots attention. Obviously I couldn't hear what was being said but very shortly after the plane door opened, steps rolled back and the gate agent ushered me out to the plane. Very lucky me.
Very fortunately the gate agent was resourceful and determined that I should fly. She marched out to the plane and reached up to get the pilots attention. Obviously I couldn't hear what was being said but very shortly after the plane door opened, steps rolled back and the gate agent ushered me out to the plane. Very lucky me.
Jan 6, 2020, 2:51 pm
#114
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Back in 2003 I returned to Jackson, Mississippi after a crazy day of meetings in Monroe, Louisiana. Like seriously could make a movie out of that day. One of the highlights was a local elected official telling me he could help me get out of a DUI charge should one ever happen...and immediately suggesting a place to meet for drinks to socialize after the meetings. Anyhoo...about 5:30a in the morning I get a call from my dad saying that my grandfather thinks he's having a stroke and won't go to the hospital unless someone accompanies him. I realize there is a 6:15a Southwest nonstop to Vegas and basically said, "race you."
I *think* I grabbed all my stuff and ran to my rental car. Drove it about ten minutes to the airport to leave it at the curb with the keys locked inside. Went straight to the ticket counter and said, "My grandfather is having a stroke and won't go to the hospital if I can't make this flight. Take my credit card and charge it whatever." The agent cooperated and suggested I run to the gate because they had already started boarding. I made it at the tail end of the C-boarding group, and the same agent from check-in told the FAs I needed to sit at the front of the plane, and improbably another passenger granted me that favor. We landed in Vegas approximately two and a half hours later. I ran through the terminal and to the front of the taxi line, and told the person at the front of the line, "this is a medical emergency I need a cab now". I handed the taxi cab driver a $100 bill and told him I'd pay any speeding tickets to get me to my destination pronto; I called 911. The usual 30 minute ride took less than 20 minutes, and the ambulance arrived just before my cab. I offered a $100 tip, and the driver refused and insisted on giving the original $100 back.
My grandfather, again, said he'd only go to the hospital if I would not leave his side until he was discharged. I agreed.
Riding in the ambulance I realize it is just after 8a Pacific time as my phone rings. Dad was still stuck at SFO due to fog. I told him that we were in an ambulance and I was managing things. I spent three days sleeping in a chair upright as promised, occasionally with my head slumbered on his feet...but ultimately my grandfather was discharged and lived about 18 more months.
It took a while before a particular rental car company would forgive me for my sins, but everyone else in the story really saved a life. Hope I never have to do THAT again.
I *think* I grabbed all my stuff and ran to my rental car. Drove it about ten minutes to the airport to leave it at the curb with the keys locked inside. Went straight to the ticket counter and said, "My grandfather is having a stroke and won't go to the hospital if I can't make this flight. Take my credit card and charge it whatever." The agent cooperated and suggested I run to the gate because they had already started boarding. I made it at the tail end of the C-boarding group, and the same agent from check-in told the FAs I needed to sit at the front of the plane, and improbably another passenger granted me that favor. We landed in Vegas approximately two and a half hours later. I ran through the terminal and to the front of the taxi line, and told the person at the front of the line, "this is a medical emergency I need a cab now". I handed the taxi cab driver a $100 bill and told him I'd pay any speeding tickets to get me to my destination pronto; I called 911. The usual 30 minute ride took less than 20 minutes, and the ambulance arrived just before my cab. I offered a $100 tip, and the driver refused and insisted on giving the original $100 back.
My grandfather, again, said he'd only go to the hospital if I would not leave his side until he was discharged. I agreed.
Riding in the ambulance I realize it is just after 8a Pacific time as my phone rings. Dad was still stuck at SFO due to fog. I told him that we were in an ambulance and I was managing things. I spent three days sleeping in a chair upright as promised, occasionally with my head slumbered on his feet...but ultimately my grandfather was discharged and lived about 18 more months.
It took a while before a particular rental car company would forgive me for my sins, but everyone else in the story really saved a life. Hope I never have to do THAT again.
Jan 6, 2020, 3:20 pm
#115
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BOS
Programs: JMB, AMC
Posts: 178
Not as dramatic as some others, but earlier in the year I had an AUS-DFW-BOS flight with a 40min connection in DFW. Normally I'd prefer a longer connection, but this ticket was paid by a 3rd party and I was stuck with what I was given.
Plane from Austin got to the gate a little late, but since DFW has an airside connection, I was pretty confident I would make it.
Incoming flight landed at Terminal C, got on the Skylink and headed for Terminal A where my connecting flight left from... but once we got to the first Terminal A station, the doors wouldn't stay shut. An announcement came through saying the Skytrain will be stopped here for maintenance and with only 20min to go for the connection, I needed to run for it.
Managed to make it to the other end of Terminal A when general boarding started (missed my Group 4 boarding), but it wasn't all too bad in the end since I was greeted with a totally empty row 22 and 23, had my choice of seat, and the FAs gave me some extra cookies on top.
For a stars totally aligned flight...
BOS-CLT-AUS leg, plane from Boston took off early and landed early in Charlotte, incoming gate was the same as the outgoing gate. I pretty much walked off, then walked back on the same plane an hour later, back into the same seat even.
Plane from Austin got to the gate a little late, but since DFW has an airside connection, I was pretty confident I would make it.
Incoming flight landed at Terminal C, got on the Skylink and headed for Terminal A where my connecting flight left from... but once we got to the first Terminal A station, the doors wouldn't stay shut. An announcement came through saying the Skytrain will be stopped here for maintenance and with only 20min to go for the connection, I needed to run for it.
Managed to make it to the other end of Terminal A when general boarding started (missed my Group 4 boarding), but it wasn't all too bad in the end since I was greeted with a totally empty row 22 and 23, had my choice of seat, and the FAs gave me some extra cookies on top.
For a stars totally aligned flight...
BOS-CLT-AUS leg, plane from Boston took off early and landed early in Charlotte, incoming gate was the same as the outgoing gate. I pretty much walked off, then walked back on the same plane an hour later, back into the same seat even.
Last edited by Jinxed_K; Jan 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm
Jan 6, 2020, 3:28 pm
#116
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Maui
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 199
Slight twist to this post: about making my wedding (which involved a few flights and a hurricane) as opposed to just one flight...
So last August I got married at a great campground in Utah. My wife and I were stressing out for two weeks prior to the flight, as Hurricane Lane was bearing down on the Hawaiian islands, where we live. We were set to depart on a Wednesday night red eye to Vegas via SFO, then rent a car and drive to Duck Creek. Monday we showed up to school (we're both teachers) and were greeted with an email from our boss to prepare for a school shut down due to the hurricane. Later that day the district office ended up cancelling school for us from Wednesday through Friday, since our school was a designated community shelter for the storm.
We were super stressed out about things, as we had everything booked and all of our friends were going to be in Utah...without us. As far as weddings go we weren't spending a lot (next to nothing actually), so the concern wasn't necessarily mission out on money, more the fact that we would be missing our wedding. We decided to call in sick (principal approved, given the circumstances), got some substitutes for Tuesday, and started calling AS to try to get an earlier flight. Unfortunately, all the tourists on the island had a similar idea, and there were ZERO flights available.
Since we had Tuesday off already, we decided to catch a bus down to the airport to camp out in hopes that space would open on a flight...it didn't. We made our case to the Alaska people, and they were sympathetic but there was nothing they could do. We tried looking at other airlines, but we were way behind on that, so nothing came up. Wednesday came and went in a similar fashion and we were still out of luck. My sister and her boyfriend flew out on Hawaiian Wednesday, but even though they tried to get Hawaiian to let us take their place on the flight, they were told that wasn't how it works.
Meanwhile we were tracking the storm on NOAA and listening to all of the local stations declaring that "This was the big one" and everyone should be prepared. Poop. Wednesday brought with it news that airlines were beginning to cancel flights, starting on Friday and Saturday when the storms were supposed to hit. I called my brother and gave him instructions to purchase the food and booze we were planning to and go ahead and throw a huge rager in our honor should we miss our wedding. I hung up and went outside and boarded up our windows and battened down the hatches. Then I drank half a bottle of whiskey, decided it was probably not a good idea to drink the other half, and went to bed
Thursday we headed down to the airport early, and waited. And waited. And watched as more flight cancellations were announced. Finally we were able to check in...only to be told that there was a mechanical delay on the aircraft. $4!#! We were able to get a reroute from our original itinerary through Portland, then down to California, then to Vegas, but that put us behind schedule a bit, and making the run to the Marriage license office before it closed on Friday was going to be iffy. We decided to roll the dice and go with it...which was lucky because that ended up being one of (if not the last, I'm not sure) flight out of the airport before they shut down for the hurricane.
Long story long, we got to Utah in time to miss the marriage license office but in time to get married and party. Must've lost a few years of my life due to stressing out but it all worked out in the end.
So last August I got married at a great campground in Utah. My wife and I were stressing out for two weeks prior to the flight, as Hurricane Lane was bearing down on the Hawaiian islands, where we live. We were set to depart on a Wednesday night red eye to Vegas via SFO, then rent a car and drive to Duck Creek. Monday we showed up to school (we're both teachers) and were greeted with an email from our boss to prepare for a school shut down due to the hurricane. Later that day the district office ended up cancelling school for us from Wednesday through Friday, since our school was a designated community shelter for the storm.
We were super stressed out about things, as we had everything booked and all of our friends were going to be in Utah...without us. As far as weddings go we weren't spending a lot (next to nothing actually), so the concern wasn't necessarily mission out on money, more the fact that we would be missing our wedding. We decided to call in sick (principal approved, given the circumstances), got some substitutes for Tuesday, and started calling AS to try to get an earlier flight. Unfortunately, all the tourists on the island had a similar idea, and there were ZERO flights available.
Since we had Tuesday off already, we decided to catch a bus down to the airport to camp out in hopes that space would open on a flight...it didn't. We made our case to the Alaska people, and they were sympathetic but there was nothing they could do. We tried looking at other airlines, but we were way behind on that, so nothing came up. Wednesday came and went in a similar fashion and we were still out of luck. My sister and her boyfriend flew out on Hawaiian Wednesday, but even though they tried to get Hawaiian to let us take their place on the flight, they were told that wasn't how it works.
Meanwhile we were tracking the storm on NOAA and listening to all of the local stations declaring that "This was the big one" and everyone should be prepared. Poop. Wednesday brought with it news that airlines were beginning to cancel flights, starting on Friday and Saturday when the storms were supposed to hit. I called my brother and gave him instructions to purchase the food and booze we were planning to and go ahead and throw a huge rager in our honor should we miss our wedding. I hung up and went outside and boarded up our windows and battened down the hatches. Then I drank half a bottle of whiskey, decided it was probably not a good idea to drink the other half, and went to bed
Thursday we headed down to the airport early, and waited. And waited. And watched as more flight cancellations were announced. Finally we were able to check in...only to be told that there was a mechanical delay on the aircraft. $4!#! We were able to get a reroute from our original itinerary through Portland, then down to California, then to Vegas, but that put us behind schedule a bit, and making the run to the Marriage license office before it closed on Friday was going to be iffy. We decided to roll the dice and go with it...which was lucky because that ended up being one of (if not the last, I'm not sure) flight out of the airport before they shut down for the hurricane.
Long story long, we got to Utah in time to miss the marriage license office but in time to get married and party. Must've lost a few years of my life due to stressing out but it all worked out in the end.
Jan 6, 2020, 4:32 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Not as crazy as many others but:
I flew last June Finnair from HEL to JFK which gets in at 2:40PM, I was connecting to ATL and had booked an 8:30PM departure from LGA arriving at 11PM. There was a 5:25PM departure which I wanted to make if I got on time to JFK. As I was in Business class I managed to be first off the plane and made in into the empty immigration line but each desk was occupied. I always have the worst luck with getting a desk that moves the slowest, first the officer was processing a Russian family of 8 visiting and then came the turn of an Indian family who seemed to have an issue with work visa. I figured ain't no way in hell am I making the 5:25, my turn came and the officer was really quick stamping me (non-citizen) and surprisingly didn't ask any questions. I had two bags checked and one was already on the carousel. SCORE!. Or so I thought, I heard my name over the speaker and turns out AY had left one of the bags in HEL and they needed my info to FedEx it to me.
No line at customs, and immediately called a Lyft which showed a 5 minute wait. Had time to grab a coffee at Dunkin in the arrivals hall. Traffic was moderate and there was an accident somewhere on Van Wyck, at this point I called it quits and already was planning to spend hours in the LGA AC. We ended up pulling in at 4:46PM and I made it to the front of the Priority desk at 4:48. I give my license to the AAngel and amazingly does she not only manage to get me on the standby list, but also accept my bag. I go to the deserted TSA checkpoint and make it to the gate and see me as #2 (Finnair Sapphire) on the SBY list. I looked at the seat map earlier and knew Y had plenty of wide open seats. So I went and asked GA about possibly getting an MCE seat and lo and behold she prints me out a bp for 8F, my favorite seat on the E175.
It was fun getting to ATL 3 hours early. Never thought I'd make it between deplaning at JFK T8, immigration and baggage issues plus the Lyft ride and being accepted 8 minutes past the deadline with my bag arriving with me at ATL.
I flew last June Finnair from HEL to JFK which gets in at 2:40PM, I was connecting to ATL and had booked an 8:30PM departure from LGA arriving at 11PM. There was a 5:25PM departure which I wanted to make if I got on time to JFK. As I was in Business class I managed to be first off the plane and made in into the empty immigration line but each desk was occupied. I always have the worst luck with getting a desk that moves the slowest, first the officer was processing a Russian family of 8 visiting and then came the turn of an Indian family who seemed to have an issue with work visa. I figured ain't no way in hell am I making the 5:25, my turn came and the officer was really quick stamping me (non-citizen) and surprisingly didn't ask any questions. I had two bags checked and one was already on the carousel. SCORE!. Or so I thought, I heard my name over the speaker and turns out AY had left one of the bags in HEL and they needed my info to FedEx it to me.
No line at customs, and immediately called a Lyft which showed a 5 minute wait. Had time to grab a coffee at Dunkin in the arrivals hall. Traffic was moderate and there was an accident somewhere on Van Wyck, at this point I called it quits and already was planning to spend hours in the LGA AC. We ended up pulling in at 4:46PM and I made it to the front of the Priority desk at 4:48. I give my license to the AAngel and amazingly does she not only manage to get me on the standby list, but also accept my bag. I go to the deserted TSA checkpoint and make it to the gate and see me as #2 (Finnair Sapphire) on the SBY list. I looked at the seat map earlier and knew Y had plenty of wide open seats. So I went and asked GA about possibly getting an MCE seat and lo and behold she prints me out a bp for 8F, my favorite seat on the E175.
It was fun getting to ATL 3 hours early. Never thought I'd make it between deplaning at JFK T8, immigration and baggage issues plus the Lyft ride and being accepted 8 minutes past the deadline with my bag arriving with me at ATL.
Jan 7, 2020, 12:52 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Kazakhstan
Programs: BA Gold, AirAstana Silver (much use as chocolate teapot)
Posts: 867
Some years back on a business trip to Budapest from London. Flying back to London on a 8:30am flight. Night before have a "few" drinks. Wake up & it's one of those where am I moments. Remember I'm in a hotel & due to head back to London. Look at watch & it's 7:20am. Now what? Go for it & try to catch flight or roll over & get a later flight. Ah no I have a meeting in London that morning....bugger. Rush around, down to reception, please hurry up & check those other people out. get checked out....need a taxi....ergh no I need some cash first to pay for taxi. Find a cash point, find a taxi. It must now be 7:45. Airport is about 30mins away, so get there about 8:15. Run in to airport find self check-in machine, put card in, which is promptly spat out. Fortunately the machine was next to a BA desk. Lady behind the desk asks if I'm trying to get on the London flight, to which I say yes. Asks if I have any baggage to check ….. no. Says give me your card... she taps some stuff in the computer, gives me a boarding card & says "Run". I got to the plane maybe at 8:27, door closed behind me. Made it just.
Jan 7, 2020, 10:08 am
#119
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Internet Brands
Posts: 3,867
I have one plane and one bus story:
When I was in Freiburg, I had to take the train to get to a bus to Prague. My train was late by several minutes in an already-short window that I didn't realize until the day of. I spied the bus as we pulled into the station and the drivers were getting ready to take off. I hopped off, sprinted the length of a football field, got on the bus, they scanned my ticket, closed the door, and we left. I think from train doors opening to the bus leaving was about 30sec.
When I was coming back from Vancouver in December, I didn't realize that the US did immigration and customs on the Canadian side. The line was about 45min long and I finished with 10min until departure. I ran through the terminal, skipping my planned breakfast, coffee, et cetera. and then when I got to the gate, the told me they had delayed the flight on account of the line (I think they would have already closed the door if they hadn't delayed it) and I sat in my seat, starving for the next 30min until takeoff.
When I was in Freiburg, I had to take the train to get to a bus to Prague. My train was late by several minutes in an already-short window that I didn't realize until the day of. I spied the bus as we pulled into the station and the drivers were getting ready to take off. I hopped off, sprinted the length of a football field, got on the bus, they scanned my ticket, closed the door, and we left. I think from train doors opening to the bus leaving was about 30sec.
When I was coming back from Vancouver in December, I didn't realize that the US did immigration and customs on the Canadian side. The line was about 45min long and I finished with 10min until departure. I ran through the terminal, skipping my planned breakfast, coffee, et cetera. and then when I got to the gate, the told me they had delayed the flight on account of the line (I think they would have already closed the door if they hadn't delayed it) and I sat in my seat, starving for the next 30min until takeoff.
Jan 7, 2020, 5:00 pm
#120
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Belgium
Programs: Oneworld
Posts: 28
Flying back from Granada, Spain over Madrid to Brussels a few years ago, the plane had mechanical issues before takeoff in Granada. After sitting in a superhot plane with no airco on (they finally brought us some water after 45min), the plane left with 1h15 delay. Given that I had 1h15 to catch my connection, I was sure I wasn't going to make it. Arriving at K88, with my connecting flight leaving from H16 (about 1km !), I sprinted through the crowds.
When I made it to the gate, there were no passengers anymore, just a lady behind the desk. She looked up, saw me huffing and puffing, then asked with a super surprised look on her face : "Brussels ?". I said yes, she turned around to the plane, apparently checking if the door was still open, then said : "uh maybe", scanned my ticket and told me : "Run !". They were closing the door when I got there... just in time. Not sure the passenger next to me enjoyed my sweaty smell, but I made it ;-)
When I made it to the gate, there were no passengers anymore, just a lady behind the desk. She looked up, saw me huffing and puffing, then asked with a super surprised look on her face : "Brussels ?". I said yes, she turned around to the plane, apparently checking if the door was still open, then said : "uh maybe", scanned my ticket and told me : "Run !". They were closing the door when I got there... just in time. Not sure the passenger next to me enjoyed my sweaty smell, but I made it ;-)