Since this seems like it could be a fun topic, I'm curious what everyone's worst travel experience have been.

I haven't had too many bad ones, but my SO once spent 20 hours trying to get from Atlanta to Wausau. He kept getting rerouted due to storms/mechanical failures/overbooked flights.

So what are yours?

Thu April 11, 2002. Caracas Venezuela, coup attempt on Chavez. I was dodging bullets on the way back to my hotel. We also had a gun battle in back of the hotel the next morning. I got out on an early morning flight on Sat April 13, just before the airport closed. Next day Chavez was back in power.

M8

September 1999
44 Hours CDG-SEA.

Long story but none of it really anyones fault. Maybe I'll blame it on the ATC at JFK...yeah that sounds good.

Nice topic!

23/24/25 December 2000, I was stuck in MXP and LOS... oy...

Our plans were to fly to ACC on December 23rd (from AMS) to visit a beautiful Christmas Wedding of a friend of mine in Ghana. We (me and gf) were scheduled to arrive somewhere in the beginning of the evening of the 23rd of December. Yet, our direct flight AMS-ACC got cancelled already the day before departure (the next day we understood why... sandstorm). We where put on an early AZ flight to catch a connecting flight in MXP. Yet, the connection was a little on the tight side (45min), but doable for MXP as the change of terminals is pretty easy there (that is, if you run ).

But of course, evil struck and we departed late in AMS. And so we missed our connection causing us to spend the night in Milan for a next-day departure. As the wedding was scheduled to take place on December 25th, no harm was done.

After a good night's sleep we were on our way to ACC, with the usual quick stop in LOS to drop off some pax. The captain came over the PA and told us we wouldn't be able to depart due to a sand storm currently afflicting the Ghanian coast. We'd have to spend the night at Lagos... the only problem was that the sun had already set. If you have ever been to Nigeria, you'll know what this meant. The streets get very dangerous at night, and Nigerians often advise tourists to stay inside when it�s dark outside.

Let me just say we ended up spending Christmas Eve at the Sheraton, but it only took us 4 and a half hours to get there! We insisted on being escorted to our hotel, and I am still very grateful for the help of the agents at the airport who we very understanding to all pax, most people in Y had to spend Christmas Eve at the airport, now that is really bad.

However, the sandstorm lasted at least another day so we missed the wedding. And I feel very bad for my friend as his wedding was heavily disrupted by this sand storm. I do realize we have been quite lucky as we could have been off a lot worse considering some people had no choice but to stay in the terminal for the night.

If I had known that the KL flight was cancelled because of the storm we would probably have stayed at home. Yet on the upside this lesson has helped me on many other flights inbound West Africa

Ahhh...not quite as bad, but when my S/O and I started dating he came up to MSP for a weekend, and I found him a hotel close by (being the lady like IrishRed that I am). It was in a decent area (Brooklyn Park). Unfortunately there was a drug shoot-out in the lobby the night he stayed there, and he was interviewed by the police at 4 a.m.

Far preferential to a South American shoot out I'm sure, but he's scared for life LOL

Worst experience was when ATA's computer system went down at Midway, forcing manual check-ins. Because of this, seat assignments went out the window and it was every traveler for himself. We had a Christmas tree in a box (long story), and when I saw the length of the manual check-in lines, I decided we would just carry it on since the box wasn't too obnoxiously big. Three gate changes later, we were moved to Gate A4B (if you're familiar with Midway, that number will make you have a phobic reaction). Being Elite, we were supposed to be allowed to pre-board, and I knew that with the lack of seat assignments, it would be critical to do so in order to get a tolerable seat. We were far up in the pre-board line, but when boarding finally started for our many-hours late flight, a giant family kept trying to push ahead of us. They kept snottily saying, "We're PRE-BOARDING" and ignoring our explanation that we were doing the same and that they needed to stay in line. Finally, after getting poking and prodded and trodden on in their attempts to pass us, my husband whirled around and yelled, "I have spent countless g*d-d#)$mn hours on this airline to earn Elite status, and you are NOT passing me!" He swung the tree box around to act as a barrier, nearly bowling the Rude Family over! FINALLY they got the hint and stayed plenty far away from us (and we got 10DE, our originally assigned seats...I hate to think of all the hours we spent in them before ATA bailed from Chicago).

I wish you had some pictures for that one...! ^

In 1993...Continental Micronesia flight from Bali to Guam to Hawaii. We were the last flight to land on Guam as a typhoon moved onto the island. Of course, we were not informed of this by the crew, but it was evident as the huge DC-10 lurched and bounced violently down the runway as heavy rain and winds pounded the aircraft. Long story short, the airport was closed and we had no way off the island. We were rushed through arrival and Continental made hotel arrangements for everyone.

Hours later, as the storm came ashore, power failed, winds howled, the hotel went to emergency generator and we were moved from our 10th floor room to the hotel lobby. As the hotel bore the brunt, windows bowed and atruim roofs were ripped away. We all were simply amazed that we had been in sunny Bali just a a mere 12 hours earlier! The storm passed, but the airport had considerable damage and power was out island wide. All flights on and off the island were still cancelled. Did I mention the heat and humidity?! And no running water!

Anyway, it took three days to be evacuated from the island. As additional evac flights, the government chartered several DC-10s from Northwest Airlines. On the third day, and by lottery, we found ourselves literally crammed onto one of the last flights out to Honolulu, our original destination. And I swear to this day, there were passengers sitting in the aisleways! My companion insists I was just a little out of my gord due to stress and exhaustion...but I know what I saw. And maybe the worst part was the fact that none of us on that flight had bathed in four days! Nice.

In downtown NYC on 9/11/2001.

Perhaps you meant 9/11/2001?

Not sure I can beat the coup d'etat story, but here goes. We were in Akumal for a friend's wedding when Emily struck. My friend moved up the wedding a few hours and had a very quick reception as they were boarding up the restaraunt and asking guests that wanted to stay at the resort past 4 PM that day to sign waivers. You know it's bad when a country that isn't nearly as litigious as the U.S. asks people to sign waivers!

We spent the night before the hurricane hit in our beachfront condo, while the resort owners boarded up. We just asked that they leave the front door unboarded so we could get out in the morning. We drove off in a caravan inland at 6 AM (did I mention that our 3 year old was with us) after loading up on groceries, candles, flashlights, and anything else we thought we might need. The rest of the wedding group drove to CUN and tried to get out on the last few flights. As non-rev, we didn't even bother. None of our friends made it out, either (after spending 4+ hours in line at the ticket counter and security, only to get turned away at the gate)...and they ended up driving back inland to meet us. A few, though, that had turned in their rental cars, ended up at the shelter.

The hurricane itself wasn't too bad - just loud. Our 3 yo slept through it and we had to wait an extra day for the roads to clear before driving to CUN. The rental car company charged us through the nose for the "extra" day that we kept the car - never mind the argument that had we turned the car in at Playa Del Carmen (where they suggested)...the car probably would have been trashed. They said that we should have called

The lines at the airport were long (2+ hours), but we got out on the 2nd flight we tried.

So...again...not topping many of the stories here by any means - but that's my worst in 10 years of travel as an airline employee.

Other notables include...

- Flying Bali-HKG-LAX...arriving in LAX to find that AA pilots are on strike. Trying to negotiate for an OA ticket (I was revenue passenger) was just exhausting.

- DFW-MCO with a 1 year old with an ear infection and having the FA stick her hand in ice to try and "help". 1 year old proceeded to scream the entire trip

-DFW-SEA 1-year old is now a 2 year old...and loves to watch Barney when we get on the plane. We get 2 year old very excited about watching her video only to find the DVD screen has gone dead. It was a looong 4 hour flight! Needless to say, we bought a new DVD player in SEA.

- Trying to go CDG-DFW and arriving at CDG to find that ATC is about to strike. Then, trying to buy a Eurorail tkt to LON only to have the price go up drastically and literally as we were talking with the agent trying to decide if we should book. We ended up back at the airport and did get on the 2nd flight we tried....although, ended up escorting a minor that was also a non-rev to DFW, via MIA. She was a really nice kid, though.

Lisa

Long story, I'll leave out some detail.

Night 1: spent on 2 flights SFO-ATL & ATL-LGW. Sat next to a pretty lady ATL-SFO and stayed up all night talking.

Night 2: Stayed at a hostel in London. Assigned to a 10 bed room. Stench of bad breath and feet so strong I walked out and spent the night in the lounge talking with others. Thrown out at 3:00 am so they could clean the lounge. Walked the streets for a couple hours, met some prostitutes, was tempted to pay them just to use their bed.

Next day, I got on the Tube, so tired and disoriented, I went the wrong direction. Jumped off at the first stop. Left bag with camera, wallet, return ticket, other assorted important stuff. Caught train to Cardiff.

Night 3: Toured the city. Found a hotel. Met construction workers at the hotel bar who bought me one of every beer in the place. Up all night ill.

Next day, train to Chester. Toured the city.

Night 4: room at a B&B. Gay German couple occupied the next room. Tried every position for loud sex. Owners yelled at me for banging on the walls! Caught owners son peeping on his sister in the bathroom.

Next day, massive head cold. Rented a car and drove to Caernarfon. Hit another vehicle 1/2 mile from the rental lot. Kept driving.

Night 5: Can't breathe. Can't sleep.

Next day, toured the castle and town.

Night 6; Still can't breath. Slept some - or possibly died and arose from dead in the morning.

Next day, back to London. Underground Found items department closes at 2:00. Arrive 2:10.

Get a room. Sleep all day and night.

Arrive LGW. DL wants $100 to replace (free) return ticket. Go home. System all discombobulated. Can't sleep. Go to work next morning. Arrive an hour early, so sleep in car in parking lot. Wake up at 3:00 in the afternoon. Lots of 'splainin' to the boss.

Took a while to get over the whole trip.

Having no money on a vacation because of thieves.

Let me preface that it took 3 Days to get to Chile!

SEA to Denver - Had my first and only bad reaction to something I ate on the plane and my face started swelling and throat starting closing up.

Get off the plane to be taken off and taken to the nearest hospital (which is over 30 minutes by ambulance). United tried to make me pay for the $50 change flight and hotel plus transfer fees.

The hospital sends me a bill for over a $1K just for the ride.

Next Day

Denver to Miami - First flight overbooked and get bumped, 9 hours later get on with the worst ride next to a screaming kid over half the ride.

Miss my connection in Miami with no flights left heading to Chile. United refusing to spring for hotel, I end up sleeping at the gate.

Next Day

Almost get bumped again but with some luck, get on.
Mechanical issues delay flight 3 hours, then on the arrival is also late due to severe fog with 30 minutes before diverting to Mendoza.

Not the worst story hear but one I never want to repeat.....

Three walk-away plane crashes in Alaska in the span of 3 years.

Arrested at gunpoint in Iran for photographing a secret police "safe house" in Rasht. Spent several hours in the jailhouse until I convinced the copper that I was on "official" business for the provincial governor (the Shah's cousin.) Well, I was, but not on that day. I just thought the building was photogenic. He saluted me before letting me go. I'm sure he's currently running a restaurant in West LA.

Trapped with several crazy Uzbeks (plenty of sane ones on board, but a couple who seriously lost it) on an Aeroflot IL-62 on the apron at TAS for almost 2 hours, aircon off, mid-August, pending the driver deciding the engines were up for the TO roll. People were screaming and fainting from the heat. When we took off the aircon came back on like the fridge from hell, and the moisture in the air (ie sweat) condensed out on metal bits, and it rained on us all the way to Moscow.

Door opened on an Aztec over the Bering Sea and my work papers all got sucked out.

Forced to eat Western Airlines MysteryMeat� four days a week commuting up and down the west coast. Oh the horror.