I was casually at LGA around 4:20 for my 6:40 flight home. I am one of those goofy people who like to be way early for things, which usually means things get delayed-it’s karma! So on this day my flight was delayed once, then twice, then a third time. Finally, I stopped getting delay notices and the departure time seemed held firmly at 8:27 pm. (about the time I was originally scheduled to be home).
We finally boarded the plane at 8:37 and I had been bumped to 1st class-yay me! I was finally headed for home-so I thought. After a very long time the flight attendant asked for my drink order so she could have it ready when we were at proper altitude. I ordered my cup of hot tea with one Splenda please.

Well we sat a while longer, then started to taxi out to the runway. But then we suddenly stopped- never a good sign. The lights came on and the pilot told us that there were still 15 planes waiting ahead of us. Because of that, they calculated that the pilots would not make it to Greensboro without violating the time allotment they are legally mandated to maintain. The captain said they were negotiating with the union to allow them to continue. After a while, he came back and said they were told no and we would all have to get off the plane. So we all had choice words for Delta (apparently the Other Airlines direct flight left on time) and gathered our belongings to disembark.

“Hold on there, Sparky” said the captain – or something like that. He said that he found two other pilots who would come to our rescue and take over the plane so we could continue – yay Captain. The flight attendants cheerfully distributed our drinks while we waited for our heroes. And waited. “Sorry guys” came the captain once again – after a half hour wait, “rescuers could not make it, you must all leave now.” There is a bus to take you back to the terminal. I gave my half drunk hot tea cup to the flight attendant on my way out with a snarl.

After taking the bus back to the terminal, the lynch mob all gathered at the “help desk” for reassignment. There was one man on duty- of course! I was about 8th in line to discuss my situation – I knew my Delta sky miles status would get me an automatic assignment but I had other issues. As I was in line, my phone told me that indeed I was booked on an early morning direct flight to Greensboro with a complementary first class assigned seat. BUT I had to get home tonight! I had a dentist appointment Thursday morning at 10:00 am that was critical. I had a 3 tooth bridge fall out that had a nasty nail spike in it while I was eating a hot dog on Montague Street. It was very fortunate that I had not swallowed it and risk puncturing something. So I had to get home-waiting overnight was not an option.

As we were all in line, it was overheard that a plane was still available (because it was delayed) going to Raleigh. One lady had to give a presentation the next morning she had worked months on and also needed to get to NC THAT night. As we were in line the one man working said, “you can go over to gate 1 and they can also help” so half the herd broke off with me in front heading to gate 1. While gathering at gate 1 that had 3 workers, one of them said “why are you here? We are busy and can’t help any of you”. I let out a very loud “What the hell are you talking about lady – we were sent here”. She told me to calm down and leave. So I did-well at least I left. The calm down part was not happening.
We all herded back to the help desk, which had already been invaded by many others, causing my place in line to be displaced. Suddenly Brooklyn Danny broke out of me and I pushed to the front and demanded consoling. My comrades didn’t seem to mind since I had blasted the desk in the other line in our entire defense. Anyway I changed my changed ticket to the Raleigh flight, as did several others. I then called and rented a car to be waiting in Raleigh. I helped others who needed info on renting a car also.

The Raleigh flight was then delayed too (of course). It finally boarded at 11:30pm and took off about midnight. The captain said all passengers would be given a free alcoholic beverage when we reached altitude. He did (reached altitude) and we did!

I got my rental car about 1:20 am and drove home, getting in about 2:40 am, made it to dentist at 10 and had my bridge fixed. Holy Moly!