This was the Facebook status update I posted early on Christmas Eve. A dense fog had enveloped Chicago causing delays and canceled flights across the country.
Get up at 3 > get ready to go > drive to the airport closest to your house > park > walk to terminal > check bag (because there’s wine in it) > go through security > feel good about how smooth this is going > walk to gate > read sign that says FLIGHT CANCELLED > get in long line > get on app > get off app and get on phone because of checked bag (ugh!) > realize customer service isn’t open yet because IT’S 5 AM > listen to announcement saying that checked bag people have to go back out of security to be re-booked > make a mad dash with 200 other people to get re-booked > get in another line > wait 10 minutes > listen to announcement saying that checked bag people have to get out of line and claim their bag before they can be helped > mad dash to baggage claim to get bag > wait 10 minutes > get bag > get back in line with 200 other people, but you’re way at the back > start checking flights on app out of this airport > rethink flying to NM > remember there are 2 other airports > check the airport an hour away > find a direct flight that leaves at 8:30 > do mental math to see if you can get to your car, drive to other airport, park, take shuttle to terminal, check bag and get through security by 8 am > do the math again > decide to buy ticket and pick up the pieces of your canceled flight later > wish the cute guy in front if you a Merry Christmas and good luck (I’m not a barbarian, after all) > buy ticket > bolt for car > get to car > pay for an hour of parking (thank you DCA) > drive calmly and respectfully (HAH!) to airport an hour away > park > wait for shuttle > ride shuttle packed with people to terminal > wait in total chaos to check bag (again, wine) > check bag > get through security (thank you TSAPre) > get to gate at 7 am. IT’S AN EFFING CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!
Merry Christmas! Pass the eggnog!!