For those who adore being in airplanes, do you ever have those days when you just want to get to your destination and skip the flying? I occasionally do and had one of those days yesterday. I was back in Southern California over the weekend for my father’s birthday and all I wanted to do was get back to Philadelphia Sunday night.
Typically, I fly from Burbank to Philadelphia via San Francisco and Washington Dulles overnight, but I had a big today at school and therefore decided to fly back midday yesterday. I wanted BUR-SFO-PHL or BUR-DEN-PHL, but all that was available was BUR-DEN-ORD-PHL at the rate I was willing to pay. I used to go out of my way to book fight routings like that, but I really felt like flying non-stop yesterday. I tried to standby for the non-stop flight from Denver to Philadelphia, but it was oversold and they were looking for volunteers.
It is not that anything went wrong yesterday. On the contrary, all three flights departed on time, were comfortable, and arrived early. The Burbank-Denver flight was operated by a CRJ-700 so it had a first class section and I was able to stretch out and get some work done on the flight. The Denver-Chicago flight was packed, though not oversold, and I did not get an upgrade, though the exit row had ample legroom. The final flight to Philadelphia was crowded as well, but I scored a first class seat and the purser was great. The flights just dragged on and dragged on.
I guess the whole check-in, security, gate-check bag, fight for overhead bin space, fly, deplane, wait in cold for gate-check bag, walk across concourse, check e-mail and have snack in United Club, walk across concourse, board flight, fight for overhead bin space, fly, deboard, walk across concourse, check e-mail and have snack in United Club, walk across concourse, board flight, fight for overhead space, fly deboard, walk across concourse, take train home-routine is getting a little old. (How’s that for a sentence?)
So I have nothing legitimate to complain about, though I am really tired today. Thanks for being on time United!
I’ve just moved to Philly a couple months ago. We should do MRs together:)
You know… from time to time, there are some mornings when my alarm goes off at 4:00am and I have a flight out of LAX at 6am that I really, REALLY consider just turning it off and rolling over, foregoing the miles and experience.
There are other times that I ask myself, “Why did I book the connection through SFO just to get the extra 500 EQM (plus about ~200 more EQM from the East coast) when the nonstop to LAX looks so appealing next door?”
I understand what you’re saying and I’ve been there, but after the fact, I’m usually pretty happy I ended up going through with the “pain” of what I booked.
I agree. I often feel the same way too about flying. But there are always those moments that make it all worth while.