A 'Distressed Traveler'

When I made these reservations a couple of weeks ago, I knew it wouldn't work. The last flight out of Chicago on a Thursday night in January, especially with only a 55 minute time frame in which to make the connection, is just not a good idea. I hate it when I'm right.

I was scheduled to leave Kalamazoo at 8 PM. There was a lot of snow in Kalamazoo, but Thursday had been bright and sunny and according to most reports, there was no weather problem in Chicago, so I though I might actually luck out.

I left the nursing home about 6 and stopped at a great little restaurant called 'Fat Tony's'. It's right by the entrance to the airport and has good sandwiches and good wine. I always tell them what time the plane is leaving and they always get me fed and on my way in plenty of time. I figure I need to eat there, because I never have time to eat in Chicago between flights on the way home. Since I am usually on American flights, I leave at 7. This leaving at 8 on United was new and I hope never to do it again. The reason I took this flight is because I am supposed to manage my travel money and keep airfare below $500. I waited too late to make the reservation and the American flight exceeded the limit. United was about $100 less.

When I checked in the reservation clerk looked unhappy. My flight was to be at least 45 minutes late leaving Kalamazoo, which in the best case scenario would put me into Chicago with 10 minutes to make the connection. Remember, I would have to travel from Concourse F to Concourse C, which is a 10-15 minute trip whether you walk or take the shuttle. I decided to be stranded in a hotel in Kalamazoo rather than at Chicago O'Hare, sleeping on three seats with my belly possibly exposed and chilly. The reservation clerk called the Clarion Hotel for me and I heard her ask if they had any rooms available at a 'distressed traveler' rate. Seems they didn't have to be responsible for my bill because they didn't actually cancel the flight. It was just delayed. If I had gone on to Chicago and missed the flight, Chicago might have paid for a room, if one was available. Been there, done that, and it's too far to drive to Marc and Susan's from O'Hare.

So instead of coming home, I watched Obama beat Hillary in Iowa from the Clarion Hotel in Kalamazoo and came home on Friday morning. The hotel bill was $79, so in the end, I didn't really save anything by taking a different flight.