Disclaimer: This was the first time I have left the East Coast. I was flying from Portland Maine to San Diego with a layover in Philly.
I work for Corporate America and my office is 1/2 mile from the airport so I decided to work all day and take a late day flight. I never considered the 3 hour time change or the fact that my roommates would be asleep by the time I arrived by Uber at 11pm. Ce la vie.
Getting on the airplane was not as I anticipated. I had my two carryons per usual. One that Trisha had lent me and the other was my typical rolling luggage that fits properly in the overhead.
Full disclosure: I had spent the weekend at Greg’s and left my orthopedic pillow at his house. Anyone who knows me knows that I now suffer from a stiff neck and back. Bad. I spent the last two days rotating ice and heat ice and attempted to pathetically stretch. To no avail. Ibuprofen might have helped but I can’t take it. I did take Tylenol with some relief. Beer it is! Why is that always the answer?
Delaney, my Field Support from work, was kind enough to give me a ride to the airport which is conveniently located a 1/2 mile from my Portland office. Anyway, since I arrived in plenty of time for my flight, I went to Linda Beans to have a beer before takeoff. One beer.
Back to boarding. I was group 9 to board. Pretty sure that’s the last of all the groups. You better be sure that I was the first of group 9 to get on. Bad.
I’m not even halfway through my story and I’m already on bad #2.
So I have my carry on luggage’s. I find my last minute assigned seating. Not too bad...10F. Fortunately I’m not in an emergency seat. Been there before after drinking. Pretty sure I was with Dee last time-on the way home from NYC-that was interesting.
Anyway, back to my seat-The kind gentleman let’s me put my shoulder bag on my seat so I can find the rare spot for my rolling luggage. I’m lucky! I find one. But this plane, is not equipped to even fit a laptop bag, never mind a piece of rolling luggage. What kind of plane am I on anyway? Is this a puddle jumper? Oh my god, I’m going to die.
The passengers on the plane are kind and gently guide my luggage and ME wayyyy to the back of the plane. Like wayyyy....to where the 1 of 2 flight attendants are where I am soon to find out that my worst fate has come true.
My luggage will be checked, free of charge to San Diego. The $40 fee has been waived. (Lucky me) “I can pick it up when I land. I have nothing to worry about” Oh boy, I’ve heard this before. My wishes of jean jackets, skinny jeans & California dressing have just landed in Ohio somewhere. I’m sure I’ll see my luggage Tuesday when I land back in Maine.
They couldn’t have told me this when I checked in? Looks like I’m going to have to order a beer now. Damnit. “Yes Jennifer, I’d love a Goose Island please” The only thing I have in my carry on is a pair of high heels, my blow dryer, and my bathroom accessories. I hope my luggage is at 30,000 feet with me....
Wish me luck...I have to change terminals. We are landing in the Main terminal and I have to make it to the A-East terminal in under an hour. Ok. I’ve got this