The Worst Day Of My Life

January 4, 2010

in Delay/Cancellation Stories

Dude. I have a terrible story. I flew from Istanbul, where I was visiting my dad, to San Diego. After being thoroughly searched 3 or 4 times, one of which the attendant may now nearly claim carnal knowledge of my person, I boarded the flight from hell. The flight was 3 hours delayed while we sat on the plane. I’m 6 ft 3 in, 230 pounds by the way and a little claustrophobic.

We fly to New York where I am supposed to have a direct flight to San Diego. Aren’t direct flights great? When I arrive at New York, I’ve missed my plane, which in itself is a bummer, however it was immediately intensified by the fact that the flight which was now provided had a layover in Las Vegas and didn’t leave for 4-5 hours. Normally this would be somewhat exciting since you can gamble right in the airport. However the 5 hour layover in NY and having already traveled 14 hours or so induced me to just go to the bar and get drunk. This was my most successful accomplishment at this point.

 The flight from New York was delayed by 45 minutes and I missed my flight in Vegas by 10-15 minutes. It was a squeaker. And involved me running and sweating and cursing and missing the flight anyway. Now I had to get a new flight. Could it be directly to San Diego? No, it couldn’t. I had to fly to Los Angeles, and then fly by flippin propeller plane to Diego. It also didn’t leave for several hours. So, what to do? Nothing but get drunk again at the Vegas airport bar. I need not tell you I WAS ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED at this point.

In the end, I fly into San Diego, but it is after midnight at that time. I don’t know about now, but then the airport closed at midnight and if you wanted to land after midnight the airline had to pay a fine. We land, and low and behold, guess what? My mother-fathering luggage is lost and while I wait over an hour to fill out the form, a cab driver comes in and says “anyone need a cab?” I say no, not realizing what was about to happen, and hadn’t finished filling out my stupid little form. And what now? The airport is closed on a Saturday night, and guess what? No cabs. All my friends are asleep. I spend 50 cents on a pay phone to call a cab, and they don’t bother to tell me no cabs will go there because the airport is closed and it will be presumed to be a mistake when the call goes out.

I sat on the curb for over an hour. I think I look like a hobo at this point. It’s been around 28 hours of traveling with no sleep. I finally go and find a cop who calls a cab for me. This cop and I literally appeared to be the only people in the entire airport. Where did everybody go? He was a real jerk about it too, like he’s doing me this big favor. Maybe he thought I was homeless. So, back to the curb, for another hour. No cab. Finally I go back to the cop and beg him to call a taxi. Literally beg him. He takes my last 50 cents and calls the cab company from a pay phone and gives his badge number and orders a cab to come (apparently they can do that). Cab arrives at 4:30 AM.

I go home and am so exhausted that there is nothing left to do but take a couple shots of tequila. They found my luggage, by the way, my last name is Day, and they sent it to Daytona. That is that city’s 3 letter code apparently. I’m sure I’m forgetting some other details, but this should be enough to make you realize that this was the worst day of my life.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Demotage January 5, 2010 at 8:08 am

That sounds like a flight from hell for sure. I realize you are engaging in some hyperbole, but if that really was the worst day of your life, then your life has not been so bad.

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Honey January 5, 2010 at 9:42 am

Well, Matey, if that was really and truly the worst day of your life, you are laughing. You didn't have a fatal accident, get diagnosed with somethin' terminal, and none of your loved ones did either.

It was a bad day, an inconvenient and exhausting day. You are right to be pissed off. But the worst day of your life??? Come on.

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Jim January 5, 2010 at 10:04 am

I have to agree…you have led a charmed life… if that was the worse day of your life.

Nonetheless, what a pain in the butt….and, travelling that long, without sleep, I understand your frustration….but, thank goodness for alcohol….think how much worse it would have been without it's numbing effect. LOL

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AirportBars.com January 5, 2010 at 9:59 pm

Brutal man… sounds horrible. At least you were able to find brief moments of joy in the airport bars. Cheers!

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