Irritated with Iberia

April 28, 2012

in Odds & Ends Stories

In 1990, I flew from JFK to Málaga, Spain. I picked Iberia over TWA because the Iberia flight did not require a change of planes in Madrid, just a stop. Since I do not speak Spanish, I was worried about encountering problems at Madrid airport. However, when I arrived at JFK, I learned that Iberia had cancelled my flight and merged it with another one that was just JFK to Madrid, and I would have to change planes after all. So they crammed everyone onto the flight.

First, the male flight attendant refused to let me board with my carry-on. OK, it might have jutted out from the seat an inch or two, but I’d been using it for years without problem. No argument was permitted. So I was forced to check it. I fortunately kept the aisle seat. In the middle seat was a woman and infant. She had bought a separate ticket for the baby, but the FA said no, carry him on your lap. She said to me, “I feel sorry for YOU!” Fortunately, the kid was quiet for the whole flight, which was a red-eye.

At Madrid airport, I successfully retrieved my carry-on and just followed the crowd for a hike that led to the domestic airport, where somehow I found the flight to Málaga. Upon arrival in Málaga, I discovered that the domestic terminal where I arrived (since the plane was a separate flight from Madrid) was nowhere near the international terminal. However, I had previously arranged for a taxi to pick me up at the international terminal, since my original flight would have originated in the U.S. So I had to hire a cab, which cost me about $50. Fortunately I had cash in pesetas.

Oh yes, the FAs on Iberia were less than attentive. But it was the only flight I’ve ever been on (outside of Hawaii) that served pineapple juice!

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Substantial April 28, 2012 at 5:38 pm

More than twenty years later you're still whining because Iberia quite rightly didn't let you take your over-size bag with you in the cabin. Cry me a river.

Reply

madachode April 29, 2012 at 8:33 am

That's right, how can you even remember the trip? all this post is rambling of insignificant details of a trip that occured 20 years ago? Were your pants on too tight or were you upset that your mom didn't plan your trip/pack your bag correctly?

Reply

thewrongplaceatthewrongtime April 30, 2012 at 11:10 am

I have a story about Malaga and in Spain in general, also from 1991 and believe me this one I can remember…….
http://thewrongplaceatthewrongtime.blogspot.pt/

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DumbBlonde April 30, 2012 at 2:54 pm

WOW! Are the kids out for summer already? What lousy comments. ::rolls her eyes::

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Substantial May 1, 2012 at 6:14 am

And your comment did what exactly to raise the standard, dear?

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thewrongplaceatthewrongtime April 30, 2012 at 6:13 pm

DumbBlonde, wait till the story is out, 1st June……….

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thewrongplaceatthewrongtime May 24, 2012 at 2:12 pm

My true story will be available in June on Amazon, Smashwords and other sites around the world…….take a look at the cover for my ebook…… http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrong-Place-Wrong-T

Reply

David Perlmutter February 5, 2014 at 10:48 am

WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME has now received over 300 reviews on Amazon with 176 x 5* and now in discussion with two film companies! http://www.amazon.com/David-P-Perlmutter/e/B0089Y

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