7:45pm Battle Creek/Kalamazoo International Airport. We just got news that our destination, Chicago, is under some kind of storm warning, and that’s delaying our departure. Figures. As long as I get there with plenty of time to make my connecting flight to Las Vegas, which has also been listed as delayed but leaving at 10:22pm (from the original departure of 9:40). Granted, flying West from Kalamazoo to Chicago I’m gaining an hour so it’s possible to leave here at 7:45 and if the flight is 50-minutes, arrive at O’Hare at 7:35. Weird. Also, we noticed that the sun doesn’t set until 9pm, as if need any additional help screwing with circadian rhythm (or lack thereof). 7:57pm. Still in the ground, waiting to take off… 8:02pm. Still on the ground & delayed, seatbelt sign off/cell service okayed/flight attendant handing out snacks… pilots waiting for clearance to take off. 8:30pm. Still on the ground. No word from the cockpit. I’m listening to chapter 18 of Leviathan Wakes (book 1 of the Expanse). 8:32pm. Weather issues at Chicago, getting pushed back to the gate. New possible departure 9:01pm(?). Damn. I guess I’m going to need to plug my phone so that it doesn’t die before we get to Chicago (down to 39% battery).
9:42pm. Departure update: 10:15pm… making the 10:39 connection in Chicago to LV in doubt… but I don’t think I’ll change my flight from Kalamazoo to Chicago to the AM (where the hell am I going to stay tonight… they’re willing change my reservations but they’re not putting me up for the night). So get out of here whenever the flight leaves and try to make the next flight from Chicago to LV… another update: the flight from Chicago to LV is delayed until 11:03… doesn’t really matter to me, I have my phone plugged in recharging and the airport seats are comfortable. Only not great is that the airport diner/bar never opened so I didn’t get my pre-flight beer and I’m doubtful whether anything will be opened when I get to O’Hare. ????
10:14pm. Back onboard flight AA6175 waiting to take off (again), trying to time it between refueling the plane and next approaching storm. 10:16pm. Cabin doors closed… there are around half a dozen of us who have chosen to take this flight, at least half the number of us who boarded two and a half hour ago. ????10:20pm. Lights down in the cabin, engines revving as we move into position, wing flap configurations being made. It’s very dark outside my window. Can’t see very far as we slowly roll forward. Turning onto the runway, engines up, pushed back into the seat, plane rattles, wheels up, on our way… 10:25pm. Back to my audio book, Leviathan Wakes…
10:34pm. Very bumpy ride through the weather system making it difficult to tap out these words and ending snack service until we get to the other side of the system. There were some pretty good drops…
10:47pm Central Time. Gate K6. Okay. I made it to Chicago! There is a huge line from flights (to the Southeast?) that were cancelled. Thank god I’m not in that group (so far) but we’re waiting for “maintenance” before they begin boarding. Unlike my flight from Kalamazoo, this one is going to be very packed. And just as I anticipated, even if there was more time, none of the restaurants or bars are open, so I’m just going to wait until I get home to get a beverage or something to eat.
11:45pm. Flight delayed to 12:20am…. ugh.
12:20am. On board and iPhone plugged into power (it’s the small things…). Let’s see how much of my audio book I listen to before passing out. ????????✈️ c y’all in Las Vegas.
2:00am. Landed in Las Vegas.
Tags: 2024 road trip, air travel, delayed flights, long travel days, travels
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