March 18, 2007:

Philadelphia

Just in case you’re wondering where I’ve been and where I am …
A wonderful weeks vacation in Antigua; lots of sun & heat and a totally lazy quiet time with no internet / phone / TV or even my watch :)

Unfortunately our return yesterday was via Philadelphia, and with US Airways.
We finally left the ground in Antigua about 4 hours late, touched down in Philadelphia similarly late, sat 25 minutes before getting to the gate about 11pm. Of course our connecting flight to Boston had gone hours before.

Fabulously, immigration was still well staffed and fast but after grabbing bags we discovered how US Airways behaved - a customer service desk with 2 hours or more queue apparently served by one person; an airport service person who could only say “no flights, no hotels, no options” …

At midnight we headed out to Dollar were they severely price gouged about $600 for a one day one way rent of a “car” (Jeep Grand Cherokee) … and we’re currently still in PA but in a nice Hampton Inn, planning to head carefully home today.

Of course, I’ll miss todays MINI drive down in Plymouth … but I have some great pics of Antigua later which will go up on Margaret&Ian

Posted by GBMINI at 08:11 am | Uncategorized
Comments: 4 (post new comment)

  1. GSKChicago (2007/03/18 @ 9:23 am)

    Sorry for your end of vacation travel nightmare. My wife was scheduled to fly to Philly Friday night for a weekend with college friends. Fortunately, she called the airport before heading to O’Hare to learn her flight was cancelled along with virtually all other flight options in the following 36 hours. So, no weekend visit for her.

    Still much less annoying than what you’re going through. However, I can only offer so much sympathy considering where you’re returning from. So all in all, not so bad for you. :)

    Travel safe.

  2. blalor (2007/03/19 @ 5:51 am)

    Blech. Sorry to hear about that. The price gouging should be illegal! (And probably is…) For $600 you could have bought two and a third BABE contenders…

    My housemate flew out out of Manchester on Friday morning, bound for Texas. He got stuck in Newark for two days after the airport closed. He finally got there about 6am yesterday, about 36 hours late. Crappy weekend to be a traveller. Glad you’re on your way back!

  3. GBMINI (2007/03/19 @ 8:35 am)

    Thanks both … as you say, not so tough considering the great vacation we had :)

  4. RB (2007/03/20 @ 6:58 pm)

    Wow man that sounded to be a horrible end to you nice week off.

    Did you say $600 bucks by Dollar Rental cars. I used to work for them when they were called Dollar-A-Day. They started up in San Francisco area about ‘68-9. I drove cars to LA and then drove other cars back to San Fran or Palo Alto, got $50’s per car, they paid for your gas, food and a plane flight if needed. The owner was a real stand up guy but sold a few years later to some conglomerate.

    I’d write to the company and bitch! All they can do is ignore you.

    OMG I had to write red!… =;¬)

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