Flapping my arms would have been less of a hassle.

[unknownfate]

If you should be given the option of flying U.S. Airways and donning a rollerskate/explosive ensemble, allow me to suggest that you SHOP AT ACME!!!

We left Barrow at about 8 pm Friday night and got to Anchorage at about midnight. We had to switch airlines to fly to Phoenix and despite having confirmed the flight weeks ago, when we get there at midight, with 45 minutes until our next flight left, the desk ladies ixnayed the cat carriers. (I have two cats and since the whole family is leaving for the summer, I have to take them with me.) U.S. Airways doesn't take pets in the cargo, apparently, and so I would have to take them into the cabin with me.

You'd think that would've been mentioned when the person who made my reservations said "Pets in cabin or cargo?" and I answered. "Cargo, if it's available." They didn't. So there I was in the wee hours of the morning, trying to find two soft-sided carriers that I could fit under the seat.

Carrs didn't have them, Walmart didn't have them,and Petco was closed. Without the carriers, I couldn't get on the plane. I would miss cloverbutt's graduation. Also, I was only allowed to take one pet if I was traveling alone (WTF??) so if my parents left without me and I got carriers and followed on a later flight, I would still have to abandon one cat in Anchorage.

Finally, one of the managers, who I believe was being unnerved by my parents' obvious displeasure, said I could go to the south terminal to Alaska Airlines (which we had just left) and buy some carriers from them. So I did. I ran to catch the shuttle and hung over the driver's shoulder muttering "Come on, come onnnnn..." while he putted around the parking lot.

I got to the other airline finally. A very kind woman noticed my agitation and let me go ahead of her. Then, the sweet little girl behind the counter told me she couldn't sell me the carriers because I was leaving on a different airline. Somehow, I ended up clutching the counter with my elbows way up in the air, hunched over and glaring at the poor girl. I told her I would pay her $100 for them then and there. When she hesitated, I threatened to just grab them and run. Both threats and bribes are very out of character for me. It's amazing what sleep and food withdrawal combined with frustration will do.

So she gives in and hands them over and I have to tear out to catch another shuttle to get back to the north terminal to check in the cats and then we have to run like crazy to get to the gate and we have to go through security and Mom refused to carry a cat through the xray machine so I had to run back and forth again, and in all the commotion one cat got left at the security station. So by the time we get to the gate as the last call is made, I have to run all the way back to security to get the poor thing.

And once on the plane it wasn't over. The plane made unbalanced load sounds as we taxied out and was so noisy in the air that I wondered if perhaps all the delays and setbacks had been to save our lives. Perhaps we had been meant to miss the flight, so that when it fell apart in midair and all aboard fell screaming to their deaths, we would be spared.

But the plane didn't fall apart and we didn't die. Graduation is tomorrow, so we made it!

Comments

In a hotel in Illinois somewhere....

[bane-6.livejournal.com]

Hey! We got there just in time for the hooding ceremony and had to smuggle the cats in so they wouldn't cook in the car while we were inside. cloverbutt was so pretty... With the red hair and perfect face and the elaborate black and green robes... she looked like an Amano painting. I was trying to remember all the angles and stuff to draw it later. Of all the times to be sketchbook-less!

But send me your new address as soon as you can! I wanna send you stuff.

In a hotel in TEXAS...

[slayersyrena.livejournal.com]

Woo! Stuff for me? I don't have a real address just yet since we are in gypsy mode but I will try to get you one. How soon do you need it? We won't really be settled in a permanent spot until about 3-4 weeks from now.

I love America! Since arriving we've eaten Greek, Mexican, Chinese, Arabic and Romanian foods! (My old daily choices used to be Korean or American or Korean). Also, Starbucks is far less expensive here! And there are books... Books as far as the eye can see... Neverending choices! Also there's land. Lots of land. And I can see the sky again (so many built up places/buildings in Korea I couldn't see the full sky most the time. Also, empty land was very rare- everything was used up somehow). There's so much green here, and lots of trees. I'm so glad to be back!

How's your summer so far?

Re: In a hotel in TEXAS...

[bane-6.livejournal.com]

WE have the internets! I'm glad to be back up on the mountain too. I could sit and watch the wind through the tall grass all day. I have stuff for el birthday. Just let me know where you want it sent.