Got to Newark where I discovered it was snowing (how pretty, I thought, like an eejit). Went on bus to Jersey Gardens for an hour to pass the time. Got back at 5.30. Flight meant to be at 8. Airport in chaos!. I asked some staff the situation and got told several different things. Got into line quickly. Realised my husband would not be joining me. Then heard airport closed- they had to have known that earlier and they should have announced it over the tannoy. The line I was in moved very very slowly. I waited 6 hours to speak to someone where I was told it would be Tuesday before they could confirm me on a flight. I was too exhausted to argue and sure what could they do anyway?? I explained I had no luggage, coat, money (only 100) and no credit card as I had been expecting just to head straight home. She took pity on me and gave me $16 food vouchers- but there were no hotels. She closed the counter after that and the 150 or so people standing in line after me were left with no answers. The trains weren’t running and there was a huge, massive taxi line.
Lay down on the floor with no blanket or anything- in another line waiting for it to open at 3.30 (it was close to 1am at this stage and I was like a Zombie) woke at 3- to find out that line wasn’t opening- place like some sort of refugee camp. Quickly queued up in Business First line – didn’t care any more. Got seen by CO rep- she told me I was NOT confirmed for Tuesday at all! But that she would be able to confirm me for Monday, and also kindly gave me a standby for that evening (not that there was much hope). Went and stood in another line (sure why not? It’s not like there was anything else to do)- spoke to a very kind guy who went and got his supervisor. She booked me on a confirmed seat to Belfast (about 100 miles from Dublin for those who are unfamiliar with Irish geography) I could have kissed her!! Went off on a very delayed train to watch St. Patrick’s day parade in the freezing cold with no coat (in Las Vegas with husband- who had managed to check in bags but couldn’t get a flight- then they lost the bags!!! He only got one back) I was so tired and lonely- without husband and meant to be all home with our kids at this stage, I just cried. Several people asked me why I had no coat- and all were so kind- offering me money, their coats etc- whoever says New Yorkers are cold is so wrong- even when we went the first time, they were so helpful. Ok, they get on with their own thing which can seem cold – but its huge city- you can’t give a sh1t about everyone!- but if you ask them something they will always help. Big love to all New Yorkers!! XXXXXX.
Went back to airport- all flights outgoing reopened TG. Spoke to husband- no movement there. Got some dinner with vouchers. Checked in at desk for Belfast flight. Was sitting at Dublin gate (directly opposite Belfast gate) and about ten mins before they closed Belfast they called my name for Dublin. Slept most of flight (once we finally took off- over 90 mins delay). Most frightening take off I have ever witnessed- plane dipped from left to right and back several times and stayed really low over the city for a long long time (I was gripping the armrest and I am not a nervous flyer- I used to be cabin crew) I have never ever been so glad to hear the words “Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Dublin” .
Aftermath:
Was very upset at CO’s handling of the whole situation. Felt there should have been tannoy announcements- information was trickled down between passengers waiting in line telling their experiences and accosting random staff as they tried to get from one place to the other!
Was disappointed that trip was overshadowed by this whole incident. I know it was not CO’s fault coz of weather but I dislike being given incorrect info and fibbed to, and as I type my husband is still stranded in Vegas (he’s in Hooters so I am not entirely sure how much he minds- joking, of course LOL).
The other bags never showed up (my husband got one back- after he had not got standby to Houston on Friday from Vegas) and I spent over an hour on hold on Sunday (evening of the day I finally got home- over 24 hours later) to the US and spoke to noone before giving up. Chanced my arm and called Dublin to start the “Lost Bags” procedure and guess what?? The bags were in Dublin!! I have no idea how they got in or when but I gladly collected them. Plus, I was under the impression bags would be offloaded from a plane for security reasons if the owner doesn’t travel- obviously not!!
My husband, as I said, is still in Vegas and is expecting to finally get home on Wednesday. He is a nervous flyer and really needs an exit row so I get the impression he is not being as pushy as everyone else to get on standby for earlier flights (yes, I am annoyed with him over this but far be it from me to belittle anyone’s phobias). However, I think they are rogering people by only rebooking them for four days later- I know for a fact there were seats available on Monday as I looked on their website.
All in all though as I catch up on my sleep, and look through the photos on my camera- and as I write this- I remember the whole trip. It was great fun. We splurged and saved side by side. If the last bit hadn’t happened it would have been 100%
Las Vegas:
Things I would do again:
Take taxi and forget shuttle bus to Strip
Stay at Barbary/Bill’s
Eat at Ellis Island
Go to Voodoo Lounge: would stay all evening too!
Shop at Las Vegas Outlet Center
Things I wish we had done/done more of:
Swim- it was roasting. The only thing that would put me off Bill’s in the summer.
Stroll up and down strip
Play more craps and Roulette, rather than just BJ
Things I would not do again:
Leave husband in Hooters for 5 days LOL
Listen to Continental staff at the airport
Leave Las Vegas for the day on such a short trip
Questions welcome. Thanks for reading!
4Holliers
TR: March 13-16th Do's/Donts and Postscript(Stranded/Snow)
Wow, now I%26#39;m reminded of why I stay away from snow..... what a tough thing to go through, and alone.... Glad some NY%26#39;ers were nice to you. Glad you received the flight earlier than told.... made me finally laugh when you mentioned the husband at Hooters...lol
Glad your pictures remind you of the great time in Vegas, and hopefully next time the weather won%26#39;t be THIS bad of a problem....
Thank you for taking time to write this and break it up into 3 parts.
TR: March 13-16th Do's/Donts and Postscript(Stranded/Snow)
Sorry to hear about you getting stuck in Newark. I fly in and out of Newark on a regular basis so I feel your pain. Unfortunately it’s not easy getting around Newark or New Jersey for that matter without a car and since you weren’t familiar with the area you had no idea where the hotels/motels were.
A little tip I learned from a former boss of mine – as soon as you discover your flight has been canceled, look for a telephone and call their 800 number and re-book through them. It’s obviously easier if you have a cell phone in hand then you can wait in line and hold on the phone at the same time. Since you’re from overseas I suspect you didn’t have a cell phone that works in the states, but hopefully this tip will help you some other time or help someone else.
Hopefully your next trip won’t be so stressful.
SORRY: Forgot to say that the above took place on Friday March 16th and Saturday March 17th FWIW!!
Thanks Dudette: Lots of people were trying to get thru on the 800 number: some managed-but the hold time was apporx 2.5 - 3.5 hours!!!!!
Mostly the line just cut you off as soon as you rang. I didnt try calling much as I had very little battery life left on my Cell at this stage.....
Thanks for the reports. You are brave!
Thats the reason i avoid traveling in the wintertime.Glad you enjoyed yourselves.
I can only imagine how that experience has left a scar on your memories. Glad you got home safely and can catch up on some sleep now,and I hope you can at least enjoy the bed alone...stretch out and use both pillows! Hubby will be home soon hope his flight is better than yours.
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