10:45 PM - reading my nook in my uncomfortable bed, all packed and ready to leave for the airport at 5 AM.
11:00 PM - sleeping
11:13 PM - American Airlines calls my cell phone (which is on silent so I miss the call) to tell me that my flight at 7:20 AM to Chicago is cancelled.
4:00 AM - alarm clock goes off
4:10 AM - get out of bed, take a shower.
4:30-4:45 AM - final packing, look for cell phone, ipod, and wallet. Hmm... cell phone has a voice mail.
4:45 AM - check voicemail and hear that flight has been cancelled.
4:50 AM - call American Airlines to reschedule the flight, which is now at 12:55 PM.
4:55 AM - walk down to the lobby to let the space camp officials know that I am not riding the shuttle to the airport, but will be staying board the shuttle for the Education Building at 8:30 AM.
5:00 AM - back to my room; curl up on the couch, read TH online, finally fall back asleep approximately 5:45-6 AM.
6:15 AM - roommate Bonnie (also on the Chicago 12:55 PM flight) sees my luggage and realizes I am still here. Groggily answer her, go back to sleep.
7:45 AM - wake up, again.
8:10 AM - head for the lobby with my luggage.
8:25 AM - on the bus for the education center.
8:40 AM - eat breakfast with the Space campers
9:00 AM - head to the Space and Rocket center and Davidson center. Say goodbye to the Apollo 16 capsule and the Saturn 5 rocket. More gift shopping...
9:45 AM - head back to the education building
10:15 AM - on the bus to the airport
10:30 AM - checking in with American Airlines - my 12:55 PM flight is still on time. My 3:45 PM flight to Dubuque is cancelled. The 9:45 PM flight to Dubuque is full. Decide to fly to Chicago and get home from there.
11:00 AM - start looking for rental car options
11:25 AM - meet up with other stranded honeywell teachers who are waiting to get out of Huntsville.
11:40 AM - flight gets delayed to 2:15 PM departure.
12:00 PM - start calling rental car companies - no cars available, no trucks available. Check multiple companies, no one has cars.
12:15 PM - look in to shuttle from O'Hare to Rockford.
12:30 PM - call my buddy Steph and beg her to come pick me up in Rockford. She agrees. Told her I'd keep her updated on when I actually leave.
1:00 PM - flight is now delayed until 3 PM
1:10 PM - airline gate attendant shares that our flight's plane had wind damage in Chicago. It was switched with another plane and fixed. She also reported they are boarding in Chicago now. They are also only flying 10 planes out an our due to electrical issues/storms. With a major airport like that, this is a huge deal.
1:15 PM - discussed with my other stranded travelers how this would effect all of those traveling to space camp today. We decided we were collectively thankful that our travel issues were on the way home, not the way out.
Currently time 1:38 PM - current departure is schedule for 3 PM. I am booked through to Chicago, and I will figure things out once I get there. Keeping my fingers crossed that a car will be available - if not, I have a backup plan. I am very happy that I don't need to rebook my Dbq connection, as I opted out of it at the ticket counter (since I wouldn't get in tonight anyway). Currently there are 10 people standing in line to talk to the gate attendant about rebooking connections.
I have decided to be very zen about this and just go with the flow. Sitting in the airport is not terrible, but I'd really like to be back in Iowa. :-)
Yuck! Travelling is wonderful when everything goes as planned! :(
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