Monday Meanderings - 8.29.2016

The latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine proclaims on the cover, "Secrets to Stress Free Flying." We could have used some of those secrets a few weeks ago when we set out to embark on a cruise.

Our first setback came at the hands of Alaska Airlines. We made the trek out to the airport in time to board a 7am flight to Seattle, only to find that the plane - which at the time was sitting on the tarmac at ABIA - was delayed, first for 30 minutes, then an hour, then 7 hours!. Yes, the 7am plane was now leaving at 2pm - far too late to board the ship in Seattle, and Alaska Airlines couldn't find us a flight on any other airline that could get us there in time.

After a lot of discussion, the cruise line put us on a flight the next morning - again at 7am - that would get us to Juneau by mid-afternoon, where we could join the cruise. So we went home, spent the night in our on beds, and again got up in time for a 7am flight on American, which was also delayed. Long story shortened - after 23 hours of travel - Austin to Dallas to Seattle to Ketchikan to Juneau, we got to our hotel in Alaska, and did board the ship the next morning.

But we're not through. Our return trip was on Delta by way of LAX, only when we got to LA, we were informed that our plane to Austin was not up to the trip, and they would have new equipment in about 3 hours, which put us at home at 2am - just in time to get ready for the first service at church. So between Alaska Air, American and Delta, the only conveyance to leave on time was the ship!

Oh, the Secrets to Stress Free Flying? "Score the best seats." Sorry, when you get re-booked, you get the middle seat. Period. "Board Early." Why? The plane is not going anywhere. "Avoid the crowds." Excuse me? You should see the lines that form when your flight is delayed 7 hours. "Maximize Comfort." In those super-comfortable airport lounge chairs. Check. "Make sure you're insured." The best advice of the lot. We were, and the cruise line and trip-interruption policy covered the cost. Assuming I can finally get Alaska Air to refund my bag fees.

Speaking of travel, I saw an item this week that the nation-wide chain of Howard Johnson Restaurants has dwindled down to... one. Years ago, I joined two other intrepid travelers and drove straight through from Texas to New York. There were HoJos about every 2 hours on our route and I think we stopped at every one of them. Fried clams and a lot of coffee.