Flight: XNA to Memphis to Boston (NorthWest Airline – NWA, yo)
Leaving XNA at 12:34pm to Memphis (Arriving 1:45pm).
Departing Memphis at 2:15pm, landing in Boston at 6:25pm.
In theory.
We start off on time, then there’s a “10 minute delay” due to “micro-bursts” over Memphis, shutting down that airport.
How will this affect my 2:15 flight to Boston? I only had a 30 minute gap between flights !
An aside: I started reading my book…. The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall, recommended by Lisa Sharp at Nightbird Books. She loved it – a cross between Fight Club and Memento.
Now the release time will be 1:05pm. A 20 minute delay. Great. Super-duper.
At least I had a whole row (2 seats) to myself.
We finally lifted off at 1:22pm. Almost 50 minutes late.
The drink cart rolled down the aisle. I asked for Tomato Juice. Mott’s was handed to me. (It wasn’t bad).
We finally landed in Memphis at 2:26pm. I get on the phone to find out which gate I need to run to. B002D25. I landed at A-11.
The flight to Boston was delayed, but not enough. It was leaving at 2:29pm. I had 3 minutes to boogie.
I finally arrived at B-25 at 2:32pm. Everyone was boarded, and they wouldn’t let me on.
Now I’m booked for a 6:35pm flight (Gate B-33), arriving in Boston at 10:30pm. I lose 4 hours in Boston, but gain 4 hours sitting in the Memphis airport. No Legal Seafood for dinner this evening.
Now it’s time to find some food, and a beverage.
An aside: The platypus collapsible bottle works GREAT. I had it empty in my carry-on bag, and filled it with water from the fountain after going through security. It holds 1 Liter of fluid.
Corky’s BBQ for lunch. Nothing like pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw. I remember when Corky’s used to be in Fayetteville… location by the Mall, on Joyce, and a location on Dickson. Was that in the Bakery Building?
I asked the woman at the NWA gate about my luggage. She said there wasn’t time to check the status of my luggage, since she was getting ready to board the plan. However, “we can only assume that it will arrive with you”.
6:35pm flight to Boston (from Memphis)
Now we’re sitting around waiting for people from late connecting flights. I wish that occurred when I was supposed to leave Memphis HOURS ago.
6:55pm. Finally departing.
The plane wasn’t booked completely, so I had a whole row (3 seats) to myself.
At 7:21pm, they announced a 20 minute delay on leaving Memphis due to one-mile visibility in Boston.
I believe there’s a conspiracy to stop me from getting to Boston.
Take-off (FINALLY) at 7:35pm.
The drink cart rolled down the aisle. I asked for Tomato Juice. Mott’s was handed to me. (It wasn’t bad).
Airplane coffee is a step or three below bad convenience store coffee. But it really smelled divine in that enclosed space.
Flying at night was great. I was watching the lights of the cities from above. Outlined coastlines, bays, and rivers. Baseball parks, landing strips, shopping malls. Spider webs of light. I close my eyes and the lights turn off. Luckily, they re-appear when I open my eyes.
Landed in Boston at 11pm. 4 ½ hours late.
Waiting at the luggage carousel. I don’t see mine.
I go talk to the luggage claim people. Apparently, it’s STILL in Memphis.
(I asked about the security issues that arise when one does not travel with their luggage. I thought it wasn’t allowed. I’m informed that’s only on INTERNATIONAL flights. Oh, and please don’t tell anyone.)
My luggage will be delivered to the hotel tomorrow. I leave the luggage claim office with a cute little blue case containing toothpaste, a toothbrush, generic deodorant, a razor, and a plastic comb.
I took a cab to the hotel from the airport. It cost $27.30 but was well worth it. No way in hell was I going to attempt the subways (the “T”) after all of that.
I get to the hotel (The Lenox Hotel, on Exeter at Boylston) around midnight and check-in.
I go to the room, and it’s REALLY cute and nice, with Aveda products. And free wireless (the way it should be).
All I have with me is my laptop, my camera and lenses, and whatever else happened to be in my carry-on luggage. (Oh, my phone battery is dead, and the charger is in my luggage, which should arrive tomorrow.)
Shortly after midnight, I decide to go looking around. I’m too wound up to go to sleep.
There’s a Restoration Hardware across the street. I’ll have to see if Jill needs anything.
There’s also a nice little Irish pub in the basement of the hotel called Solas, which happens to have one of the BEST pours of Guinness that I’ve ever had.
Now I’m going to bed. Conference at 8am in the morning.
P.S. Last time I was in Boston, it was Summer 2002. I lost my driver’s license in the airport on the way back home. Then I was frisked and searched BOTH in Boston and Chicago going home. “Random selection” my ass. When I finally arrived at XNA, they lost my luggage. I don’t think I’m meant to be in Boston.
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