Maddie's first trip out of town didn't go as smoothly as we had hoped. We hauled all of our baby gear and luggage to the El stop and took the train to the airport. On the way there it started to snow with zero visibility. Surely our flight wouldn't be delayed.
After 4 delays they announced on the intercom that our flight was cancelled (as well as other United flights to Tulsa). It was a mad dash to the customer service counter at the other end of the terminal. People were literally running through the airport, luggage in tow, multiple gate's worth of people, just to beat everyone else to the customer service line. What a bunch of inconsiderate a-holes. I was one of those a-holes. I left luggage, wife, and child behind before the announcement was even done. As I was running through the airport I even pulled out my cell phone to call united customer support.
The customer service line had about 50 people in it already. About 400 lined up behind me. Luckily, I was able to reach someone on the phone after 20 minutes. They booked us on a flight on another airline (and terminal) that was leaving in 10 minutes. I gambled that the American flight would also be delayed, grabbed V/M and luggage, and headed to the American terminal. The American terminal was accessible via tram which was on the other end of the terminal (about a mile away and outside of the security gate). We made it to the tram just in time to hear them announce that it was out of service and that shuttle buses would be able to take us to other terminals. These buses were outside (snow storm). We decided it would be easier to just walk - out to the CTA trains to the city and then head over the American Terminal. At least we wouldn't have to go outside.
We finally arrived at the American terminal and tried to access our tickets via the e-ticketing machine. However, there was an error in printing that required us to stand in another 50 person line.
30 minutes later we make it to the counter. The agent says that a reservation was made in our name but tickets were not issued/confirmed. To top it off, he also said that the flight already left and that he couldn't book us on another flight because the United Airlines agent hadn't released us from the previously cancelled flight. They had us as "checked in" to the cancelled flight. The american agent gave me a phone and I waited another 30 minutes to talk to the united rep. They got things sorted out on the united side, figured out that the American flight hadn't left (Go figure), booked us on the American flight (which was delayed again and didn't even have a gate). Another 30 minutes and we're through security and we're standing in the american terminal. No gate has been assigned. Flight is delayed again. Well, shit. I guess we'll just sit in the last known gate for the flight and wait it out. An hour later and they announce the gate - another terminal - but at least we don't have to go through security again. 2 more delays and we're actually sitting on the plane. Now it's time for Maddie to take a crap and be fussy. Yea! We only have to wait for a de-icing and the OK to go. An hour later, we're in the air! Luckily, she falls asleep just before takeoff. In all, we spent about 14 hours on planes, trains, and airport lines.
Here's some pictures of family in Tulsa
The trip back was just about perfect, however. Here's a pic of Maddie after getting back to the house. She was tired and cranky for the next 2 days.
