Airlines and Flights - Unpredictability on the Rise

So we have been thrown a bit of a curveball. Parents had a flight on American Airlines from Dallas and was suppose to land in STL at 7pm this evening. We were then going to make the three hour journey to Morton, unfortunately I got a call around 4.30ish from Mumma sayins that the flight has been delayed half hour. No worries, we would still reach on time and get out of STL on good schedule.

Then another call from Mumma at around 6, their plane, which was coming from Miami, has not shown up yet, so they are still delayed for another half hour. So I told her that she and Papa should go and get some food because I bet they are hungry. Unfortunately they did not find anything vegetarian so only got a milkshake from McDonalds.

Then I got another call 20 minutes later from Mumma. The plane had landed but the flight crew left because their 8 hour shift was over so now they had a plane (which had an issue which was trying to be fixed) as well as no flight crew. I just can imagine Papa getting really antsy. She said that they had told them another hour so and they should be on the way.

Mumma was saying that everyone was very upset with the airline, and that the employees even called security to the gate area for further assistance in case there was any type of rumbling between the airline employees and the customers. Airlines really need to get their act together.

Its now 7 and we get a call from Papa. They are still at the Dallas airport unfortunately the situation is no better. They have decided to get another plane and get another flight crew which will take time. They will tell an hour’s time. I had told Papa to try for other flights, and he said that he tried for everything (Springfield, Peoria, Chicago, etc..) but nothing was successful. He only got two things: (1) Wait for this flight (2) or the very worst to be on the first flight to STL Saturday morning (that’s cutting it real close to our surprise ).

A few more calls in between to find out that Mumma and Papa were given free vouchers to eat food and so they have eaten, which I am relieved.

Last call — they are finally on the plane (it was 9.45pm), and they will reach in about an hour and 17 minutes. Neeraj and I will go pick them up from the STL airport at around 11.15ish. We have decided that they will stay the night here at our place, and then tomorrow morning we will make the trek to Morton.

Still cutting it close to the surprise, but Suraj is aware of everything…he is keeping down the fort in Morton and will make sure that the surprise……remains a surprise.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.