Ok, I now see why we never travel. Money, number one (which is on the road to change) but... WHAT A HASSEL! I hear so many horror stories.. now I have my own.
Truth be told it is not really bad, just a big old pain in the butt. It's never easy organizing six kids and two adults while traveling - we have only had to deal with it by car and that has gotten much easier since the kids are out of diapers.
Air travel. Very different. First off my hand has finally de-cramped from filling out eight passport forms, not to mention having to do 3 of them over again as the kids "signatures" went over the line. I did find out later that I just needed to put a sticker over it rather than re-write the whole darn thing! ARRGG!
To the point, this morning at 8:25 am on the dot was 24hrs before we leave. I jumped on the computer already shuffling the kids in my head as to who and how I would seat them. After 20 min of typing ( having to enter in all the passport info) I was denied my on-line check in.
At first I thought the computer just timed out or something or maybe I entered in the wrong passport #. I stayed calm while shooing the kids away from my intense task. DENIED! DENIED! DENIED.
OK, panic. Our travel agency was not open yet so I did the next best thing and called Delta direct. Can you say useless? (Sorry, Delta but this was pathetic). All he said was, "Yep, looks like for some reason you all can't book in. Don't know why." Duh, yes, I know that, that is why I am calling you.
Travel agent was sympathetic but it was out of her hands. I called Delta again. She did help me by saying that I would have to check in tomorrow morning and it was nothing I did, but for some reason it was not working. She made a note on our file that we could still pay the luggage fees ( yes, you have to pay for luggage) based on the on-line amount. Which works out to be about $2-$3 less then if I pay at the counter. Well, thanks. But it still did not help me.
I decided the only way to do this without stressing out tomorrow morning was to drive out to the airport and do it myself. First I tried their kiosk - not one but three of them all said that they did not recognize my confirmation #.????!!
I searched out the Delta counters and 2 gentlemen were busy talking amoung themselves - nobody was in line and so I quickly scooted up and explained my situation. "Oh, well see that lady over their helping that "other" lady.... she can help you when she is finished." Well, gee sorry to interrupt I thought. I think I am getting a bit bitchy right about now.
The "working lady" was finishing up and I explained again my situation and the first thing she did was check her watch and let me know she only had 10 minutes to help me before she was due to go on her break!!! Yikes.
I smiled and thanked her for all her time. Remember honey works better then vinegar.
Well after 20 minutes, she finally got us set up and I was very thankful that she gave up her break or at least put it on hold to help me out. Sarcasm aside - I really am thankful for her help. I walked away with my tickets and tomorrow all we have to do is book in our luggage.
Positive note... I made it out of the airport without paying a dime in parking - one minute to spare.
See how easy it is to make me happy?
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