Nearing London

I have to admit that it would be disappointing if this update was simply “waiting for my next flight, everything going well”.  Not disappointed.  Wouldn’t be my life otherwise.

Quick background: I used reward miles to book my ticket for a whopping $60. The downside is an 8 hour scheduled layover at JFK in NYC.  I had a little teaser when they asked for volunteers to take a flight four hours later for $500.  That would split the layover between the two airports and be perfect.  Sadly they didn’t end up needing anyone to take the bump.

We started our taxi to the runway and had to turn around.  Pilot comes on explaining that we have mechanical problems, will need to be towed back in, asks everyone to remain seated, and stops there.  A few minutes later he announces that the tow truck broke down and will need to be towed out of our way, then replaced by another.  Nice.

As we start our tow back to the gate about eight passengers decide they should stand up and start getting food out of their bags in the overhead baggage compartment.  The flight attendants were going CRAZY.  The people were completely ignoring them, standing there eating their food in the aisle as the plane rolls back to the gate.

About an hour and a half later we were back in line taking off.  I sat wondering for the first hour if that is what I should expect for the rest of the journey followed by thoughts to the fact that I created a packing list, yet didn’t reference it once after putting it together.  Then Monsters vs Aliens started and my worries were gone.

Now I’m sitting in an almost empty airport watching CNN’s report on “Operation Khanjar” in Afghanistan.  That’s like watching Titanic before a cruise–minus Celine Dion.  Still, my heart will go on…