Our two days in Houston last week-end went well. Brady is a souvenir collector when we visit baseball stadiums. He’s never been shut out. He gets a ball or two and, upon several occasions, autographs from players. He has to work to do it, but he loves it. The secret is to arrive as soon as the ballpark opens. If he could help cook the hot dogs he would. He’d do anything if it provided him access to the park five minutes earlier. We have been known to stand in line for an hour before the park opens just so we could be “first in”. Houston was no different.
We saw two games, one Sunday and another on Monday. He picked up a ball at each one. His perfect record continues.
All in all the trip went extremely well until about the fourth inning of the second game. We had planned to leave early from the game because we had to catch a plane for Grand Rapids at 7:55. We wanted to be at the airport by 6:00 so we had time for dinner before getting on the plane.
At 3:01 I received the following text.
Delay Update: Your 7:55 flight from Houston to Grand Rapids is delayed because an earlier delay impacted your plane’s arrival. Your flight now departs at 9:05.
This meant we could stay at the park a bit longer than planned. (I sent a text to Lindsay and David to let them know we would be arriving later.)
3:26 Your inbound plane will arrive late because of schedule disruptions caused by thunderstorms in the Chicago area today, and we apologize for this inconvenience. Your estimated departure time is 9:05, arriving in Grand Rapids now at 12:48 AM. We realize how frustrating delays can be, so your patience is greatly appreciated.
Brady was scheduled to go to camp with members of his 8th grade class on Tuesday morning. He was already going to have a short night’s sleep because his bus was scheduled to leave for camp at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
4:52 Delay Update: Your 7:55 flight from Houston to Grand Rapids is delayed further because an earlier delay impacted your plane’s arrival. You are now scheduled to depart at 9:58.
We’re sorry for the delay and are working to get you on your way.
Brady was looking at a nap now. (I sent another informational text to Lindsay and David.)
8:28 Your 7:55 flight from Houston to Grand Rapids is delayed further because an earlier delay impacted your plane’s arrival. Your flight now departs at 10:35.
We’re sorry for the extra delay and are working to get you on your way.
A short nap. (I updated Lindsay and David.)
9:17 Gate change: Flight XYZ from Houston to Grand Rapids now departs from Gate E24 at 10:35.
We were at gate C6 and had to take the terminal tram to our new gate. At least we were getting some exercise.
9:37 Reminder: Flight XYZ from Houston to Grand Rapids now departs from Gate E24 at 10:35.
I’m not making this up.
10:07 Delay update: Your 7:55 flight from Houston to Grand Rapids is delayed further because an earlier delay impacted your plane’s arrival. Your flight now departs at 11:05.
We’re sorry for the extra delay and are working to get you on your way.
Alright, we’re going to have to drive straight to school so Brady can get on his bus for the field trip. (I sent another update to Lindsay and David. This was starting to interfere with their sleep.)
10:56 Your plane as arrived. Once our team finishes preparing the cabin for departure, we will begin boarding at Gate E24. Your estimated departure time is 11:05 PM, arriving in Grand Rapids at 2:38 AM. We appreciate your patience.
The last forty minutes of our wait time, the “guy at the service desk” gave us updates as well. He kept apologizing and told us that our plane originated in Chicago but was delayed. After it left Chicago, it went to Atlanta and was heading our way from there. All of the trouble was because of a storm delay in Chicago. The rest of the dominoes fell after that.
Brady and I were standing directly in front of Gate E24 as the passengers exited the plane. After the last passenger deplaned, the flight crew exited too.
I turned to Brady and said, “We’re not going anywhere tonight. Grab your bag.” I motioned for Ruth to join us and the three of us started walking towards a service desk that we had passed earlier in the evening. I had noticed the desk and recognized it as one of those “this is where people go when all hell breaks loose desks”.
I could hear the man at Gate E24 announcing that he was sorry but the flight was canceled and we would have to reschedule our flight. He was directing people to the “this is where people go when all hell breaks loose desks”. We picked up our pace.
As the crowd gained on us, Ruth yelled “RUN BRADY!” So Brady ran.
TBC