Boy, I tell you what. I am so thankful I am not a customer service rep for Airtran. They made us miss our flight yesterday. Dave found a walking stick he really wanted to take home to refine and make into a nice walking stick, rope work and all. In order to get the stick home, it had to fly on the airplane. At first I thought our attempts to get this stick home would be stopped from the get go when we rode the Merta into the airport from Alpharetta. There was a security guy standing next to the ticket check in who mentioned that "pole vaults" were not allowed on the train. Some how we got it on anyway and the 7' stick made it to the Airtran baggage check in. We waited in line for 15 minutes or so and when we made it to the baggage check in they told us we need to have the "stick" wrapped in bubble rap for fear that it would hurt the plane. Folks, if this 7 ' stick with a 2" diameter is going to hurt the plane I have serious concerns about riding on that plane. Know what I mean?
Anyway, Dave went over and had the stick wrapped in bubble wrap for the going price of $9. Ironically, they did not wrap the ends, the part of the stick that would cause the "damage." Thankfully, Dave did not have to wait in the line again before checking the "stick". However, the people at the check in counter when Dave arrived must have been telling the check in lady their life story because he waited for thme to "shut it" for almost another 20 minutes.
Time check: in the airport for 40 minutes
Time to walk through security. Now understand that we are very blessed to live in a smaller community with a simple, four gate airport in central Illinois. Getting through the security is a pleasent experience. They abide by the rules but things move quickly. NOT IN ATLANTA! The security line was wrapped around baggage claim. We waited 45 minutes before we got into the hall way where the security gates were. I am not kidding.... During that 1.5 hour wait, our flight home came....and left....We missed the flight by 20 minutes - the extra time spent in the baggage claim area.
Time check: Waiting to get through security: 1.5 hours
So, we went to our gate and got the next flight to Bloomington scheduled for 4:49PM. It was 10AM. We had been at their airport since 7:30AM but up at 5:30AM. So, time to wait. Meanwhile, Dave decided to talk with Customer service to voice his concern about their poor customer service, their poor policies and anything else he could think of. He was hot. Customer service could not help him out and sent him back to the check in desk - on the other side of security....
Dave had the time and probably needed to walk off a little hot steam. When he got down there the lady he was suppose to speak with was not available. The check in lady asked what he would like done for the inconvience and he said a voucher or, bare minimum, an apologize. Out walks Harvey, the baggage claim person who made us get the stick wrapped in bubble wrap. He asked what he could do. Harvey, could not do anything. It was an ackward.
So, Dave left the counter without any satisfaction. Before leaving, the counter lady mentioned something to DAve about being the man with the "tree" and snickered. It was apparent the story had travelled throughout the baggage check in area and Dave was being made fun of. Not a nice way to treat a customer.
Dave came close to punching someone out at Airtran but thankfully did not. I was not interested in baling him out of airport prison althought I would have and I would have understood.
Finally, we get on our plane. Will is sleeping, a very tired boy after waking up at 5am, a small 1 hour name in the morning and then crashing around 2:45. He wakes up to eat while we take off. Poor little guy, he was so tired. He slept almost the entire way back to Bloomington.
And finally, the "tree", the son, the husband and the wife all make it back to Bloomington airport. I can honestly not think of a time I have been more excited to be home - relieved. Everyone was glad to be home. We found our car, found our luggage, loaded the vehicle and raced to LeRoy to pick up the pups. We get the dogs just as the last few vet people were leaving (we arrived 45 minutes after the office officially closed). Home sweet home. The house we left was a mess but honestly, I did not care. We were home.
And that should be the end of the story but about 15 minutes after we were home Dave asked the amazing question, Em do you remember us grabbing the "tree" (our affectionate term for the walking stick) at the airport. Nope. It was still there. LOVELY! So, Dave races back to the airport to grab the stick. The safety people had moved it inside because it was an "unattended baggage item" but had not destroyed it yet. Dave grabbed the stick and I am pleased to announce, it is home - safe and sound.
Total time in the airport 10 hours
Total time in the air: 1.5 hours
Total time dealing bringing the stick home: 12 hours
Boy, that is going to be a beautiful stick!
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