One other Janet journey travail

Episode #toomanytocount of Janet’s journey travails.

Careful what you say … You might communicate it into being.

And so, on a Thursday night, I discovered myself chatting on the airport with the nicest girl who lives in Carmel. It turned out we had mutual buddies. Julia was on her technique to Las Vegas together with her daughter for a one-day journey. Her flight was leaving an hour earlier than mine. I joked, “Bet you get to Las Vegas before I get to Tampa.”

My journey points are well-known to my readers. Many say that in the event that they ever see me on their flight, they are going to rebook. Okay, that could be a slight exaggeration, however possibly not.

I used to be taking the 8:30 flight to Tampa, which will get me there about 11 p.m. My bedtime is 10:00, in order that meant a extremely late flight for me. As we lined as much as board, the gate attendant introduced, “Those bound for Tampa on flight 1293, we need you to know that a maintenance issue has been discovered; please take a seat.”

A couple of minutes later, we heard the gentleman say, “Flight 1293 bound for Tampa, please move to Gate 17. We have a new plane coming in from Houston. Your plane will depart at 11:30.” I began attempting to determine the schedule in my already drained mind. 2 a.m. was the time I needs to be dreaming, not entertaining a nightmare.

It’s attention-grabbing how folks react to flight delays. One girl gave the poor gate attendant a chunk of her thoughts. It wasn’t fairly. He went out of his technique to get the older passengers, together with her, one thing to drink. I do not know what her identify was, however my thoughts known as her Karen.

Most folks appeared to suppose “it is what it is.” When we lastly boarded, it felt like herding hungry cats with nary a meow. The pilots and attendants had been flying for many of the day, but they have been nice and easily requested everybody to be affected person. The aircraft was eerily quiet.

We have been advised the unique aircraft had misplaced its navigation lights. I hope Karen realized that would have been a severe subject. Better secure than … sorry.

At 2 a.m., I ordered an Uber that dropped me off at Chuck’s home simply earlier than 3 a.m. I became my pajamas and collapsed into mattress.

My alarm went off at 7:00 the subsequent morning as a result of a contractor was coming for a venture between 10:00 and midday. I took a bathe, obtained dressed, and headed out for breakfast … or so I assumed. I used to be ravenous. I actually wanted espresso with Chobani candy cream. I obtained into Chuck’s little crimson Focus, turned the important thing within the ignition, and heard, Click, Click, Click. Noooooo. We maintain little or no meals within the fridge or pantry. I used to be ravenous. I actually wanted espresso and a Bocado from First Watch.

I known as AAA, they usually stated a truck could be out ASAP. You by no means know precisely what ASAP means. I known as my daughter to inform her about my woes. I used to be near having a come-apart. She stated, “Mom, order a DoorDash.” “Emily, I don’t know how.” She saved my life and ordered me a Starbucks espresso and egg bites.

Honestly, I simply wished to cry. The previous 12 hours had been brutal. I appeared within the mirror and thought I appeared like I had been hit by a Boeing 737.

Here’s the place issues obtained a complete lot brighter.

The DoorDash driver arrived in lower than 12 minutes.

In lower than quarter-hour, the AAA man arrived and jumped my battery.

Janet’s cup of Grande White Mocha was so good it tasted to her like candy ambrosia from on excessive. (Photo supplied by Janet Hart Leonard)

I drank my Grande White Mocha prefer it was a magical potion. The guys at Tires Plus checked my battery and starter and stated the automotive was totally charged and that I needs to be wonderful.

It was a tough begin to my week in Tampa, however I survived and had one other column to put in writing about my journey travails.

So, what about my new pal Julia? Oh, I’m positive she made it to Las Vegas earlier than I obtained to Tampa. Next time, I’ll maintain my ideas to myself.

Janet Hart Leonard might be contacted at [email protected] or adopted on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com.