We settled on meeting at 6:30 AM at our cabins to start the trip home. The buffet was open at 4:00 for the four people like us that were leaving early. I just couldn't resist all the four's.
It is basically a non stop walk to a line of awaiting cabs. We take a larger suv.
We arrive at the airport just after 7:00. We are in real good shape time wise. Leaving early paid off. Sometimes the congestion to get off a ship takes hours.
There are kiosks where we can print and tag our own luggage tags and boarding passes. Well three of us can. Adrienne's boarding pass won't print. After a 20 minute wait at the counter the agent quickly prints her pass.
On to security check. Probably the most disorganized I have ever seen. Some items were x-rayed over and over. I was swabbed down for explosive residue at least 3 times. Lynn's infamous scissors, which often get scruitny, took 2 people and several minutes before they determined they were too small to be of concern. A fact that was taken into account when she purchased them years ago. After they determined they were OK, back to the beginning to be x-rayed again. Just a very slow process. We have now been at the airport well over an hour. Fortunately Quebec Ciry is a relatively small airport with only about a hundred planes per day.
We wander slowly towards our gate. Even though I had requested wheelchair assistance, I won't need it here. The distance is short.
The wait begins. The incoming flight is late. By the time it arrives and we begin to board, we are past our departure time. This is beginning to not look good. Our connection time in Montreal is only about 90 minutes.
The door is closed. The plane moves a few feet. There we sit. The pilot can't get a landing time in Montreal.
We receive an update via Air Canada's app. It will be another half hour before we depart. Making our connection will be impossible.
Sooner than anticipated the plane gets in position to take off. The pilot informs us the flight time will be 15 minutes less than normal. A miracle on a 55 minute flight.
En route we all get notice that we will be unable to continue our flight on the intended schedule and we all have been rebooked to another flight to Orlando 8 hours later. But all is not lost. The internet also tells us that the incoming flight for our original plane will be an hour late arriving. Is there hope?
We decide everyone is on their own to try and make the original flight. It is probably a mile or more between gates. The kids can almost run. Lynn walks much faster than I. I have requested a wheelchair and will be one of the first off the plane.
We land. I check with the agent. Yes the plane is here. No guarantees they will let us on, but the chances are better if we have the original boarding passes. Thank goodness for paper ones. How far? A long ways. If you run your chances are better, maybe.
I find the wheelchair man. Yes he has a chair for me. Can we go now? No! Not until everyone is off the plane. That will be another 20 minutes. Can we steal your chair? Sure.
Off we go. Lynn pushing. My carryon in my lap. The long route is very well marked. I look for signs, Lynn watches for pedestrians.
The kids catch up with us after about 20 minutes and Steve takes over wheelchair duties.
As we leave one terminal area headed to another they need to scan our luggage tags, indicating we have left the area even though Air Canada still has our checked luggage. So far all is still good.
Eventually we pass through US customs. Quick and easy. Over halfway there.
Soon gate C73 is in sight. Many passengers still waiting to board. This is a good sign. Now the big test. Can we get on the plane?
After a lot of checking we get new boarding passes. Where our luggage will go is anyone's guess.
Shortly I get a message that at least one of our four checked bags is headed to this plane.
There is an issue getting the plane ready and boarding is still being delayed. About 10 minutes after we arrive at the counter. Boarding begins. I am called to board first. I guess a reward for even making it to the plane.
The plane is old. I do not get the extra leg room I had paid for. There are no USB charger outlets, no display screens of any type, no free internet. But at least we won't be 10 hours late getting to Orlando.
The seats are terribly worn out. There. Is no bottom or back support. The gentleman across the aisle from me has to sit crooked with his knees in the aisle because there is no room for him to sit any other way.
Bur at least we are on our way. Then there is an announcement in the cabin. Is there a Doctor on the plane? No response. Is there anyone with any medical training? Still no response.
The entire flight team is busy with a passenger. The plane begins to descend. Are we being diverted?
Silence from the crew. I can overhear one of the attendants on a phone conversation with a medical person somewhere.
The plane levels off at a lower altitude.
No update, and maybe no diversion.
Another hour and the crew announces they will be around with a snack and glass of water. There has been no food or beverage service and we are now about 3 hours into the flight.
The flight attendants appear to be in a more normal routine. We are told we are 30 minutes from Orlando and to prepare for landing.
Our aporoach is through scattered thunderstorms. We land hard but safely and taxi to the gate. After nearly everyone has unbuckled and started to get overhead luggage we are asked to keep the aisle clear for boarding EMS personnel.
Shortly the ill passenger is able to walk off the plane with assistance of EMTs.
Is our luggage really with us? Luggage tracking says so. It is and we are soon on the final leg of a long hard day.
Drop the luggage, turn on the AC and water and go out for dinner. The fridge is empty. Once back home everything is unpacked and all the clothing heads to the washer.
Three weeks to relax before our next "vacation".