Left luggage

After taking that hurdle we finally got to the runway. There we stopped again: due to bad weather at Atlanta (where did I hear that before?) we could not take-off. So there we were: all sitting in the blazing sun at the beginning of the runway, waiting for the green light to take-off. That took almost 30 minutes, so by that time it was about 14:45. I figured that I still had enough time to catch my connection to Amsterdam at 17:40 as the flight itself takes a mere 40 minutes. I calculated I would be in Atlanta around 15:45 which would give me enough time to do some tax-free shopping before checking in.

Wrong!

About 15 minutes after take-off I had the feeling we were circling around instead of heading for Atlanta. So I fired up the GPS on my HTC P3300 smartphone to see if my feeling was right. Sure enough: it was. We were circling around Dothan, Georgia roughly 220 miles from Atlanta. My initial guess was that we were put into a holding pattern as Atlanta probably had some delays and other flights had to come in first.

But after waiting patiently for another 30 minutes it became apparent that it was going to take longer than expected. The stewardess was doing her best to cater to the - roughly - 50 people on board who - like me - were getting restless. Besides me there where more people that had connecting - international - flights. A couple going to Spain, a woman going to Danmark and a guy that went to Moscow.

Finally I asked the flight attendant what the deal was and why we were in a holding pattern. After she talked to the pilot he finally came on the PA and explained the problem: Atlanta airport was completely shutdown - all incoming and outgoing flights - due to severe weather and he hoped that we would be able to land in about 30 more minutes; the alternative being that we would be re-routed to another airport! Damn! I was just like in July 2005 when I had the same problem!

Sure enough; it took us much longer and it was around 17:00 that we got the green light to move on. By the time we where around Atlanta we didn't land directly but once again we flew another circle around the city. By that time I was sure I was going to miss my flight. It was 17:40 when we landed: exactly the time that my connection would leave; damn!! I did not like the idea of having a 24-hour lay-over in Atlanta!

According to the attendant we would be met at the gate by Delta representatives that would help us. Off there weren't any Delta representatives. So I got my checked carry-on luggage as soon as possible and ran through the terminal.

My Flight to Amsterdam - DL38 - might have a bit of delay as well and I decided to make a go for it. I had to go from terminal C to gate E09. As Atlanta is pretty damn big, so you actually need to take a train to get there. I rushed through the crowded airport: it was obvious that it was a big mess because of the shutdown; I have never seen it so busy!

First I ran in the wrong direction and had to hurry back to get to the train and to the E concourse. I arrived at gate E09 at exactly 18:00 and to my surprise the boarding sign said it would leave at 18:15! Hurray! I still had a chance.

However, there was quite a big crowd at the desk with other people trying to get on the flight as well. Later I learned this were all people who missed their KLM connection to Amsterdam that leaves around 17:00. Since Delta is part of the SkyTeam (airlines working together), they sometimes allow people to change to one anothers flights.

I had no time to wait for those other people so I just blurted out at the attendant: "Hey: am I still on time?" and holding out my boarding pass. She asked me if this was my flight and I said "yes it is". She then proceeded to check me in - different seat than I first had; but who cares; it seemed like I made it.

Another attendant was going to rush me to the gate: the plane had already boarded and the gate would close soon! When we got to the door and sure enough; it is was locked already and she had to use a code to open two doors. Once in the hall we rushed to the plane, only to discover that the door was already closed! Damn!!!! I was so close!

The attendant then started to knock on the door of the plane, while I had already given up my hope to get on board. I noticed then that there where about four security people there - looking at me. To my big surprise and joy they opened the door for me! Yeah! I made it in time! I was rushed to my (window) seat and sat down, still panting from my run. I was literally the last person to board the plane.

The next thing on my mind was my luggage: I was almost sure that it didn't make it to the plane: I made it in less than 20 minutes to the gate, but I knew that all luggage is going through security again and as everything was delayed and backed up I figured that was not enough time.

Sure enough: when I arrived this morning my luggage was still in Atlanta. After filling out some paperwork at the Delta desk at Schiphol I returned home and crashed. I'm hoping my suitcase gets here tomorrow in one piece.

Update: it's now Sunday 5pm and they just delivered my suitcase at my door. All in one piece! Yeah!