Jonathan (ジョナサン)

Day 8 in Canada Part 2

    Scheduled flight departure time: 1:45pm PST (3:45pm CST). Arrival time at home: 3:20am PST (5:20am CST). 13 and a half hours basically to get home... of course that isn't counting me arriving early at the airport.

    So, I wake up, take a shower and am ready to head out to the airport and then the things in the previous post happened. I got delayed. The flight did end up taking off from Vancouver around 3:40pm PST. While at the airport, I logged into the wireless internet, and used it for free. That was nice, would have been nicer to be on my flight at that time, but still.

    We arrive on the ground in Dallas at about 9:20pm CST, but guess what, there is another plan at our gate, so we get to set on the runway. About 25 mintues later of sitting, the change us to another gate. My connecting flight took off already, but I head over to the last flight from Dallas to Tulsa to see if I can get on it.

    I get all the way over to the gate, and this flight that was suppose to leave at 9:55pm is currently delayed until 10:20pm. I get a standby ticket, and while getting it, the delay changes to 11pm. The plan hasn't even landed yet. I am also told that this flight (which when I called while in Vancouver I was told it was full) already as many standby passengers on the list infront of me. I later found out that the number was 15. Basically, it would be amazing for me to make this flight.

    I do a lot of calling, talking to various members of my family in Tulsa and nearby in McKinny (spelling?). At first, I decided I would rent a car and just drive up if I didn't get the standby, but oh wait, I'm not 25. Finally, after much talking and delibrating, it is determined that John, my brother-in-law, would come up and pick me up. From there I would head to my sister's house and in the morning meet my dad half-way between McKinny and Tulsa. Well, this was then changed to me using John's car and driving it to Tulsa either tonight or tomorrow.

    Anyways, so I start to head back to my arrival gate so I could try and get my luggage that I didn't carry-on (I bought another sharp insturment, so I couldn't exactly get past security for carry-on with it). I finally find an exit that isn't blocked off and start to head to my horribly labeled baggage claim when I hear something over the PA system that sounds like maybe my name and the mention of gate C19 (where the flight to Tulsa is). I am now around where gate A10 is, and on the other side of security. I decide to run back to C19 and see if I can find out what's going on on the off chance I'll get aboard.

    I now have to run and find an open security check point, which takes awhile. Take off my shoes, coat, remove my laptop from its case, etc etc. I make it through and start running for the gate. I don't run too well right now, partially because I am out of shape and mainly because of the cold/sinus infection I've had. Finally I make it all the way back to C19. They are starting to call out names to get onboard. Mine is not called. Now, John is probably nearly here, and I still have no idea about my baggage.

    It was at this point that I was called and informed I would be driving John's car now. Anyways, I take the traam back to A10'ish area and make it there about when John calls me and tells me he is there. I tell him I'm in terminal A area and he goes to park. I finally find a baggage service desk and ask about my baggage. "Your baggage is locked up overnight and will be on the first flight out to Tulsa in the morning." "I can't claim it now?" "Nope.", yayayayayaya, I'm so happy.

    John finally finds me after a bit of confusion, and we head back to his house. I got to show John and Laura the pictures I took while in Canada, and I also gave Laura her birthday present I got while up in Canada.

    I decided to go ahead and drive tonight so that I would already be here and able to do some last minute shopping. Oh, and Jay, I got some Jack in the Box in McKinny as I started my drive back to Tulsa.

    Anyways, I am back in Tulsa, a lot later than I planned, but here none-the-less. It's late, and now I'm contemplating if I'll go to sleep, or just stay up and get some things done, it is 7am now after all.

    Oh, on another note, I wrote this while in Canada, and typed it up while on the plane: What Makes a Leader?. Don't know why I'm posting it on here, but maybe someone wants to read it, who knows.

    TUMEO.