This year's adventure begins on Tuesday November 13, and, of course, the first snowfall of our season. It wasn't too bad when I left River Hebert, but thankfully, I left when I did. There was quite an accumulation as we made our way slowly to the airport.
My first indication of a problem was when the check-in desk told me we would be late leaving but I would have 30 minutes to catch my flight when I got to Montreal. I waited patiently and then I heard another delay, now to 8:00. There was no agent at the desk so I tried to be calm and wait for them to show up.
In the meantime, I remembered I had asked for email updates so I checked and I'd had several, including one that said my Lyon flight was delayed. When the girl finally came to the desk, she told me she'd been looking at my file. Seems I'm the only one on the flight who is in jeopardy. Thankfully, when I checked in online this morning I'd moved my seat up to 4th row, so I might have a fighting chance to get off quickly. The agent told me I would come in at gate 47 and lyon flight was gate 50, so I reassured myself I could make it.
I was not at ease on the flight and kept checking my watch. We had further delay leaving, getting away about 8:15. They announced it was 1:34 minutes in the air, so I'm still thinking I'm OK, but as we descended into Montreal it was now 9:21 and my flight was leaving at 9:30. It. of course, seemed like we stood forever waiting for them to open the doors. I rushed up the ramp and asked where was gate 50, because it turns out we landed at gate 3. The attendant was aware of me and she said it was too late, They had to close so as not to make everyone late to Lyon.
She told me I should go retrieve my luggage and then they would book my new flight and a room. They were also dealing with a whole flight that was turned back from Halifax. My bag didn't come so I had to go to the luggage desk and they radioed for them to put it on the belt. After another 15 minutes or so, it came. I took the elevator to the departure level and got in line. There I learned that I was not eligible for a room. When I finally got to the desk she kept thinking I was on a flight to Moncton and was trying to make a new reservation.Finally, I got her sorted out and she checked why I was late and then began to try and find a new flight. As it was last year, they'd already booked me on one for Friday (it must not go everyday). I said that was no good, so after much difficulty she got me on one Wed. evening to Frankfurt arriving Thurs. morning in Lyon. By then the attendant from upstairs was there and recognized me, this frazzled old woman. They took sympathy and called their supervisor and got permission to give me a room and meal vouchers.
I had to walk, what seemed like the whole length of the airport, to get to the door for my shuttle. One finally came and by 12:30, their time, 1:30 in my body( having been up since 6), I was at the Quality Hotel. Another ? 1 km.? walk and I was in my room and collapsed on the bed in relief. I had to message David because the last he knew, my flight was delayed to 10:50 Wed. morning. I also let Richard know I was safe, and others I had cried to during my dilemma.
Thankfully, I did sleep although I'd had nothing to eat since lunch at home...no, not true, I had one of their pkt. of pretzels and a cup of tomato juice. After a nice soak in the tub, I went down to breakfast. I'm confused because she gave me a voucher for breakfast but it seems as if it is a complimentary buffet.
I stopped at the desk to find out times for shuttle and in the conversation about my flight not being til 6:15, she told me I could stay in my room till 1. Then, I could store my bags and hang out in the lobby till I had to leave. I said that the girl last night had taken my voucher and given me a $17. one for breakfast combining the amount they'd given for breakfast and lunch. She changed it back to $7. breakfast, and $10. for lunch, but I'd already eaten. I left it at that since I was so grateful for everything that had been done for me.
Now I'm trying to relax in my room, so decided to write this, although I may not post till I arrive, to avoid risking that the kids might see anything. The grandchildren still don't know I'm coming, which turns out to be a good thing to avoid the disappointment.
We are in an industrial area so there isn't even any place to go for a walk. Anyway, I think it's maybe -8 or colder.
Linda, you'll be interested to know that my room is almost exactly like mine in Sydney. Maybe they're related, although this one is not 'Inn and Suites'.
My first indication of a problem was when the check-in desk told me we would be late leaving but I would have 30 minutes to catch my flight when I got to Montreal. I waited patiently and then I heard another delay, now to 8:00. There was no agent at the desk so I tried to be calm and wait for them to show up.
In the meantime, I remembered I had asked for email updates so I checked and I'd had several, including one that said my Lyon flight was delayed. When the girl finally came to the desk, she told me she'd been looking at my file. Seems I'm the only one on the flight who is in jeopardy. Thankfully, when I checked in online this morning I'd moved my seat up to 4th row, so I might have a fighting chance to get off quickly. The agent told me I would come in at gate 47 and lyon flight was gate 50, so I reassured myself I could make it.
I was not at ease on the flight and kept checking my watch. We had further delay leaving, getting away about 8:15. They announced it was 1:34 minutes in the air, so I'm still thinking I'm OK, but as we descended into Montreal it was now 9:21 and my flight was leaving at 9:30. It. of course, seemed like we stood forever waiting for them to open the doors. I rushed up the ramp and asked where was gate 50, because it turns out we landed at gate 3. The attendant was aware of me and she said it was too late, They had to close so as not to make everyone late to Lyon.
She told me I should go retrieve my luggage and then they would book my new flight and a room. They were also dealing with a whole flight that was turned back from Halifax. My bag didn't come so I had to go to the luggage desk and they radioed for them to put it on the belt. After another 15 minutes or so, it came. I took the elevator to the departure level and got in line. There I learned that I was not eligible for a room. When I finally got to the desk she kept thinking I was on a flight to Moncton and was trying to make a new reservation.Finally, I got her sorted out and she checked why I was late and then began to try and find a new flight. As it was last year, they'd already booked me on one for Friday (it must not go everyday). I said that was no good, so after much difficulty she got me on one Wed. evening to Frankfurt arriving Thurs. morning in Lyon. By then the attendant from upstairs was there and recognized me, this frazzled old woman. They took sympathy and called their supervisor and got permission to give me a room and meal vouchers.
I had to walk, what seemed like the whole length of the airport, to get to the door for my shuttle. One finally came and by 12:30, their time, 1:30 in my body( having been up since 6), I was at the Quality Hotel. Another ? 1 km.? walk and I was in my room and collapsed on the bed in relief. I had to message David because the last he knew, my flight was delayed to 10:50 Wed. morning. I also let Richard know I was safe, and others I had cried to during my dilemma.
Thankfully, I did sleep although I'd had nothing to eat since lunch at home...no, not true, I had one of their pkt. of pretzels and a cup of tomato juice. After a nice soak in the tub, I went down to breakfast. I'm confused because she gave me a voucher for breakfast but it seems as if it is a complimentary buffet.
I stopped at the desk to find out times for shuttle and in the conversation about my flight not being til 6:15, she told me I could stay in my room till 1. Then, I could store my bags and hang out in the lobby till I had to leave. I said that the girl last night had taken my voucher and given me a $17. one for breakfast combining the amount they'd given for breakfast and lunch. She changed it back to $7. breakfast, and $10. for lunch, but I'd already eaten. I left it at that since I was so grateful for everything that had been done for me.
Now I'm trying to relax in my room, so decided to write this, although I may not post till I arrive, to avoid risking that the kids might see anything. The grandchildren still don't know I'm coming, which turns out to be a good thing to avoid the disappointment.
We are in an industrial area so there isn't even any place to go for a walk. Anyway, I think it's maybe -8 or colder.
Linda, you'll be interested to know that my room is almost exactly like mine in Sydney. Maybe they're related, although this one is not 'Inn and Suites'.
The second key card is because I left my first in the room when I went to breakfast. I was sure I had it, but found it lying on the bed where I'd placed it so as not to forget it. Comedy of errors, but no one to laugh with, so come along and enjoy the humour.
I am hoping this report means you are safely in Europe.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! I am so glad you were taken care off.
ReplyDelete