Simple travel, right?

 Thursday leaving Asheville, the first trick was getting to the plane. Fortunately American Airlines provided wheel chair service for those of us who have difficulty hiking these days.  And due to our plane being at the very farthest gate from the front desk, I could never have made it without that help. The airport is constructing new gates…so lots of corridors made by the construction crews.

The  final three-ramp contraption was up to me to walk it. But did  I have a carry-on bag on wheels to put overhead? Nope. Somehow my  choice of seat towards the back of the plane meant I was in group 9 and this little plane didn’t have enough room for our bags overhead (though my seat-mate on the aisle did). So my bag got checked into the hold, where I was told I could pick it up before going to my next flight. (RIGHT!)

Settled in, waited for take off. While sitting in their wheelchair at the gate I’d overheard a ground crew supervisor saying to another employee, “if Charlotte airport is even open, I’ve heard the President is going to be there.”

Off we go leaving Asheville…just a bit late, but they might make up for it. I have about an hour to get to my next flight.

This was the first time I left Asheville!

Looking down at the French Broad River

Off we went for our short flight to Charlotte NC. About 30 minutes in the air, which means an hour sitting inside the plane. 

BUT…

We circled a few times and the captain said we could not land in Charlotte so were going back to Asheville to refuel. WHAT?

By the time we flew over the Biltmore mansion. In Asheville again, everyone was on their phones to re-book their connecting flights. But most people had a good attitude about it. 

I of course texted my son over and over and over! How could I get to my connecting flight?

American Airlines then posted that my connecting flight was also delayed. OK…so would we be able to land the next time - yes we sat in Asheville while operations decided what to do with us…and eventually…we took off again for Charlotte.

Second take-off from Asheville!

We landed in Charlotte. I’ll post more soon about the rest of the fun!

Today’s Quote:

Joy is the transformation of our suffering, not the escape of all we have to face.

MARK NEPO