Travel woes

Today started out without a hitch. I should have known better than to think it would be a good day to travel.



First of all, let me say that yesterday I finished my thesis!!!! Printed off, handed to my committee, and out of my life for a while. Such a relief, I can't even describe.



This morning I left for Hawaii. I wanted to take my poster as a carry on so it wouldn't get lost, and thought that might be tough. Lucky for me, they let me. Also lucky for me, they checked my bag through all the way to Lihue even though the last leg of the trip was on a different reservation. It was all going far too well.



Then there was Denver. I walked off the plane and into a men's restroom (all the way to the stalls--I was suspicious of the masculine woman at the sinks but chose to walk past--oops). Grabbed a quick lunch (apparently I know my way around the United section of the Denver airport well enough to know where the McDonald's is) and then it all went south. My plane was delayed 10 minutes and then hours. It was now going to leave at the same time my connecting flight at the next airport was departing. Not going to happen. So I (with 75 or so other stranded travellers) headed to customer service. After switching airlines (now I'm with American for the rest of the day), I will make it to Honolulu tonight. But I'm not sure about Lihue. Remember, that last leg was on a different reservation so United only owes me service through Honolulu (and no hotel like other guests that won't make it to Kauai tonight). This is where it gets interesting. Remember how I was excited to get my baggage checked all the way through to Lihue? Well, I built in for the possibility that I would have to go to baggage claim, recheck it, and go back through security before my interisland flight. I had 2 hours for this to occur. Now, with the change of flights, I have 25 (yes, 25) minutes between the arrival of one plane and the departure of the next. The flights are in different terminals. Virtually impossible. But the customer service people for both airlines said I should go for it. My bag will not make it, but I could pick it up in the morning. The end of my day will undoubtedly be interesting. Luckily for me, I have a friend willing to pick me up in Honolulu if I am overnighting there.



So that's my update. I have a poster, computer, toothbrush, and deodorant (forgot that clean underwear). My long day of travel has exponentially increased, but hey, it's an adventure. Plus, I've met a very nice couple on the same set of flights headed to Kauai who has decided I would make a nice daughter...