Luxury is relative...

[exflygirl]

...As one of thousands stranded in London last week, the luxury scale varied depending on the circumstance we found ourselves in...What may have been par for the course now became something to be savored...I post this to provide perspective during trying times...

Luxury is...

...securing a room at the inn...The Premier Inn near the airport...It wasn't 5 star, and we weren't greeted with champagne upon arrival; but it was clean, comfortable and convenient...So many others slept at the airport...

...an understanding boss and a network of family to rely on to get you re-booked, re-schedule appointments, etc.

...having the means to make the most of a bad situation...In the mornings we went to the airport to see if we could get on a flight; and in the afternoon and evenings, we played tourist and explored....

...enough miles to upgrade...This allowed us to check-in and clear security on shorter queues, access to the lounge, etc.

...being with the one you love throughout it all...I'm sure we wish we could have spared the other this ordeal...Nevertheless, we were together which was better than being apart especially during the holiday!

efg

[bonniejoy03]

Wow E...Beautifully written. I would have loved to hand this to the European travellers trying to get home on the 19th. We were leaving San Jose CR and flights to the UK were so messed up. There were many tears and screaming going on....We felt so bad that they were so delayed.

[omegaet]

...As one of thousands stranded in London last week, the luxury scale varied depending on the circumstance we found ourselves in...What may have been par for the course now became something to be savored...I post this to provide perspective during trying times...

Luxury is...

...securing a room at the inn...The Premier Inn near the airport...It wasn't 5 star, and we weren't greeted with champagne upon arrival; but it was clean, comfortable and convenient...So many others slept at the airport...

...an understanding boss and a network of family to rely on to get you re-booked, re-schedule appointments, etc.

...having the means to make the most of a bad situation...In the mornings we went to the airport to see if we could get on a flight; and in the afternoon and evenings, we played tourist and explored....

...enough miles to upgrade...This allowed us to check-in and clear security on shorter queues, access to the lounge, etc.

...being with the one you love throughout it all...I'm sure we wish we could have spared the other this ordeal...Nevertheless, we were together which was better than being apart especially during the holiday!

efg

efg.....Well said and this video gives an idea of what happened on the East Coast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Wcq12_Ijk

[LL_Travelfan]

exflygirl,

Well said - did you make it back safely?

[travel2fun]

efg, I think a fresh change of underwear is a luxury when I get involved in a travel delay (always found in my carry on bag).

[exflygirl]

LL_Travelfan...We were supposed to get home 19DEC...We got back 25DEC...We are happy to be home...

travel2fun...When it comes to underwear, I pack twice as much as needed because you never know--and wouldn't you know...The same goes for medication--We were fortunate we had no need for any prescriptions...Our driver to the airport relayed a sad story of an older French couple who had been stuck for several days already and their prescription ran out...It was an ordeal to have to get to a pharmacy to then have to get someone to translate to get their prescriptions filled...

[omegaet]

LL_Travelfan...We were supposed to get home 19DEC...We got back 25DEC...We are happy to be home...

travel2fun...When it comes to underwear, I pack twice as much as needed because you never know--and wouldn't you know...The same goes for medication--We were fortunate we had no need for any prescriptions...Our driver to the airport relayed a sad story of an older French couple who had been stuck for several days already and their prescription ran out...It was an ordeal to have to get to a pharmacy to then have to get someone to translate to get their prescriptions filled...

efg....WOW, a six day delay for Christmas....your best gift was getting home. Sounds like you should take some time to organize your thoughts and put up a new thread on 'tip' and spell out the details of this adventure.

Yes....we also pack extra underwear and a toothbrush in out carry-ons, when going abroad (not always easy to find your choice in many foreign airports).

[kyshel]

Another good reason for carry-on only. So glad you made it, exflygal! You are one of the lucky ones!
I will make sure I have an extra full week of my prescriptions from now on--great reminder that delays can be lengthy. (particularly when on standby)

[michael_choe_ll]

checking in luggage should be free. carry-on should not be free because it's a convenience travelers are willing to pay for. the airline industry has it backwards.

unless i'm missing something...

[bonniejoy03]

WOW...I like this!! I hate seeing people drag TONS of cases, etc on to the plane and then they are stopped because they have tooooo much and start to whine! Boo Hoo!! Check your bags!