We started out so hopeful and relieved that we didn't have to worry about a weather related delay like last year. This will be so much better!
10 of us slept at the Hotel near the airport and the other 7 left from home at 4 am. We all met at security check-in at the North terminal for our United flight. We breezed through security, although Mike Dionne was seen giving the security agent a hard time.
We board right on time -- this is great! We're told by the captain that we are number 2 on the runway for takeoff. We sit, we sit, we sit some more. What's going on? We'll, it's just a small thing. The steering isn't working. So now we're stuck on the runway and have to wait to be towed off. We've now been on the plane for an hour and a half. It's been determined that the repair will take too long and this plane is going nowhere.
Back in the terminal, Kathie Morinelli puts on her tour guide hat. Up to the desk she goes and we all sit down like weary travelers with no clue of what is in store for us. After a long while, Kathie informs us that there no more United flights available, but they will be putting us on a Delta flight. We will have to fly to Houston and have to wait until tomorrow to fly to Honduras. We're given vouchers for 3 meals and a hotel in Houston.
Off we trek through the North terminal and catch a shuttle to McNamara. By this time, we are all starving and find a place to eat. We then gather at our new gate, killing time by trying to get our Delta sky miles via cellphone. Our plane is at the hanger but we are not boarding. We continue to wait and are finally told that the plane has no heat --swell. At this point, the GPMC group couldn't care less about heat, just get us out of Detroit!
The plane eventually gets heat, we board and take off for Houston. Upon arrival in Houston , we begin taking bets on whether or not our checked bags will be there for us. To our surprise, they are there. Like tired little children, we follow blindly behind Kathie to ground transportation. The third shuttle bus of the day shows up and the poor driver looks at the size of our group and our 35 bags. We manage to all squeeze in the shuttle and arrive at a gorgeous Hilton hotel. We scatter to our rooms, reconvening for dinner all together at 6:30. Good food, good conversation and awesome beds end day 1. Having begun our day at 3:30 am, we have put in a 17 hour day and we are tired puppies.
-Mary Garlough
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