Montreal - Day 1 (4/7/10)

Many months ago my cousin Deb invited me on a trip with her to Montreal, Canada. I love traveling, I love spending time with my cousins--the easy answer was an immediate "yes!". Deb needed to attend part of a work conference and I would tag along for fun, shopping, and more fun.

For months I anticipated the trip--a chance to get out of town is always exciting, but a chance to get out my passport and add another stamp--woohoo!!!

Two weeks ago I woke up before dawn (after finishing a paper that was due for class and only getting an hour of sleep), caught a ride to the airport from my favorite taxi driver (my Dad) and learned that my flight had been overbooked. Well, sure, I'd be willing to bump (really)--I'm on vacation and the free flight credit means another trip sometime soon! The very nice gate agent wasn't sure she'd need me to bump, but she booked me on flights later in the day so I'd be sure to make it to Montreal that night. She had me wait to board the plane until the very end. I actually got on the plane, and then not 5 minutes later, the nice gate agent came to find me and asked if I'd be willing to get off--sure! I'm on vacation! I've got nothing but time on my hands, books to read, and a Starbucks card waiting to be used--bring it on!

I'm sure it's hard to imagine spending two hours, much less 6 1/2 hours at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, but it actually went fast. I took a nap, drank some coffee, had some breakfast, did some work on my laptop, started a new book, took another nap, read part of a magazine, drank some more coffee, did some shopping, then got ready to board my first flight. To Detroit. Where I had a 4-hour layover. Don't feel sorry for me--I was on vacation!

When I boarded my flight I realized that I had been re-booked in first class. FIRST CLASS. I have never flown first class. Ever. First class rocks. My new BFF Sharon (head flight attendant) was there handing me a bottle of water and offering to take my coat. In a way, I felt like I was at one of those fancy restaurants. And, if I’d caught on earlier (ie, that I was in first class and that everything was FREE), I would have taken her up on her offer of a pre-flight beverage.

First class passengers have it made. Free food, free drinks, comfy seats, our own little bathroom (though that was just like all the other airplane bathrooms I’ve been in!), etc. And the food was GOOD. I chose the fiesta chicken salad for lunch. People—it had cilantro in it—CILANTRO. And it was yummy, as was the fresh fruit that came with it. And the glass of chardonnay I had wasn’t half bad either (I mean, I’m certainly not going to complain since it was FREE).

I did feel a little bad when we hit some turbulence and they had to suspend beverage service in the “main” cabin (though they continued it for us first classers). I almost wanted to take my glass of ginger ale (we’re talking a REAL glass, not that plastic stuff) back and share it with some of the other passengers…but I didn’t.

For taking the voluntary bump I received a flight credit to be used on future travel—that’s great and why I was so willing to turn my 9 hours of travel into 17 hours of travel. The first class travel experience was a completely unexpected, but totally appreciated, bonus.

If only Day 1 could have ended with the first class experience...but it didn't. We arrived in Detroit to a rainstorm and my 4-hour layover. The Detroit airport is nice. Since I had the time I decided to get some exercise and walked the A, B and C terminals (I was missing my Zumba class at the Y so the walking was good--though my shoulder-bag got heavier with each terminal!). The Detroit airport also has this cool connector tunnel with ambient music and lighting--a picture wouldn't do it justice, but it was sort of like being in one of those aquarium tunnels with the water and fish all around.

Though I was ready for my flight to leave, the airport was not and declared a state of "ground stop"--something about it lightening outside and taking the ground crew off the tarmac. That delayed us another hour but I finally boarded the flight from Detroit to Montreal with several French-speaking fellow travelers. Woohoo!!!

Unfortunately this flight was almost a complete opposite from my first one. I was seated in an exit row (ideally allowing me more leg room), but had a seat-mate who had no issues with "spilling over" into my seat area. Really? Your legs are on my side buddy! And then our flight attendant Denise came down the row to get our consent that we could operate the doors in the event of an emergency.

Denise: Do you confirm that you are physcially able to operate the doors in case of an emergency?

Us: Yes.

Denise: But most important...do NOTHING unless I TELL YOU TO. Do you understand me?

What other answer is there??? I think Denise had had a long day--she had an issue with a passenger who refused to put her purse under the seat in front of her. Then that same passenger tried to get out of her seat while we were still ascending (I was afraid Denise was going to turn the flight around!). The flight got even better when my seat-mate started whistling. That's right people--he was WHISTLING (and not because he was listening to an ipod!).

And then we arrived in Montreal. Whew! But my luggage wasn't waiting there like I'd been told it would (since it should have arrived hours earlier). Then I had to wait almost another hour for the Delta gate agent to return to the baggage area and complete my missing luggage form (I was assured it was in hanging out in Detroit and should arrive the next day).

Thankfully I made it out of the airport and with the help of my French taxi driver, made it to the Marriott Chateau Champlain, my home away from home for the next four days. Vacation--here I come!

Thanks, Delta, for the best and (almost) worst traveling experience of my life--I'll see you again soon when I use that flight credit (maybe even on first class!).