Technically, I should be writing this blog entry form the Santiago Airport, however, we are not in Chile, we are in Los Angeles hotel in the charming neighborhood that surrounds LAX. We got to SFO at 9:30am for our 12:05 flight to LA. Due to American Airlines and a mysterious mechanical issue, our flight from SFO to LAX did not leave until 4pm and of course that meant that we missed our connecting flight from LAX to Santiago. It also meant that we never made our flight from Santiago to Calama.
While standing in line at the American counter for 2 hours, we met a woman named Mary Stevens. She's American, but has lived in Santiago for the past 30 years. We teamed up with her in the hopes finding a new flight. The little American Airlines agent, was unable to get us on any other flights, so instead of getting new tickets, we got Hotel Vouchers for hotel in LA and a $10 food voucher that was only good on food purchased in the airport. Then we were assured our bags would be on carousel 1. Upon our arrival in LA, we went to the AA customer service office. Turns out the SFO agent put us in a Hotel in Carson City, so the LA agent corrected the voucher to a hotel next to the airport. Again, we were assured our bags would be on Carosel 1. After grabbing some dinner at the airport with Mary, we went to get our bags.
To our sadness, there were no bags. AA could not tell us where they were, but there were 4 other flights that the bags could be on, all of which would be landing after our own arrival. The kid behind the counter was just an idiot. He gave us a tiny "essentials bag" to which Matt replied, "If these are the essentials, I must have really over-packed."
The one good thing was that my contact in San Pedro, Chile, Martin, was extremely helpful and got us on a new shuttle and re-arranged out day trips so that we could still see everything we were hoping to visit.
Mary (our fellow stranded passenger), will be helping us with a call to the airlines in hopes of getting our domestic flight from Santiago to Calama rescheduled.
Keep your fingers crossed that the 1:35 flight leaves on time and that are bags actually make it to Santiago.
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3 comments:
Hell has no fury like the airlines and their screw ups or my cuz swaz when her back is against the wall on one of her trips. Good luck! One last thing, SWAZ PLEASE, PLEASE be careful in your negotiations with the airlines. We don't need another U.S. Airline going bankrupt!
Tony
Now I know why airplanes are not in my near future use--I think I will go places that I can drive to--anyway, the trip sounds exciting--especially the wedding shoot--how romantic is that--take care--be safe-and soak up all the beauty around you--Hi from the Salinas Riccas ( I will make sure I print off these updates for Ada and Lawrence)
Hello My Dear...remember life is in the journey and this is what makes for some really great storytelling...enjoy the ride.
peace out,
Carla
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