So. My non-stop flight back to FLA was scheduled for 4:50pm this past Wednesday, landing in Orlando at 7:20pm. I had budgeted exactly the amount of time I required in order to have 4 hours to get to the Buffalo Airport. Unfortunately, I did not budget for other people's plans. After a few delays, my father and I finally left the house in Oakville at 1:30pm. I felt fairly confident that it wouldn't be a problem because I'd been through the Ontario/NY land crossing five times since moving to the US and knew what to expect. In fact, I had gone on a mini shopping trip to Buffalo the week before with my Mom and my daughter and I hadn't even been asked for my AP documents..... just told to have a good time and we were through. (Keep in mind that my GC had already been issued, however it had arrived at the house after I'd already left for Canada so I couldn't use it. Not that it would have mattered because they were pulling everyone with a GC into secondary that day.)

Arrived at the Queenston/Lewiston border at 2:30pm. Had decided to go that route because it is historically the quickest. Get pulled into secondary.

An hour later, after watching everyone who had been there before me, and everyone who had come after me, get processed through, I approached an officer and told him I was concerned I was going to miss my flight. He was very miffed that I was interrupting him but went over to look for our documents. They hadn't even been pulled from the vacuum tube!!! He pulled them out and put them in the cubby and mentioned to an officer that I had a plane to catch. Then he came back and yelled at me for not allowing myself enough time at the border.

Half an hour later the officer grabs our documents, stamps the AP and the passport, and sends us on our way.... 2 minutes maximum time to process. It is now 4:00pm and highly doubtful I will make my flight. I tell my Dad not to worry about getting me to the airport on time as we race down the highway. We come to a dead stop. There is an accident up ahead. (Of course there is.)

Finally make it to the airport 15 minutes before my flight leaves. The guy at curbside check-in tells me I'm too late and to go inside. A Porter grabs my bags and jokingly asks me if I think I'm the President. I explain I was detained at the border. He then proceeds to explain to me that I always need to make sure I allow enough time to make my flight. That was it. I held up my hands and said "The last thing I need right now is another lecture." End of conversation.

The Porter apologizes and whisks me in front of the crowd waiting to check into the next flight. He gets the attention of an agent and has her book me onto a flight to Baltimore, with a connecting flight to Orlando. It was the last seat. I gave him a good tip and proceeded through security.

Upon landing in Baltimore, I learn my connecting flight has been delayed. I have a 5 hour wait. Oh. Did I mention that I had picked up a cold in Ontario? By the time we took off from Baltimore my cold had progressed to severe chest pain whenever I coughed or sneezed. I felt miserable. We landed in Orlando only to discover that the jetway was broken and we couldn't get off the plane. We were towed to another jetway.

Six hours after I would have initially landed had I not missed my original flight, I was in the car and on my way home. Until we were pulled over by the cops. They were looking for a Nissan with a drunk driver. Wrong car; mistaken identity. "Sorry about that. Have a good night." *pats the car*

It's good to be home.

Ugh...sounds like the trip from hell
Hope your cold gets better!!!

could it have been any worse?!?!?!?!?!

.........at least you made it safely!! lol

That's just how it works. I don't know what it is but when you are safest... the worst happens. Shake it off, trust me. It will just be a good story down the road.

Oh, Krikit. I'm so sorry you had the homecoming from hell.

Glad that you're back at home though... and keep in mind, you'll be telling this humourous story to everyone for years to come

Get better soon hon

Worst. Trip. Ever.

Though I did giggle at the last bit about being pulled over, sorry! What a way to top everything off!

Awwww. Thanks everybody.

I am such a worry-wart that I sat in both planes thinking..... "Maybe it's providence and God is saving me from going down in flames on the flight I was originally intended to be on and I should be grateful." And then I thought.... "But maybe it IS my turn to die and I have been diverted onto a new flight so I can fulfill my destiny and it is THIS plane that's going to crash."

I have no idea where my son gets his acting abilities from.

=)

Oh my goodness .. this would so be my thoughts .. I'm a fellow worry-wart from he!!

UGH......

I can relate to your post though.. Here's one of my fav quotes..

Says one who was Janet Erskine Stuart's assistant for some years, "She delighted in seeing her plan upset by unexpected events, saying that it
gave her great comfort, and that she looked on such things as an assurance that God was watching over her stewardship, was securing the accomplishment of His will, and working out His own designs. Whether she traced the secondary causes to the prayer of a child, to the imperfection of an individual, to obstacles arising from misunderstandings, or to interference of outside agencies, she was joyfully and graciously ready to recognize the indication of God's ruling hand, and to allow herself to be guided by it."

So glad you are home safe and sound

Wow. That was a horrible day!!

I'm happy you are finally home!!

Ugh I hate travel hassles.

Glad you're home

Welcome home, Krikit;

Yes, it is rather interesting how one thing happening will inevitebley set all of the other dominos in play! Or as Robbie Burns would say "The best laid plans of mice and men were e'er to go agae"

For your cold . . . see if you can find some Sambucol at a health food or vitamin store. It really works wonders at shortening the duration of a cold.

Glad to hear you made it safely.....but definitely would have lost patience if I was you with all these people telling you "you should make sure you have enough time for customs and flight".....like you didn't!!! Oh well ! Welcome back home

Thanks everyone! I neglected to mention that the evening before I was out picking up some grocery items that I can't get here in the US and managed to slam the car door on my hand because the wind caught it and I didn't want it to hit the car next to me. Luckily, the door didn't close properly so I only have swollen fingers and bruising and two nails detaching. So while I sat there taking deep breaths and fighting nausea, I thanked God I didn't break anything because I no longer have OHIP. Anyway, not only did I have the return trip from hell, I also did it one-handed. Yeesh.


Thanks Michelle. I really like that quote. I always think that whatever road we are on in life, that is where we are meant to be. And even though some of the things we go through in life are not always happy things, there is always something good to be learned from each event. The thing I took away from this day was to always be mindful of what goes on in other people's lives. You never know if they have just received the worst news of their lives and are just trying to get through the day.


Thanks Kathryn. Anything that sounds like a liqueur for my coffee can't be all bad! But seriously.... this cold is definitely dragging me down and showing no signs of going away so I'll give it a try.


I KNOOOOOOOWWWW!!! I think that was the most frustrating part of the whole day and night! I just wanted to stand there and shout "For the love of God!! I was prepared!! Am I the only one who sees this?" Good grief.

Thanks for being a friend everyone. I'm very lucky to have you.

OMG that is the trip from Hell! I'm glad you are back safely though.

wowzers!!! glad you made it home safely at least.

Ramos