Please welcome guest blogger Josh from The Architect of Adventure
“The Newark airport will be closed starting at 11pm Wednesday evening. It is not scheduled to open until 12pm Thursday.” Great. I fly to Hong Kong tomorrow and the Newark airport is closed. They are expecting Friday to be clear, but let’s be honest, it's the Northeast. And February.
Flight plan! Albany->D.C->Newark->Hong Kong. Go!
Albany, NY
No snow, no problems. Awesome
Washington D.C
I arrived to find my flight to Newark had been delayed 30 minutes. Ok, this isn't the end of the world. It's snowing outside, but I'm only pushed back 30 minutes. This is doable, but don't push it mother-nature. I’m warning you.
FINALLY we are on the plane. All we have to do now is run through the de-icer and we’re on our way! Wait? What? What's going on? It’s been an extra 30 minutes now. Why we still sitting in line for the de-icer?
And then came the voice from above:
"Well folks, if you are wondering why we are still waiting for the de-icer, we just got a call from Newark. They are completely shut down to incoming planes. We'll check back in a half an hour. Settle in and we'll hopefully get good news here shortly." My flight for Hong Kong leaves at 3:30! We better get good news in half an hour or I am going to be cursing mother-nature for all eternity! Luckily, only 15 minutes passed before we were informed Newark is open again and we can take-off. YES!
Newark, NJ
I am on the ground! With 45 minutes to spare! This might work out after all! All I have to do is catch a bus over to terminal C and I'll be on my way!
Still waiting
Ok people, it’s been 20 minutes, why are we still waiting for the bus? Where the heck is it! Time is ticking people! Let's get a move on!
On the bus
Wait, why are we stopping at terminal B? The bus said terminal C. Wait, we need to get off this bus and transfer to the bus over there? The one that already has too many people on it? Will we all fit? Time check: 15 minutes till departure. OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!
Terminal C
Running! So much running! Thank goodnes my suitcase has wheels. Time check: 7 minutes until departure! Come on legs! Move faster! Wait, there's the departure board. Oh my gosh, where the heck is Hong Kong. Wait! There it is! Hong Kong: delayed. Now departing at 4:05pm. Oh. Thank. God! I'm going to make it! PHEW! I tell ya, there is nothing more gratifying than leisurely strolling up to a crowded gate, sweaty, out of breath, and acting like this was the plan the whole time. Yeah. I like to travel. No big deal. If you thought airports were the boring part of the trip you obviously aren’t doing it right. Next stop Hong Kong!
