Saturday, September 23, 2006
Stuck at Grand Rapids
Just days before flying to China for my long-waited China job, I found myself in a familiar and yet strange place, "GRR - Grand Rapids Gerald Ford Airport".
Due to the strong thunderstorm condition in Chicago, my 6:26pm UA flight to Chicago last night was delayed by 1 hour at the time I decided to resurrect my trip home. After rebooking to a Northwest flight at 7:54pm. Around 6:50pm, lightning started to strike Grand Rapids, along with strong storms, all the flights were put on hold again, the Northwest flight coming in from Chicago was stuck at Saginaw, which is 138 miles from GRR, for refueling, which basically means it's not going to make it. Not only that, there wouldn't be any flight from any company could fly out of Grand Rapids that night.
Now, after staying at Crowne Plaza for a pleasant night, I am praying at Grand Rapids airport again, hoping there is a way to get me back to San Francisco home today. So far... it doesn't look so bright, my 9:05am flight has been rescheduled to 11am, the reason? the pilot needs more sleep (over this 50-minute flight), according to Government rule.
So, at 8:45am, I am still hoping the 'forecasted' 'scattered strong storm' could come in later, after our 11am flight could take off successfully. I guess the only thing that's comforting is I can have wireless access to the internet, and still be able to finish this blog.
Due to the strong thunderstorm condition in Chicago, my 6:26pm UA flight to Chicago last night was delayed by 1 hour at the time I decided to resurrect my trip home. After rebooking to a Northwest flight at 7:54pm. Around 6:50pm, lightning started to strike Grand Rapids, along with strong storms, all the flights were put on hold again, the Northwest flight coming in from Chicago was stuck at Saginaw, which is 138 miles from GRR, for refueling, which basically means it's not going to make it. Not only that, there wouldn't be any flight from any company could fly out of Grand Rapids that night.
Now, after staying at Crowne Plaza for a pleasant night, I am praying at Grand Rapids airport again, hoping there is a way to get me back to San Francisco home today. So far... it doesn't look so bright, my 9:05am flight has been rescheduled to 11am, the reason? the pilot needs more sleep (over this 50-minute flight), according to Government rule.
So, at 8:45am, I am still hoping the 'forecasted' 'scattered strong storm' could come in later, after our 11am flight could take off successfully. I guess the only thing that's comforting is I can have wireless access to the internet, and still be able to finish this blog.
