So we left off with Magical Express picking us up for our ride to the airport
The plan was to catch a flight at 6:30 from Orlando; land in Atlanta at 8:06; depart Atlanta at 10:00 pm; arrive in Baton Rouge at 10:30 pm (time difference occurs between Atlanta and Baton Rouge--- Baton Rouge is an hour behind)
If you were able to see and hear the video, youll catch toward the end that Ryan was going to work the next day
That was going to make for a tiresome day, even if we landed on time at 10:30. Because 10:30 in Baton Rouge was really like 11:30 Orlando time, the time we were used to. And wed been up since 5 am, traveled the park all day, and were already exhausted.
Anyway- we arrive in Orlando with plenty of time to spare. The line through security was SO LONG, but we werent worried our flight wasnt scheduled to leave until 6:30. We arrived at our gate around 5:30. Since we had so much time, we decided to catch up on the real world- payed to use the internet on one of the little computers.
What did we search?
Well, with ½ of the time, I weeded through some emails, and quickly went to people.com to see if any good scoop was going on.
With Ryans ½ of the time, ESPN.
So, that took up a few minutes. Then we decided to walk around into a few of the shops. And around that time, it was 5:50. I figured we should head back to the gate since theyd probably start boarding in twenty minutes or so. Well, we sit, and sit, and sit
And then
They post the flight as DELAYED.
Okay, no freak out yet--- Our layover in Atlanta was nearly 2 hours. We had a little time to be delayed.
It was a 30-minute delay- so we were going to now leave at 7:00.
After sitting a few more minutes, we see its been delayed AGAIN
now a 7:30 depart time.
There were a few other gates where we were that were also going to Atlanta, and we tried to hop those planes, but no luck. They were booked solid. No seats available. Dangit!
So, Ryan decides hes hungry--- we head to the Outback in the airport. I grabbed a sandwich (FINALLY fixed my way mayo, turkey and white bread only!) from a little counter and brought it to Outback where he got some type of wrap.
So, we eat, then head back to the terminal.
What do we see? Our flights now delayed till 8:00. Oh, great! Not good at all. I HAVE to get home tonight!!!! None of my toiletries are packed in my carry on bagtheyre all in my checked luggage! I cant sleep in the airport! And I REFUSE to pay for a hotel room b/c of something thats not my fault. So, what do I do?
Start crying.
Yes, in the middle of the airport. I was so upset, and tired, and gross, and ready to be home! It was horrible. So, Ryan tried to make me feel better saying things like,
Well CourtIf I were by myself, I would be really upset too b/c Id want to be going home to see you. But at least were together. That makes it okay. And theres nothing you can do- its out of your control, so just relax, and everything will be fine. Were going to get home tonight.
Well, nice thought, but it still didnt make me feel better. I wanted to be home!
So, we sit, talking, me trying to stop crying (okay, I wasnt bawling and making a scene, but I was doing the little sniffle, teary eyes thing), and what do we see????
The stupid flight is delayed to 8:40!
That would put us to Atlanta at 10:10---- So, we were going to miss our connecting flight, therefore not getting home tonight. AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! And you know, by the time you sit on the runway waiting your turn to leave, youre really not leaving till closer to 8:50 or 9:00.
I raced over to another gate, where they also had an Atlanta bound flight--- got in the LONG line to put my name on standby. Their flight was supposed to leave at 8:05. IF we caught that one, wed be in Atlanta at 9:35---- enough time to RUN (yet again through the Atlanta airport) to the Baton Rouge bound flight that you just know is going to be on the opposite side of the airport.
So, I FINALLY get to the front of the line, and put our names on the list
. And then wait. And wait.
While waiting, I went to another counter with a Delta worker, but no line of people, and asked them if Atlanta had an outgoing flight to New Orleans any later than the Baton Rouge flight.
My mom was supposed to pick us up from the airport (poor thing, I felt so bad b/c IF we even made it home, it was going to be late. And I just had her on standby the entire night--- Okay, Mom, were leaving at 8. Oops, no, 8:40, etc.) and I really didnt want to make her drive to New Orleans, but if that was the only way we were getting home, then New Orleans it was.
Luckily New Orleans had an 11:45 flight. So, if we missed our Baton Rouge flight, we could hop the New Orleans flight, and get home SUPER late, but still, get home, and get home TONIGHT.
So, were waiting. And they start calling names to fill the standby seats on the 8:05 Atlanta flight. They called about 10 sets of names, and its looking glum for us b/c I have no idea how many available seats there are.
But then I hear:
Courtney and Ryan (insert our last name here)
WAHOOO!!!!! I kid you not, I literally screamed! I was SO EXCITED! And not only did we get on the plane, but we got EXIT ROW seats--- that means LOTS of leg room!!!! And another Delta pilot sat in front of us--- so I made a friend--- asked him stupid questions like:
Okay, what happens to our luggage??? Is it going to be on the other flight??? And if that flight misses our Baton Rouge flight, how am I going to get it??
They said the worst case would be that it would arrive on the first Baton Rouge flight tomorrow.
So, my luggage, I can deal with getting to Baton Rouge tomorrow, but I cant deal with ME getting to Baton Rouge tomorrow.
Anyway, we take off; its a pretty uneventful flight. We land, and OFF WE GO! We RACE to a completely different terminal
And when we get there, sweating, we realize that we are not scheduled to leave at 10:00 anymore
Now its 10:30.
Well, we were okay with that because at least we didnt miss the flight.
The terminal that we were at also housed two other sets of passengers, attempting to get home. It was very confusing what gate was actually ours. We asked the Delta worker at the desk if we were in the correct place, and she confirmed that we were.
There were no seats available, people were spread out everywhere; some taking up two seats because they were laying down--- this aggravated me really bad. However, it appeared as though these people had been here a REALLY LONG time. We sat on the floor. In the airport. Waiting.
When all of a sudden, on the terminal screen, our flight came up, and it said Closed by it.
WHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTT????????
Our flight is CLOSED???? Weve been sitting here the entire time! When did they board? Oh, my goodness, were we in the wrong place????? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan, myself, and all of the other Baton Rouge bound passengers nearly had a throw down with the Delta reps
We swarmed their desk
And they say:
Its not closed. We havent even boarded yet. I dont know why it says that.
Okay, great, but fix the stupid screen b/c youre really freaking everyone out!
While waiting, several of the other passengers waiting were heading to South Carolina (I believe thats where it was headed). Their flight kept getting delayed too.
There were several people we observed--- one mother with her five children. The desk attendants were trying to get her on a flight home. Her flight was delayed, and she was on standby for another flight. They called her name to board her as standby on a flight about to leave, and when she walked up to the counter, they told her they only had two available seats. So, she couldnt take them. She stood at that counter for 30-minutes trying to see what they could do to get her home. And two of her young sons kept coming up to her asking Mommy, when can we leave?
And she was so patient. And calm. And I really really had respect for the way she was acting. And her kids were being so good. I think she raised them right because they were not acting up, they were quiet, they listened to her when she told them to go sit back down.
The lady reminded me of Princess Diana. She had that look and just looked like someone who was respected.
As were watching her, we see that our flight gets delayed to 11:20.
And then we hear an announcement:
Attention Ladies and Gentleman, the flight to South Carolina (insert city here because I cant remember) has been cancelled.
Oh, no!
Poor thing. They did put her up into a hotel for the night and booked her on the first flight in the morning. And with that, we saw her gather her children, and head out of the airport. So sad.
We also saw a soldier in his camo immediately get on his cell phone. Heres how the conversation went (remember, I could only hear his side):
Hey, Mom. My flight just got cancelled.
Oh, dont worry, Im getting home tonight.
Yes, Ill find a way. Im coming home.
I promise, Mom. Dont worry. I love you.
Ill see you soon.
Ohit was so sweet. I wanted to cry for him. I know he wanted to be home so bad. And Im sure his poor little mother wanted to see her son too.
Then, we saw our Mayor- the mayor of Baton Rouge. He went to the desk and asked to speak to a manager. When the manager arrived, he had a nice little conversation with him about who he was, how he had to get home, and how ridiculous this was. Apparently he goes though Atlanta all too often, and this happens quite a bit.
Then
Our flight got delayed to 12:40
Oh, my goodness, it was getting later and later--- So I called Mother again, and gave her an update. Poor thingshe wasnt going to sleep b/c she had no clue what time wed make it home.
But I felt a little more confident about our flight actually taking off at some point, because the mayor was on our flight, and they werent about to cancel his flight
but if they kept pushing back our depart time, who knows what time we would actually get home.
So we sat and waited. Forever. On the floor. In the airport. And waited. And waited.
And finally, they called us to board our plane. I thought this moment would never come!
We boarded our itty bitty plane, found our spot on the runway, and took off. And then landed in Baton Rouge at 1:20 AM--- which Orlando time was 2:20 AM, and wed been up since 5 AM the day before.
We were slightly tired, but we were HOME!
And I was SO worried about our luggage! I am always petrified that it will not arrive with me. And that it will get lost.
But, you know what? It was there. With us. In Baton Rouge!
We got our bags, and met Mother and Maddie at the front of the airport.
And after dropping her off, we were home. Home sweet home. Its never felt so good to be home! So, after starting a load of laundry, then a quick shower, we crashed in our bed, closed our eyes, and dreamed of the next time wed get to go to Disney.
I think Leah Remini has and accent too although I'm probably more used to being from NJ. Everyone thinks everyone from any other place has and accent I guess
.
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When I lived down south, I developed the "talk" to, and it totally confused my family. My speech pattern adapts to what region I'm in, I guess....
You and your husband are super cute 
How long have y'all been married? DH & I have been married for 2 years and 2 months (plus some days) 
lmao: 
- everyone tends to think we talk like that...
Thanks, we can't wait to get to Polynesian. Only 75 more days 
