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KilaTsunami
October, 2024

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Tell me your airport horror story

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Angioedema
Posts: 397 - Karma: 1,802
Today my (3rd) plane was cancelled after company discovered there's no pilots or attendants. How'd they book 200 people for a flight and forget to book up the (next) pilot? LOL. Been stuck in YVR since Monday, stayed up all night (12 hrs) in a line just to talk to a westjet representative... Loads of other people are in ugly situations all across the country regarding flights. I've seen about 20 grown ass adults cry and a guy throw his bag across the waiting area while screaming on the phone while his 12 y/o daughter appeared calm and collected lmao. On the plus side, I was able to locate my checked bag full of ski gear...

So, whats the craziest outrage you've seen this xmas at the airport??
Dec 21 2022 11:30PM
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Nuno812
Posts: 432 - Karma: 1,792
My wife (at the time girlfriend of 4 years) misspelled my last name by one letter. Like an idiot I didn’t check the booking (even when checking in online 24hrs before). Get to the airlines counter, they check my passport and said they couldn’t give me the boarding pass because of the 1 incorrect letter in my name. They said I could have updated it up to 24 hrs before the flight… ended up buying a same day ticket at a different airline (Turkish Air lol…solid food), with a layover in Istanbul instead of flying next to my gf on Lufthansa (going back to Germany for our annual ski trip/visiting her fam). Eventually got a refund on the flight I got rejected from, but hurt to swipe the credit card on a same day flight (was almost twice the cost of our early booked flight - like 1500 vs 750 iirc). Moral of the story- spell your name correctly, and if someone books a flight for you, CHECK THEY SPELLED YOUR DAMN NAME CORRECTLY.
Dec 21 2022 11:58PM
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Goretex_Vidal
Posts: 758 - Karma: 10,525
I was flying to Tampa park like 12 years ago and my flight got delayed for 5 hours , airport closed and we got moved to the FBO which was still open because of a Sunday night football game. Ended up meeting Michael Strahan and T-Pain.
Dec 22 2022 12:37AM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4505 - Karma: 69,412
I was a teen flying alone for the first time. Idk why my family all left before me but i threw a party and went to the airport a day after them. Had a layover in Atlanta. Plane was originally scheduled for 10:45 but was delayed to 11:15 so im bored as fuck and wondering around. I get ice cream and get back to the gate at 10:40. Planes boarded and gates closed they wont let me on lol. So i go to this motel via airport shuttle. Since i am uncultured swine, i could not understand this black dude ATL accent. get to the hotel and need to pay but I only had an ATM card and not a debit card. So i said okay i’ll Go walk to an atm and the guy was like oh no you should not walk around this area especially if your going to an atm. I guess the airport and surrounding areas are a pretty sketchy area and a scrawny white goofy teenager with braces was an easy target lol. So my parents called and wired money or something and i flew the next day.

to this day, i can still be found wandering off lol.
Dec 22 2022 1:22AM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
SouthWest lost my bags flying to Houston. I was there for work and needed my bags to do my job. They didn’t arrive until the next day, so I was forced to take the whole day off and got a $300 voucher for my personal use. It was awful.
Dec 22 2022 7:54AM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
My Dad does these ski trips with his friends and one year they flew into BC but one guy didn’t make it on time.

When he arrived, his skis were missing and nothing could be done. Eventually they agreed to bring him to their private lost and found room. When he got there, the room was filled with hundreds of lost skis (250+ apparently). Said it was like a ski graveyard. Years and years of skis that are unclaimed go there to die.

On top of a pile was his very beat up ski bag. He just picked them up and left. Said they didn’t verify anything and that he could have in theory just taken anything he wanted. I really wish he took pictures of this room, it sounds legendary.

Anyway when he checked the flight tags on his ski bag, it showed that they flew to Jordan and a bunch of other Middle Eastern countries. They just needed to fly north to BC but instead they took a trip over seas into the desert for a week 😂
Dec 22 2022 8:56AM
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VTshredder69
Posts: 2989 - Karma: -7,917
One time my flight got delayed for 3 hours so i got blacked out drunk at the bar and woke up in Denver. It was epic
Dec 22 2022 9:22AM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9788 - Karma: 72,405
I've got a bunch with missed flights, lost bags, bitchy flight attendants and desk people, sadness of missing a storm by a day, etc. but last winter was definitely up there. Traveled solo and had to haul a 50lb ski bag, 50lb suitcase with broken wheels, backpack, and boot bag from my hotel to rental car to the shuttle and through Seattle Airport to check-in, all in a sling with a freshly dislocated shoulder on my dominant arm. It's not too far but fuck was it a struggle. Then finally get on the flight and it's an eternity, all the while my shoulder is spasming feeling like it's about to fall out; the seats are not meant for a sling so I sat sideways hunched over the entire 6hrs. Hands down worst travel day of my life. I shoulda UPS'd it all and even that still woulda sucked.
Dec 22 2022 10:02AM
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GrapeHunter
Posts: 2399 - Karma: 8,637
Was flying to NZ recently. Got to the airport with about 2 hours before gates closed, get to checkin counter and the lady asks for my NZ eta travel visa. Nobody had told me about this (had about 10 family members fly there the week before, nobody cared to mention this to me). Im scrambling trying to get this thing filled out so i can make my flight, and the visa page wouldn't accept my photo, so i tried over and over for 20 minutes, it finally goes thru. 10 minutes later, the attendant checks and it updated in the system. then my little sisters visa wouldn't come thru, so the attendant has to call to NZ and figure it out. We have 10 minutes until gates close (SLC airport), and guess where our gate is. Yep, its B. They finally get it to go through, they give us our boarding passes, and we start sprinting to B gate. We run into security, and the woman watching the lines goes "are you guys in a rush?" nope, just sprinting for fun. she lets us go into the precheck lane, we get thru security, sprint to B, make it to the kiosk as they are shutting the doors and they wave us on.

then as our 14 flight was landing in Aukland, the chick next to me across the isle starts puking after very mild turbulence. I hate the smell and sounds of puking and almost lost it myself, but i manned up and kept it down. out of country flights are aids
Dec 22 2022 2:03PM
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,578
The next few days are going to write some horror stories. Holiday travel with a major storm system moving across the country is about to be chaos.
Dec 22 2022 2:30PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12506 - Karma: 116,123
We crash landed into two tall commercial buildings in manhattan and the airline didnt even refund me
Dec 22 2022 2:42PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
TRVP_ANGELWe crash landed into two tall commercial buildings in manhattan and the airline didnt even refund me

lmao who tf downvoted that!
Dec 22 2022 3:52PM
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1274 - Karma: 11,538
STEEZUS_CHRI5Tlmao who tf downvoted that!


Jems and skierman
Dec 22 2022 3:58PM
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GrapeHunter
Posts: 2399 - Karma: 8,637
STEEZUS_CHRI5Tlmao who tf downvoted that!


me
Dec 22 2022 5:27PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
GrapeHunterme

you’re milfhunter with a different name. No way you downvoted that. The investigation continues…
Dec 22 2022 5:54PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
Wife and I are flying to Mexico on Christmas day, hoping whatever bullshit this storm causes is cleared up by then and I can't contribute to this thread
Dec 22 2022 6:13PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8896 - Karma: 35,845
TOAST.Wife and I are flying to Mexico on Christmas day, hoping whatever bullshit this storm causes is cleared up by then and I can't contribute to this thread


Where at in Mexico?


Pulled an all nighter last night because I couldn't sleep. Drove to the airport at 245 am. Get to check in at 320 for my 5am flight to see that none of the employees are there and there are two full planes of people sitting and waiting.


Employees show up at 350 and open. One flight got canceled so all of the employees were taken up finding them flights. Half the self check kiosks are down and when I finally get one it won't scan my passport. So I had to wait in the line for help.


Got to my gate 3 minutes after boarding started. Not too bad
Dec 23 2022 10:41AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8896 - Karma: 35,845
Oh also solid chance I'm to only one in my fam that makes it to Mexico lmao. Might be lonely sipping corona on the beach.


I also forgot sunscreen.
Dec 23 2022 10:45AM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
Profahoben_212Where at in Mexico?

Cuernavaca, not a very touristy area, visiting wife's friends.
Dec 23 2022 3:06PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6598 - Karma: 69,844
I got diverted and stuck in the tokyo narita airport during a freak winter storm. All local hotels were booked up and flights got all fucked up. Had to spend the night in the airport which wasn't terrible, they handed out these coleman sleeping bags but they were all japan size so they only came up barely above elbows.

Then my next flight wouldn't be direct to my destination, the only one available within the next few days routed thru seol incheon. All together took like 4-5 days of traveling when it should have taken one. Not the end of the world because it was for work so the time off was kinda a treat.
Dec 23 2022 3:23PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37387 - Karma: 120,113
YVR and the surrounding area might be one of the most depressing places in north America. Everything is frozen and dirty. That's my airport horror story.

Oh and having to be at the airport at like 3am to take COVID tests before driving up to Golden + making sure twelve minors all got through customs with everything in tact. I'm never having kids, good lawd

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2022 at 7:16:34pm
Dec 23 2022 7:15PM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
I love it when things go wrong for pathetic and spoiled assholes who aren't used to being told "no" and they fucking meltdown because they can't get their way.
Dec 23 2022 7:39PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
skiermanI love it when things go wrong for pathetic and spoiled assholes who aren't used to being told "no" and they fucking meltdown because they can't get their way.

There was a “rich” family boarding in front of me that blew a gasket about handicapped/military people boarding ahead of them. Apparently they had paid extra for early boarding and expected to be first.

At the plane entrance the husband again complained in an entitled way to the flight attendant. She just grabbed the intercom mic and announced “fancy pants boarding”. The whole plane looked up at them and their body language was priceless as they tried to find their seats.
Dec 23 2022 8:44PM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
STEEZUS_CHRI5TThere was a “rich” family boarding in front of me that blew a gasket about handicapped/military people boarding ahead of them. Apparently they had paid extra for early boarding and expected to be first.

At the plane entrance the husband again complained in an entitled way to the flight attendant. She just grabbed the intercom mic and announced “fancy pants boarding”. The whole plane looked up at them and their body language was priceless as they tried to find their seats.


Yeah, it sounds like your parents are really huge douchebags.
Dec 23 2022 8:57PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4505 - Karma: 69,412
I rather be surrounded by sick people and crying babies on a a frontier flight than have to sit first class next to Scotty.

actually i would rather be waterboarded than be within a 250 yards radius of @skierman
Dec 23 2022 9:01PM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
partyandBSI rather be surrounded by sick people and crying babies on a a frontier flight than have to sit first class next to Scotty.

actually i would rather be waterboarded than be within a 250 yards radius of @skierman


Reported for upvoting your own post
Dec 23 2022 9:16PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
STEEZUS_CHRI5TThere was a “rich” family boarding in front of me that blew a gasket about handicapped/military people boarding ahead of them. Apparently they had paid extra for early boarding and expected to be first.

At the plane entrance the husband again complained in an entitled way to the flight attendant. She just grabbed the intercom mic and announced “fancy pants boarding”. The whole plane looked up at them and their body language was priceless as they tried to find their seats.


Why do people want to get on the plane first? I am not trying to be on that plane any longer than needed. Unless it's southwest then i want B boarding so i can get an isle or window seat.
Dec 23 2022 11:58PM
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Ski_Alot
Posts: 5900 - Karma: 3,644
My red eye went from a midnight takeoff to 2:30 am, only 2 more hours :))))))))
Dec 24 2022 3:48AM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
TOAST.Why do people want to get on the plane first? I am not trying to be on that plane any longer than needed. Unless it's southwest then i want B boarding so i can get an isle or window seat.

Yea this was a southwest flight.
Dec 24 2022 8:40AM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
My Christmas Eve flight was canceled due to the winter storm. Had my car dropped off, took the shuttle, got through TSA and at my gate it got canceled. I didn’t make it home for Christmas but rescheduled for a Monday flight.

Got up at 3am for my early flight (was on time). Did the whole process over again and once I got to my gate the screen updates to canceled. It wasn’t meant to be.

Here is what bag check looks like at 4:45AM with 5 simultaneous flight cancellations. The only place for information as the phone lines were on hold for 2+ hrs








The line goes well beyond where I stood.
Dec 26 2022 10:08AM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
STEEZUS_CHRI5TMy Christmas Eve flight was canceled due to the winter storm. Had my car dropped off, took the shuttle, got through TSA and at my gate it got canceled. I didn’t make it home for Christmas but rescheduled for a Monday flight.

Got up at 3am for my early flight (was on time). Did the whole process over again and once I got to my gate the screen updates to canceled. It wasn’t meant to be.

Here is what bag check looks like at 4:45AM with 5 simultaneous flight cancellations. The only place for information as the phone lines were on hold for 2+ hrs








The line goes well beyond where I stood.


You sure you're not in line at a Vail ski resort?
Dec 26 2022 10:42AM
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SteezyYeeter
Posts: 3618 - Karma: -12,150
airplane security is wack. fuck the patriot act or whatever made it that way. really, that family with 5 little kids are going to blow up the plane? really you think that? shut the fuck up
Dec 26 2022 12:40PM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
SteezyYeeterairplane security is wack. fuck the patriot act or whatever made it that way. really, that family with 5 little kids are going to blow up the plane? really you think that? shut the fuck up


Pretending like Jihadists don't use children as suicide bombers.
Dec 26 2022 1:34PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9788 - Karma: 72,405
SteezyYeeterairplane security is wack. fuck the patriot act or whatever made it that way. really, that family with 5 little kids are going to blow up the plane? really you think that? shut the fuck up

Oh you naive little soul
Dec 26 2022 2:12PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
SteezyYeeterairplane security is wack. fuck the patriot act or whatever made it that way. really, that family with 5 little kids are going to blow up the plane? really you think that? shut the fuck up

You serious Clark?
Dec 26 2022 2:57PM
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SteezyYeeter
Posts: 3618 - Karma: -12,150
terrorists have never used children as bombs in the US. also while you're talking about islamic jihadists ok fine, search the people that look like islamic jihadists but not me cause i don't fucking look like one. why do you guys like the airport security.
9/11 was just an excuse for the government to have more control over its citizens.
Dec 26 2022 3:25PM
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skierman
Posts: 8334 - Karma: 7,756
SteezyYeeterterrorists have never used children as bombs in the US. also while you're talking about islamic jihadists ok fine, search the people that look like islamic jihadists but not me cause i don't fucking look like one. why do you guys like the airport security.
9/11 was just an excuse for the government to have more control over its citizens.


Yawn.
Dec 26 2022 3:27PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
SteezyYeeterterrorists have never used children as bombs in the US. also while you're talking about islamic jihadists ok fine, search the people that look like islamic jihadists but not me cause i don't fucking look like one. why do you guys like the airport security.
9/11 was just an excuse for the government to have more control over its citizens.

There are other things with the patriot act I have a problem with, airport security is not one even if they are almost useless. I don't fly a ton, but I've never been super inconvenienced by security, but I also get to th airport with plenty of time.
Dec 26 2022 3:42PM
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SteezyYeeter
Posts: 3618 - Karma: -12,150
skiermanYawn.


if you're so scared of islamic terrorist why dont you marry one
Dec 26 2022 5:04PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6979 - Karma: 60,956
Visas in other countries is like the first thing you check..
GrapeHunterWas flying to NZ recently. Got to the airport with about 2 hours before gates closed, get to checkin counter and the lady asks for my NZ eta travel visa. Nobody had told me about this (had about 10 family members fly there the week before, nobody cared to mention this to me). Im scrambling trying to get this thing filled out so i can make my flight, and the visa page wouldn't accept my photo, so i tried over and over for 20 minutes, it finally goes thru. 10 minutes later, the attendant checks and it updated in the system. then my little sisters visa wouldn't come thru, so the attendant has to call to NZ and figure it out. We have 10 minutes until gates close (SLC airport), and guess where our gate is. Yep, its B. They finally get it to go through, they give us our boarding passes, and we start sprinting to B gate. We run into security, and the woman watching the lines goes "are you guys in a rush?" nope, just sprinting for fun. she lets us go into the precheck lane, we get thru security, sprint to B, make it to the kiosk as they are shutting the doors and they wave us on.

then as our 14 flight was landing in Aukland, the chick next to me across the isle starts puking after very mild turbulence. I hate the smell and sounds of puking and almost lost it myself, but i manned up and kept it down. out of country flights are aids


**This post was edited on Dec 28th 2022 at 1:09:21am
Dec 28 2022 1:08AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
TOAST.Why do people want to get on the plane first? I am not trying to be on that plane any longer than needed. Unless it's southwest then i want B boarding so i can get an isle or window seat.


Yeah I usually want to be at the very end. Having a drink till the last minute. Take a piss, sit down right before they close the doors. Only time it was dope being first was being injured and needing crutches to get to my seat, and times I'm flown with a full size guitar where space might be an issue.

Idk. If if was GA pick the best seat maybe. But still Idk. If you have kids and stuff I get it maybe. But who wants to just sit there waiting for people to board.
Dec 28 2022 5:40AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
Turd__AuthorityOh you naive little soul


I mean he's not wrong about airport security. But still weird rant. Whatever, it's the game you play to fly these days. It's been 20 years. If people aren't used to the security by now then idk what to tell them. On the plus some of the aggressive vibes have backed off a lot in the last 10 years or so.

Usually if security is yelling these days it's because they said 200 times to take out the lap top, but people don't take out the lap top or stuff like that.

It is what it is. I don't believe most of it is necessary for safety flying, but whatever. I'll do the things and then grab a drink when I put my shoes on and get everything back in my back pack. Security probably isn't even the worst part of traveling. Especially these days with all the airlines running understaffed and canceling flights at a drop of rain so they can blame the weather. Even then whatever.

I have my phone and guitar these days and sometimes my laptop. I'd rather not sit in an airport but it's not the worst thing.

Hopefully ya'll get home alright/got back to see family alright. Christmas travel is always a shit show but it seemed especially bad this year with the weather.
Dec 28 2022 5:48AM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1808 - Karma: 7,689
People go through security like they drive and then wonder why people road rage, even if security line isnt that long in Denver just because you’re in no rush doesnt mean somebody behind you isnt. Difference is when somebody is being a bumbling fool in security you can cut ahead of them and not worry about being shot in an airport. TSA even appreciates it
theabortionatorUsually if security is yelling these days it's because they said 200 times to take out the lap top, but people don't take out the lap top or stuff like that.

all the airlines running understaffed and canceling flights at a drop of rain so they can blame the weather.

travel is always a shit show but it seemed especially bad this year with the weather.
Dec 28 2022 1:16PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4505 - Karma: 69,412
iH8powPeople go through security like they drive and then wonder why people road rage, even if security line isnt that long in Denver just because you’re in no rush doesnt mean somebody behind you isnt. Difference is when somebody is being a bumbling fool in security you can cut ahead of them and not worry about being shot in an airport. TSA even appreciates it


I’m about the sky bridge security line at DIA. The people who go that route are typically experienced and they were willing to walk so they are a quicker crowd. I went to park city and I beat my boss to the gate who went via TSA pre check

you can totally get fucked there too though. No clue how long the line is until you walk there and then theres no turning back lol

**This post was edited on Dec 28th 2022 at 1:22:40pm
Dec 28 2022 1:21PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6979 - Karma: 60,956
I be not telling people about bridge security because I don’t want it to increase in wait time
partyandBSI’m about the sky bridge security line at DIA. The people who go that route are typically experienced and they were willing to walk so they are a quicker crowd. I went to park city and I beat my boss to the gate who went via TSA pre check

you can totally get fucked there too though. No clue how long the line is until you walk there and then theres no turning back lol

**This post was edited on Dec 28th 2022 at 1:22:40pm
Dec 28 2022 1:30PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4505 - Karma: 69,412
BradFiAusNzCoCaI be not telling people about bridge security because I don’t want it to increase in wait time



Dec 28 2022 1:35PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6979 - Karma: 60,956
If they ask, we can say it’s where the lizard people are
partyandBS
Dec 28 2022 1:42PM
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ASAPCarter
Posts: 918 - Karma: 10,356
Currently stuck at Chicago O’Hare. This is gonna sound chaotic as fuck but I was planning on flying standby with American to San Francisco to get my truck that I left in a random parking lot there almost a month ago, and then drive it down to Santa Barbara to pick up the boys, then drive out to SLC for a week. It’s already an absolute shit show of a plan to begin with, but now with this whole southwest situation going on, all the other airlines are getting overloaded and it’s nearly impossible to get on a flight without paying $1-5k. Just praying I can get on standby to some plane going west and figure it out from there. My head feels like it’s gonna explode lol.
Dec 28 2022 3:50PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 2928 - Karma: 22,263
ASAPCarterCurrently stuck at Chicago O’Hare. This is gonna sound chaotic as fuck but I was planning on flying standby with American to San Francisco to get my truck that I left in a random parking lot there almost a month ago, and then drive it down to Santa Barbara to pick up the boys, then drive out to SLC for a week. It’s already an absolute shit show of a plan to begin with, but now with this whole southwest situation going on, all the other airlines are getting overloaded and it’s nearly impossible to get on a flight without paying $1-5k. Just praying I can get on standby to some plane going west and figure it out from there. My head feels like it’s gonna explode lol.


just cancel your flights and rent a car. SW is too busy to even take phone calls
Dec 28 2022 3:57PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
Dec 28 2022 5:00PM
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ASAPCarter
Posts: 918 - Karma: 10,356
STEEZUS_CHRI5Tjust cancel your flights and rent a car. SW is too busy to even take phone calls


Huh? I’m flying standby with American Airlines, there’s nothing for me to cancel or call Southwest about lol.

Just made it on a nice ass plane to Phoenix, gonna try to connect to SFO from there.
Dec 28 2022 6:06PM
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