Kick in the balls

Just finished a 4 day trip. It was the one trip I was dreading on my schedule for this month. This isn't because I don't like 4 day trips, however, this one started early on the first day. So, I had to commute out the night before. It also ended too late for me to get home the last day. I knew that was the case, so I just tried to plow forward and not think too much about it.

I knew that my last leg on the last day was due to arrive 10 minutes after the last flight home was scheduled to leave. Even if we were a bit early, I'd still not be able to make it. And, to start things off, we were late getting out of the gate to get started on that last turn. However, we were able to make up some time and weren't too late getting into our destination. We pulled off a pretty quick turn there and headed back.

I have to be honest. I was working the numbers in my head. Once we leveled off at our cruise altitude, the computer showed us getting right about on time. I'm not usually one to back down from a challenge or opportunity, so I reached over and eased up the throttles a bit. A couple minutes ticked off our ETA. Looking at our flight plan, I saw a sizable dog leg. We asked for and were granted a short cut from ATC. Another 3 minutes gained.

We got a straight in approach and I even hit the brakes a little harder than normal to exit the runway faster and shorten the taxi to the gate. The taxi was good and efficient and the ground crew parked us with just a few minutes wait.

I bolted from the aircraft as soon as I could. Ran up the jetway to find out what gate my flight home was going out of. I had 10 minutes to get there. It was still a long shot, but I had to try. Sure enough, they couldn't have chosen a gate further away from where we parked. I had to get all the way the hell across this big ass airport in less than 10 minutes.

I ran out to where the electric cart drivers always congregate to chat between themselves while passengers all over the airport sit and wait for electric carts for who knows how long. I knew if I could get one, while it would look a bit silly, that might get me to the gate just in time. Again, forces were conspiring against me. Not a damn electric cart in sight!!!!! Not one!!!! After all the times those bastards just about run me over as I walk through the terminal, now they aren't even anywhere around when I really needed one.

I hopped on a tram, and that took me about 1/2 the way. Then, I hauled on foot the rest of the way. I ran up to the gate, just in time to see the aircraft pushing back off the gate..... what a kick in the balls.

All I needed was either a closer gate, a damn electric cart, or some minor delay of just a few minutes for that flight and I'd have been home right now. Alas, that's just not how this job works sometimes. I tried everything I could to make it work, only to just barely be too late. Suck.

So, if you happen to be in Detroit tonight and you pass by gate A43, you'll likely see some guy trying to catch some rest over in the corner. If you happen to see him still there at 6am, please go tap him on the shoulder and wake him up so he can catch the morning flight home. Thanks, and G'night.