Friday 24 February 2023

Forgot to mention, moved over to Tampa either 'cause we're ramblin' folks or possibly due availability and cost of accommodation - spring break in a tourist town. Also closer to doctor and airport. Post-op check, then right to airport. Going home.

Monday

Going home, that is to say, eventually.

Flights from Tampa to Atlanta - hugely oversold. Delta put on another section, which also left without us, making thirteen flights today. Finally got last two seats on final flight of the day. Missed connection to Rome. For layover in Atlanta reserved a room at reasonably priced Comfort Inn near ATL then discovered first, they had no airport shuttle and second, Uber charges fifty dollars for the six miles each way. Yowzer! Went instead to hotel pickup location, found a Hilton with free shuttle and paid same overall for a much nicer hotel. Lesson here somewhere.

Tuesday

Checkout noon so spent all afternoon enjoying the ambience of ATL's E concourse food court. Oddly, check-in experience was unusually pleasant for this airport. Delta employees, who got our flight PNR re-associated with our baggage, which we sincerely hope will show up in Rome when we do, were very friendly and helpful. If not previously mentioned, Delta is great, our airline of preference and should be flown frequently by everyone. This review has nothing to do with keeping them solvent so they may continue paying my pension.

Friday

After confirming in Atlanta they had gotten there and would absolutely be put on our flight, bags did not make it to Rome. Bugger! Using ITA Airways, ETNA bus service and one and a half kilometers of footing from bus station on rain soaked streets, finally arrived home after midnight to no hot water for shower, no propane for hot tea and no 120vac at outlets for coffee maker. No worries, we were too tired and sore to give a flying funicular. All else was good, e.g. batteries were charged and hatches hadn't leaked.

Vegged all yesterday and did just enough today to put above faults aright. Bags finally made Rome and reported sent to Catania, based on phone conversation to Albanian (?) call center, but haven't received local confirmation. Since we were staff standby, bags will not be sent on to us in Licata. May perhaps be able to arrange courier rather than having to take four and a half hours of bus there and back.

Sunday

Finally confirmed bags in Catania, so heading there now - on bus, no courier. Seven hours round trip that could have been spent lying about whimpering pathetically. No worries, we'll make it up tomorrow by arising early, staying up late and directing extra effort toward pathos.

- Later

Picked up bags, which were actually where we were told, and reveled in two plus hour return bus ride to Licata. It just doesn't get any better. One detail to consider is that we didn't have to pay for third bag, which would have cost more than bus tickets. How about that for finding a silver lining in a sky full of cumulonimbus. By the way, this episode should not deter anyone from flying Delta as they are a fine airline and, coincidentally, send me money every month. Thank you for your support.

Jack & Jan