So I’m headed off to Minneapolis, via Philadelphia, for the first interviews in my career in nearly seven years. The last time I interviewed for a promotion at Target, I was but twenty three years old.. wondering what I was getting myself into.. Over three months, I got that promotion, which led me from Baltimore to Cleveland and then on to Boston where I’ve lived for the last four years.
I had planned on spending Monday visiting with a trusted former boss in Philadelphia, and a senior executive of the corporation, in order to prepare a bit for my interviews and gain some insight into the future. I’d then head off to Minneapolis, landing at 9:15pm EST, and having dinner with an old friend from California who was also interviewing.
What I got instead was the black cloud of travel hell.
My original Providence, Rhode Island to Philadelphia flight was scheduled to leave at 7:10am. I arrive at the airport, wait in a horribly long line (it was outside when I arrived), only to discovered that my flight was canceled. No problem, I call up the American Express Travel Services emergency line, rebook on the next flight, and settle in for some breakfast.
A four hour wait later, I check in, go through security, and have a cup of coffee, then lunch, then a snack.. as my flight ends up nearly three hours delayed.
The ability to meet with the group in Philadelphia now diminished, they recommend I head to Minneapolis directly. But I can’t.. you see, US Airways has my luggage.
So I travel to Philadelphia, arriving at 2:30pm, with a scheduled phone call with someone for interview prep at 2:30p. He’s delayed with another interview, then a serious situation, and we finally hook up at 5:30pm as I’m having dinner at the Philadelphia airport.
I board my Minneapolis flight at 5:45pm, and sit for an hour as we de-ice and finally take off.
I’m still going to get to Minneapolis at 9:15p. I’m still going to meet a friend of mine for a late dinner..
But first, I have to finish my fifteen hour escapade with airlines and airports.
Whee!
Originally booked