Our first flight of the long trip home went well. We arrived in London (I went and got a shower) and a short tome later we were on our way back to the states!
We taxied, and taxied, and taxied some more. We seemed to be doing a kot of moving, but not taking off. Then we sat. And sat a little longer before taking off an hour late.
The flight was a mess. The airline swapped to a smaller plane at the last minute, and several folks that requeated (and purchased) extra leg room didn't get it. The flight was jam packed.
My seat mate was a violent sleeper. I was jabbed, kicked once, ans snored on. Lovely. I wasn't the only one that had a rough leg. Another classmate had a young bot sitting next to him that started vomitting during the rough landing into Atlanta.
Mid-flight we started doing math. Our connection in Atlanta was tight to start with, and add a late arrival and we were genuinely worried not everyone was getting home. As the plane went to unload ot was chaos. We hustled to customs and some of us (me included) got through relatively quickly. Others, were not so lucky.
It appeared three large international fligjts all landed at about the same time and we were lucky enough to be the first inline and not be turned away from the process because they was just no more room. This happened behind us.
Customs got dicey because we all got split up and into tiny groups. I was able to get through customs quickly and checked into the Southwest flight, back through security, ride the tram, and hoof it to the gate. Inwas with the Manhattan trip and we all looked at each other on the tram and said, "no way we all make this flight."
We arrived at the gate out of breath and sweating to hear him say, "we're foing to wait for all of you."
I was skeptical.
I sat down next to Chelsea who was keeping a running tab on who was on and who was left. (We had use of cell phones again!)
One by one our group trickled in and applause would sound from us on the plane.
They held it 50 minutes and all 30 of Class XII's travel group made it on in the nick of time.
Luggage was a different story. One member didn't get their luggage because it was stucjnin TSA holding. Everyone else was greeted by luggage!
It's great to be home.
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