So, I’ve been out of town. Out of the time zone really. Back in Ol’ Virginny. But that’s a story for a different day. Right now, I would like to tell you about how I got back from Virginia.
So I decided to take a shuttle from my sister’s house in D. C. to Dulles airport in Virginia. The shuttle pulls up, I jump in, and put my suitcase between my legs. The driver looks at me like I’m nuts.
“Um, I usually pu tthose in the back, but uh, okay that works too.”
I feel like an idiot. And so I text my friend who grew up nearby and now lives in the big city (known as the District by those cool enough to live here.) She says she did that the first time she took the shuttle too. Too used to the bus.
Luckily (or unfortunately?) I make it to the airport. Have I mentioned it is 5pm and high time for rush hour traffic?
I check in. “Your flight has been delayed 45 minutes.”
No problem.
Wait a minute…is this a problem? I have a layover in Minneapolis – will I miss my flight out of there? I decide to ask someone at the desk.
“Oh there’s no way you are making it to Montana. The flight is delayed 3 hours now. It will land an hour after your flight takes off. We can rebook you for tomorrow”
Hmm…to be stuck in Minneapolis or D.C.? I call a friend who lives in Minneapolis. No answer. I decide to rebook.
Now this is where it gets good.
Me: “Do you have anything else to Missoula tonight?”
Ticket person: “Where?”
Me: “Missoula.”
Her: “No.”
Me: “What about Butte? That would work too.”
Her: “Where’s Butte?”
Me: “Butte, Montana.” (AKA Butte, America for those in the know.)
Her: “Do you know the airport code?”
Me: “No.”
Her: “I don’t think we have any flights there. I will rebook you for tomorrow.”
Me: “Okay, fine. Can I get a hotel voucher?” (worth a shot, right?)
Her: “No. Do you live in the area?”
Me: “No, I live in Monana.”
Her: “Where’s Montana?” (starts typing).
Me: “What? It’s a state, not a town.”
Her: “Do you know the airport code for Montana?”
Me: “What?? No! It’s a state! I’m trying to get to a town in Montana!”
Her: “What’s it near?”
Me: “What?”
Her: “What is Montana close to?”
Me: “What is it close to? I don’t know…South Dakota?”
Her: “Hmm.” (Turns to other ticket lady). “Do you know the airport code for Montana?’
Lady 2: “I think it’s HLN.”
Me: “No!! That’s Helena! I’m trying to get to Butte or Missoula! They are towns IN Montana! It’s a STATE!”
Her: “I don’t think we have any flights to Montana. I’ll rebook you for tomorrow.”
(Facepalm).
Are you freaking KIDDING ME???????? How can you work for an airline and not know the STATES that are in AMERICA?!?!?
Wow. Blown away.
I am laughing so hard right now.
OMG this is so funny. But only because it’s SO ANNOYING. Why is it so hard to get to Montana?!?! And why are there people in our country who don’t know all the states? WHY?!