- Screwed up Trip -

“Click”, “Click”, “Click”…

Looking at the time on the alarm set by my iPhone, 2AM.

Great! Just great. Converting to Malaysia time is about 3PM in the afternoon. I wonder how hot can it be now in Kuching.

Abruptly woke up from the 3 hours sleep. Make me cranky. Got up and look out from the window.

“Expecting snow heavy snow and storm tomorrow. School will be close and everywhere will be cover in snow.”

It was snowing outside of course. Concerned on the situation and start preparing and put on my last touch up on my luggage.

3AM.

Automatic morning call from the hotel. Quickly head to the reception to make my payment.

Saw a white van pull into the driveway of the hotel lobby.

Went in and the driver pull out from to the airport.

Half an hour later, I was waiting in the airport to check-in. The counter will not be open until 5AM.

“Excuse me, can I check in here?”

“Yes, you may. Can I have your Passport?”

“Here you go.”

“Ah, you flying to Chicago?”

“Yes, Mdm.”

“Sorry to tell you that your flight has been cancel.”

“What?!?!”

“And your flight has been reschedule to 855AM in Boston airport.”

“Boston airport? How long would it take from here?”

“An hour or so. Depending on the weather considering the weather out there, you might have the chance.”

“How do I get there?”

“You can walk to the end of the building and you can see an entrance. Opposite the entrance is a waiting spot for Flight Line, a white van which can take you there.”

“Alright, sounds good. But I need to take my luggage there as well?”

“Yes you have to. And let me help you to print your boarding pass first and it is convenient when you reach the airport. You will only have to check in your luggage.”

“Sounds Great!”

Moments Later…

“Here you go. Enjoy your fly”

“Thank you. Have a nice day”

End up took me 2 hours to reach Logan Airport in Boston.

Quickly paid cash + tips to the driver and pull myself together and rush to the check in counter.

“I’m sorry sir, you can’t make it in time for the flight. It’s 10 minutes to departure time. They won’t let you in.”

Shoot! How close can it be.

“Terrible indeed.”

“Can I have your passport?”

Hand out my passport together with my boarding pass.

“Is there any way you can help me to reschedule this flight to Chicago? I’m on a connecting flight to Singapore.”

“I see your situation here but let me check”

Seconds later…

“There will be no flights out to Chicago at the moment, but I can reschedule another flight for you – fly to Washington, to Narita and Singapore”

“An alternative route? Wait! Is there any cost incur on me for the fly re-route?”

“No, there won’t be.”

“Sounds Great. I’ll take it”

Have no choice at this time around. I need to get back to Kuching whatever it takes. Look at the time. 10 minutes to boarding time.

“Can you help me to Check my luggage to my final destination?”

“Malaysian Airlines? Sorry, I cannot do that. I can only check until Singapore.”

What!?!?! I do not have time to argue with you whether you can help to check to my final destination. If I insists, the plane will be board and I will potential miss another flight.

“It’s ok then. I will retrieve my luggage in Singapore. Thank you for the boarding pass and the rearrangement. Have a nice day”

“Have a nice day and enjoy your flight too”

Quickly, I push myself towards Gate 15. Got through the security check easily.

Great! Just what I need Gate 4? I got 11 more gates to run to.

This is what I’m afraid of. After arguing with the lady just now, I’m sure I’ll miss my flight.

As I make myself towards Gate 15, just in time for me to board the plane.

Took the De-Ice Truck to clean all the snow on the plane for half hour.

And then another long hour flight back to Singapore, connecting from Washington through Narita.

Sunday 23^rd January, 2011 Morning 1230AM

Came out from the Arrival hall and try to locate information counter.

Nobody was sitting there.

Saw a phone and call the information personnel.

“Hello, information counter. How may I help you?”

“Hello, my name is Mr Chung here. I would like to ask you about luggage information.”

“Go on.”

“I have just flew in from US and only checked my luggage till Singapore. Would it be possible if I leave my luggage outside, and claim it later on in the afternoon as I will be connecting flight to Kuching?”

“It is possible sir. If you do not clear the custom and claim your luggage, your luggage will be automatically put into lost and found room. Can you go to the counter near you and ask for more get more information?”

“Thank you”

Hang up the phone and went to the Singapore Airlines counter.

Same explanation from the ladies on the other side. 

“Yes you can leave your luggage behind and claim it tomorrow when you get your boarding pass after check into the Malaysia Airlines counter.”

“That’s Great. Good Night”

Exhausted by the flight and all the massacre of conversation.

Checked in to the Transit Hotel in Terminal 2 and went to bed.

Next Day, when I got into the luggage conveyor, I was stunt that my luggage wasn’t on it.

I froze…

Panic!