Vegas to Phoenix...even if you don't have to...

As we discussed yesterday, I was now going to Phoenix. I have nothing against this fair city, but I really, really did not want to go to Phoenix. Still, according to US Airlines (who, by the way, felt it best to remind me that they don't actually fly to Seattle from Vegas,  hence the Phoenix route - even thought they flew from here to there when I originally booked the flight), this was the only way I'd get there before my appointment at 4pm - 20 hours after my original flight time.

Figuring I'd make the best of my hours in the old PHX, I took my time browsing the gift shops until late morning, then headed to my gate. I still had an hour or so before boarding, so I rolled my carry-on over to the fairly nice Mexican restaurant directly across from the gate, where I could watch the monitor in case they cancelled my flight. Again.

Feeling like I deserved it, I ordered a mimosa and a breakfast burrito. Both were fabulous. I fired up my laptop and got some work done, all the while keeping one eye on the gate. There weren't many people milling about, and at the announcement of the first round of boarding, there wasn't much of a line. I packed everything up and got ready to pay the bill.

I could not find anyone, anywhere willing to take my money. It got to the point that I was wishing I had those electric Popsicles that the guys directing the planes had - no one would make eye contact!! Finally I had to tug on the shirt of a passing waitress (I'm now standing at the cash register watching the third and final wave of folks boarding my plane) and ask her to please swipe my card before I miss my plane.

I wasn't too worried - I mean, I was about 20 fee away, and obviously the plane wasn't crowded. But, still...

All paid up, I rolled my carry-on to the gate, flashed my boarding pass, and was promptly told that I'd have to check my bag.

This bag? My cute little pink polka dot bag that fits so nicely in the overhead that I purposely packed it and it only so I wouldn't HAVE to check my bags? The one that went with me with no problems on the flight from Vegas to here? Why?

"Because the plane is too full for your bag, ma'am," she said as she wrestled it out of my hands. When I almost burst into tears, she told me that she'd wave the $50 fee. This time.

Gee, thanks.

I had to abandon my cute little bag at the end of the hallway, and hope like crazy that I'd see it again.

I was the very last person on the plane. They hadn't started making announcements or anything yet, so at least I was spared the hairy eyeballs of waiting passengers. Folks were still getting settled, putting away their bags and such. The overhead bins were still open, and what did I see? I could have stored my bag and the bags of the traveling Seattle Seahawks in the spaces left. There was plenty of room for my bag!

My entire row was empty. I had no seatmates for the whole flight.

Neither did the guy behind me.

Or the lady across from me.

Full, huh? Or, full as in, "We want another $50 and there's nothing you can do about it."

Unbelievable.

The flight attendants were polite, and the rest of the flight uneventful. I was just amazed at what I had to go through to get that far.

The good news is that my cute little pink bag was, in fact, returned to me in one piece. The bad news is that the one piece is now stained with giant black streaks and smells of jet fuel and sweat.

Never again. This airline has UN-customered me for life.


Morals to the story:

1. Always make sure (both before and after booking a flight) that the airline actually flies to your destination. 
2. Have your burrito and mimosa, but pay for it right away.
3. If they force you to check your carry-on bag at the last moment, go through the motions, then make a break for it at the end of the hallway and take the bag on the plane anyway. There will be room.