I dont think I have ever been on time for a flight. Except for return flights from Ja. bc our much loved taxi driver insists on collecting us ridiculously early and he's always right bc something always goes off at MBJ warranting that extra time, then I get the look from DH...."eides"..."see" and I swallow my humble pie.
So I think if I listed all of my near misses and brushes with death this post would be as long as my legs (hehe..cue the wolf whistles :p) so I will give you the highlights.
Missed return flight to Athens as arrived at Heathrow a day late. Not my fault of course! I told my Olympic guy at this end that I wanted a 2 week trip. In my head that means, if I leave on a Tuesday I return on a Tuesday. Olympic guy loves me so much he obviously couldnt wait that last day and booked my return flight for the Monday and I didnt check. I was travelling alone with 3 kids under the age of 5, my brother had taken me to the airport and fortunately came in to help me at check in.
"this flight went yesterday Madam" O.O
I had to rob the hole in the wall and my brother to raise the extra dosh for a flight that evening and it wasnt cheap. The funny part was when I left my brother at the check in cue with the kids while I went to the ATM. One kid on a leading rain, one in a buggy and a tiny babe in one of those handsfree pouch things. I came back to find the leading rein, wrapped around other travellers disgruntled legs, the buggy rocking back and forth harder than any rollercoaster as its irrate 2yo hostage tried to break free and my brother pogoing on the spot trying to comfort a screaming baby.
"No More!".....my brother told me most sternly
"No more what?"
"KIDS!"
Then there was the Virgin flight to Antigua. Again I was travelling with just the kids but they were a bit older and DH was coming out a week later to join us. I was late, they were boarding apparantly and to get us through the long Gatwick terminal quickly, they put us on one of those little train things with flashing lights and a siren!! The kids thought it was great fun but I was so painfully embarrased. I mean why didnt they just tie a plackard to me saying "This Pain in the Arse is late for her flight" and be done with it. They took us through the VIP lounge as a shortcut. Shucks...no George Michael!!
Hah! One time we stayed overnight in a Heathrow Hotel before an early longhaul flight. I cant remember where we were going but I know it wasnt Ja. Anyway DH was banging on about how we mustnt be late and not leave everything until the last minute. I dutifuly put my alarm on for agreed time. 6.00 am. Alarm rings, lets get up. Dress myself, dress the kids, make coffee for me and DH. Out the door with 1 husband, 3 kids and too much luggage. Get to reception...its only fekkin 3o/c in the morning!!! I had forgotten to change my phone from Greek time to UK time...ooops!! DH's fault completey, his nagging threw me :p. Back to bed for a few more hours kip!
My favorite....We were at Athens flying to London for a connecting flight to Ja. (I love this one bc DH was involved). We are at check in and 4 out of our family of 5 have been checked in when the whole computer system crashes. They cant check our 5th member in or the thousands of people behind us. 2 hours waiting for them to make their repairs. I was at the point of suggesting lets play short straw to see who gets left behind...hehe..when suddenly it was all systems go again. They checked in #5 and told us there would be a delay bc of the cues behind us and to monitor the screens for flight infomation. So we dilly dally around in Duty Free, thinking we have hours yet. No problem bc the Ja flight isnt until the next day. We stop at the Greek Football shop to get a TShirt for our much loved Ja. Taxi Driver. 'Do you think he would like this one? that one? too big? too small? blah blah'. Our name is called out over the tannoy "Mr K........S and family" Rush...panic...that'll do...PAME...let's go!! While running to the gate (where's that train now)? our little one pipes up "are we famous?"...lol..x x