Weekend Getaway: Total Flop

So, much for my plans to spend this past weekend with my mom. I never made it to Atlanta. A glitch in the aviation system rendered my flight delayed not once, not twice, not even four times, but eight times, until it was eventually CANCELLED! Yes, you read that correctly cancelled after being delayed eight times. When the final announcement was made that our flight was cancelled and we'd all be rebooked onto flights the next day, everyone made a mad dash to the counter. How long do you think I waited in line before I made it to the front of the line to be rebooked...1 hour!! My conversation with gate agent was classic and went a little something like this...

Me: Hi, I'd like to be on the first flight to Atlanta on Saturday morning.

DAE: The earliest flight I can get you on is at 3:45.

Me: Um, 3:45...am right?

DAE: Oh no, our flights to Atlanta begin at 6:15 am daily.

Me: Ok, well that's the flight I want to be on.

DAE: I'm sorry, that flight is already oversold.

Me: Huh?

DAE: That flight is oversold.

Me: Well, what's the next flight after 6:15 am?

DAE: The next available flight is 3:45 pm.

Me: So you mean to tell me that the next flight after 6:15 am is 3:45 pm?

DAE: The next available flight is 3:45 pm. There are several flights after 6:15 am, but they are also oversold.

Me: Then how can you rebook us for the next day, if all these flights are oversold.

DAE: Mam all of our flights aren't oversold, only the morning flights. We've done are best to accommodate everyone on a first come, first serve basis. The 3:45 is available.

Me: Well, my trip is ruined. 3:45 will put me in Atlanta around 6 pm. I'm scheduled to return on Sunday at 6 pm, so what use would it be to go for a day. I've been in this airport for almost 12 pm.

DAE: I'm really sorry, the best I can tell you is to try and fly standby on the 6:15 am tomorrow morning.

Me: So that I can sit in this airport again for another 10 hours trying to get on flight after flight. I don't think so.

DAE: Well it's the best I can do, if you don't want to take the 3:45.

Me: No the best you can do is issue me a refund.

DAE: Ok, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience.

Me: It's not your fault. Where can I get my bag?

DAE: *typing*

Me: Where do I get my bag?

DAE: *quiet*

Me: Um, hello...my bag?

DAE: I'm sorry, but your bag is showing onhand in Atlanta.

Me: What??? How can that be? How could my bag make it to Atlanta without me?

DAE: I'm so sorry I have no idea.

Me: Of course not. *walks away*

So, there you have it folks. The closest I made it to Atlanta was the 10 hours spent at Midway Airport trying to get a flight.