Welcome to Layoverville. Population: Me

[weaktwos]

I'm here in a Chili's in lovely O'hare airport in Chicago, Illinois. The airport is brimming with commerce, as per usual on a Wednesday afternoon.

The flight out was satisfactory. I think this will mark the last time that I use Priceline for air travel. First of all, my travel itinerary arbitrarily changed (I was originally leaving Sacramento at 2pm, the departure changed to 10:55am. Second, I got the absolute LAST row in the plane. This means that while A) I'm right next to the flying toilets, but B) no reclining action. but of course, the row ahead can recline into me.

Did you know that United Airlines is one of the few airlines that has "Bereavement fares"? This allows people who have to make last minute flights an opportunity to pay less. Apparently fares are normally around $600. United charged these ladies about $400 under the bereavement policy. Mind you, you have to provide details about the funeral you'll be attending. Before today, I didn't know such fares existed. And they are refundable can be changed without penalty. That's pretty nice.

Over the course of the trip, I have formed a theory that the absolute LAST row of the plane is the "Bereavement and Priceline Aisle". Why? Because it was me, and two ladies who were on their way from and to funerals.

Despite that, I couldn't have sat next to two more well-behaved and delightful ladies. One of them was a retired nurse. Another used to be a pilot. Some good conversation was had.

So, I'm here for 3 more hours. Woohah.

I hope your days are going well!

Comments

[reannon.livejournal.com]

I used American's bereavement fare to get back to California in 2001 for my grandfather's funeral. It's not a big discount, but it's better than nothing, I guess.

I wish your layover was in St. Louis! Ah well, we'll be abusing each other soon enough. If you've got to be laid over (snerk), there's worse places than O'Hare. I hear they have a Borders. See if I'm there! :)

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

I'll make it to St. Louis one day. :-)

As for Borders in O'hare, if they have one, they are hush-hush about it on their website, as well as O'hare's website.

I haven't seen one so far, and I'm not about to go outside of the security checkpoint. I've already been through the Sacramento one twice. :-)

[ariedana.livejournal.com]

O'Hare is such a lovely place for layovers. :P Lemme know if you have any delays.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Will do. So far, it's on time...then I have 2 more hours for something to go wrong. :)

[big-ragu.livejournal.com]

um, I hate to rub this in...

but Delta is the "official airline of Dragon*Con" and they had ridiculously cheap flights for this weekend to Atlanta.

I booked through Expedia (which I've been VERY happy with for the past 4 or 5 flights) and I got a flight for only 230 bucks.

keep an eye out for me, I'll be that really drunk guy that still manages to sorta keep it together ;) I imagine we'll be hanging around the Hyatt lobby most evenings and wandering about during the daytime.

if I don't run into you, hope you have fun! :)

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I compared with Delta. For some reason, they don't offer really cheap fares from where I am flying. This is my third year going. Perhaps the demographics are such that not many west-coasters fly out to Atlanta.

I'll keep a look out for ya. Are you going to Javioke on Saturday night? I might turn out there just to see silliness. :-)

[brittadotcom.livejournal.com]

The only time I've ever flown first class was on a bereavement fare! We had to go last-minute for my great-aunt's funeral & the way up I flew regular, but the way back the last seat on that plane that was the only flight that day was in first class, so I got the coach price bereavement fare anyway...of course first class on a SeaTac to San Jose 1.5 hr flight isn't that special...I did have to show the funeral program when I checked in for the return flight...

Have a blast this weekend & get home safely!

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Well, there clearly must have been too many Priceliners on that flight, clogging the back row. ;-)

I'll do my best to have fun. :)

[pacalissanctum.livejournal.com]

I got an upgrdaded seat on my bereavement fare. It's a total PITA to book bereavement, though. I definitely felt like they were a little too intrusive with the details.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Well yeah. I can't quite imagine bereavement and anything involved therein being a treat. :)

[pacalissanctum.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah, but to get the bereavement flight, you almost have to bring the deceased WITH you. :)