It was a nail biter.

 Fully checked in for our flight to South Korea at the airport yesterday, we still planned to arrive 2 hours early to ensure our bags were checked correctly.  Our diligent Uber driver (THANKS Pop!) arrived a bit early, and we were all set to load up by 4:45. (special thanks to Pop for being the most reliable Uber driver in the city!). I did a last minute phone check on our flight status to discover that our San Antonio flight was very delayed, too delayed, and we wouldn’t make our connection at DFW.  There were no other flight options offered. A quick call to AA confirmed we must leave for Seoul tomorrow and that no other flight option existed today. 

Undeterred, we made the instant decision to make a break for DFW by car and try to get on that flight.  Leaving by 5 AM, the best we could strive for was to arrive an hour before our flight departed and hope for the best at the airport.  As Joel put it, our drive had happy times and sad times, as we dodged 3 cities of varying rush hour issues.  The three map apps that Joel was consulting argued on our arrival time and best routes. Joel plotted the path and I worked on not speeding, given our Grand Canyon issue with that. 


We reserved valet parking at DFW, and our valet was waiting for us. After ditching our car curbside with the valet, we entered DFW at 9:15 for a 9:40 boarding. Although AA told us on the phone that the flight was all set up from DFW, they were completely wrong. The plane was already boarding, the bags were late, and checking us in required 1,000 keystrokes and a gate phone call from the agent at the “Special Services” desk.  By 9:45, she had our bags on the way, had rebooked our tickets, and handed us warm printed boarding passes to rush through security.  Our Griffith luck held, and the 2 minute TSA precheck line got us to the gate as they were finishing up boarding. I even found a moment to dash and get us water and snacks at a shop while Joel and Jane finished up security.


Everything is coming up Griffith.  To be honest, we already had a fabulous plan for the day in Dallas if we missed that flight, a plan that included Dealy Plaza, the Texas Schoolbook Depository, and a night at the Gaylord.  We are committed to a fun vacation, which means turning any circumstance into a party.  


A nail biter driving adventure!


Plenty of Legroom


Still had time for airport snacks


Finished this book by the time we made it over the Bearing Sea… Great recommendation Abby and Mom!  The octopus was a great character, not at all wacky.


Joel liked his first offering of Gochujang sauce (Korean version of ketchup, but spicy and less sweet) in a tiny squeeze tube. The plane food has been surprisingly edible.




Comments

  1. MikeMay 23, 2024 at 4:27 PM

    Y'all are amazing troopers. You managed to keep your wits--and sense of humor--despite the AA disaster. Most folks would have given up at 0500, but you made the critical decision, recovered quickly, and beat the clock to DFW. Bravo. Well done.

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