A little Friday amusement

So yesterday morning started off ok. I'd gotten up early. I made coffee and toast for breakfast. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. There were no indications that I am a complete moron.

After an hour at work, the "The International Traveling Debacle" or "pay attention to the time change before ordering plane tickets" commenced.

As I prepared my visa documents yesterday, and more closely examined my itineraries, I discovered that I will be returning to Chicago from Kenya precisely one day LATER than my final flight from Chicago to KC will be LEAVING.

Da.Da.Da.

You see, all the travelers had to get to Chicago to catch our international flights. When I purchased my separate roundtrip ticket, I'd miscalculated the time change. (Imagine me banging my head against my desk HERE.)

No problem. Surely Orbitz would understand that I had simply misread THEIR itinerary that didn't make it clear that I was arriving on Sunday, not Saturday.

Tom tried to help me, bless his heart, but he wasn't capable of correcting an international reservation. I explained that I was trying to change a domestic flight. He didn't have access...or something.

After 2 more tries, I got Alex (with a delightful French accent). The conversation went like this:

Me: "So, I'm hoping that you can help me waive a portion of the fee since your itinerary was unclear."
Alex: "If you would have called within 24 hours, I could have waived the fee."
Me: "Well, I didn't realize it until now, but seeing that I'm spending a load of money on an international flight with you, and I've been a longtime customer, I figured you could help me out."
Alex: "If you would have called within 24 hours, I could have waived the fee."
Me: "Well, it's June, and I can't timetravel."
Alex: "If you would have called within 24 hours, I could have waived the fee."
Me: "Is this a recording?"

So, basically, she didn't help me at all, but instead told me it would only be $160 to change and put me on hold to buy the tickets. I'm thinking, "that sucks, but it's my fault, right?" So when she returns, I've got my credit card ready...

Alex: "Um, Ma'am?" (By the way, I'm no Ma'am. Miss Moore will do.)
Me: "Yes?"
Alex: I had the wrong screen up. It's not $160 to change your flight, it's $810.

After wishing I could reach through the phone to strangle her, I realized it'd be easier not to cancel the ticket, and hop into a taxi to Midway to catch a cheap Southwest flight home.

Le sigh.

I believe Alexander coined it best - "I think I'll move to Australia."
















...or stay in Kenya.

All traveling nastiness aside, the cosmic balance of my world will be rectified when I get to witness his greatness, The Reverend Al Green, at Rhythm and Ribs this evening.

Tonight's forecast: 92 with a chance of funkiness.