Delays

I hate flying.  It's way more stressful than it needs to be.  Between the checkin' in, the security lines, and then rushing to the gate, there's far too many uncertain factors.  Sometimes you get there hours before you need to, and other times, you're hearing your name over the intercom cause you're late (even though they're the ones that put you on an earlier flight!)

My flight into DFW was two and a half hours late.  First, there was the announcement of a 45-minute "company-controlled" delay for all flights in and out of Dallas with no explanation.  Some passengers were speculating that it might be because there were too many planes on the tarmac, so they needed to slow things down.  Another guy was chattin' on his cell, saying there was probably some security issue.  So we're sittin' in the waiting area, and then finally the pilot comes out and announces that it's because of "high winds"! 

That's right, wind is causing all planes in and out of American's hub to be grounded.  Unbelievable.  I can understand snow and heavy rain, but wind?  It's not like Dallas is getting hit by hurricanes or tornadoes.  Suck it up and fly through it.  Seriously.

So we finally board the plane at like 7 (when we were supposed to leave at 6:08), and then sit on the tarmac until 8, with various updates from the pilot (basically saying that the flight has been further delayed and that we're taking a new route that'll take 4 hours instead of the usual 3.5).

After we're in the air, I'm thinking everything should be fine now.  The "heavy winds" should be calm by now, if some guy at American Airlines decided that planes can come in again.  Oh, but I'd be wrong.  We're like 20 minutes away from DFW, when the pilot announces that we're supposed to "hold" in the air.  Do what?  I thought only helicopters could hover.  But we end up "holding" for like 10 minutes or so. 

And then another announcement -- the worst I've heard from a pilot -- "We'll be going through high winds, but don't worry.  The plane has been stressed for these conditions, and the crew and the plane are prepared for these conditions.  We'll try and get through this as quickly as possible."  Sounds similar to the kind of stuff that the dentist says right before they drill into your teeth!

I hate flying!