Aye! Alitalia!

 Time for another travel adventure!

And, Oh Yes, I do have more travel stories to share. Just in case you have not surmised this for yourself as of yet, if you have been following this Blog on a regular basis, I have had my share of travel adventures and anyone who has dared to travel with me could plan on an adventure or two in the process. I guess you cn just be grateful that I have now reached the age where travel is rather limited and restricted. The "risk" is likely gone now but once it was a reality and here comes still another example.

This one was a group tour beginning in Rome and venturing off into Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. I believe this also included a full hour's tour of Luxembourg, just about long enough a stay to enjoy the whole country.

Our trip began with a late morning flight from Detroit to New York. In New York we would catch our Alitalia flight direct to Rome, leaving early evening and arriving very early (Rome time) the next morning.

The timing between our Detroit/New York and the New York/Rome flights was fantastic. We would have time in the airport to relax, catch a decent lunch and be off across the Pond.

And so it began!

Flight to New York - on time; smooth and easy. Next step was to check in with Alitalia and then relax, enjoy, catch a decent late lunch and get ready to board that flight to Rome. There would be dinner onboard but that might not be until around 9:00 PM and so that late but substantial lunch was rather important.

We were off to a great start that is until we got into the Alitalia terminal.

Then it surrounded us.

Pure pandimonium!

People everywhere! Voices raised! Arms and tickets waving in the air! And it seemed like no-one tending the service counters, no-one in an airline uniform, no-one looking like they were in charge or even available to answer questions or provide any assistance.

And clearly from the scene all around some sort of assistance was needed.

Especially when we noticed the Arrival and Departure boards.

All flights cancelled!

Of course, since our trip was arranged by a group travel agency, there would certainly be someone available to assist us in this situation - of course - NOT!

An agent was at the airport in Detroit to assist us, making certain that we had proper tickets, identification, documentation and such. All of our luggage was properly checked through directly to Rome. We would not have to deal with anything while awaiting our Alitalia flight in New York. Smooth sailing and so there was no foreseen need for an agent to meet us in the Big Apple.

We were totally on our own.

And the flights were cancelled as the Big Board informed us.

And finally, finally some agents arrived to staff the service desks in the terminal and as one might imagine, they were immediately swamped by dozens of concerned and even irrate would-be travelers. We were finally able to get to one and to get some actual attention.

Our plight was explained and the agent seemed truly concerned. Could he help our group? He would try? Would we ming being booked on a different airline? Of course not! Not as long as we could get to Rome.

Phone calling began. (This was a while back, remember, and computer usage was still in its infancy. 

Then! Bingo!

The agent was able to find sufficient seats on another airline headed that very evening for Rome. The flight was with PanAm. (Told you that this was a while ago.) However, sad to say, the only seats they could get us were all in first class. Would we mind? Seriously? Would we mind?

First class across the ocean to Rome - such a sacrifice!

By now half of that once free afternoon had been taken from us and we still had to get to the PanAm terminal and get properly checked in but there was still time for that late (very late) lunch before boarding. The PanAm terminal was in a different building and so we had to get transportation and get ourselves into the proper building.

And off we went to PanAm where, upon arrival at that terminal we discovered lines, long lines waiting for ticketing. I think it was also at this time that someone asked about our luggage - like where will that being headed since it was checked through from Detroit. Least of our concerns at this time was the reply. We just needed to get those new tickets into our hands.

The line, long as it was, ate up nearly another hour of our once free afternoon but we finally arrived at the ticket counter. Our situation was explained and we were politely informed that we really did not even have to be in that line. All we needed to do was go directly to the boarding gate. We would be ticketed there.

And so we headed to the boarding gate where (of course) there was no one at the counter since it was still very early and departure was still a couple of hours away. Dare we leave to get some eats? Or should we stay put and secure those tickets?

Stay put - the decision was rendered. And gradually those minutes of planned free time disappeared.

And good things we all stayed put because after another hour had gone away, the announcement came over the PA system that the departure gate for the Rome flight had been changed.

And when I say "Changed," I truly mean changed. The PanAm terminal was Y shaped. We were at a gate at one extreme of that Y and the newly announced gate was at the totally other extreme end of the Y.

We had some fast foot traveling to do. Good thing we were not hauling luggage! Winded we arrived at the new departure gate and, behold, there were actually agents already at the counter. Of course, by this time, it was becoming increasingly evident that were would be boarding rather hungry. That once ample time for lunch had almost totally disappeared by now. Just get those tickets or boarding passes or whatever and get onto that plane.

Only when we got to the service desk and explained the situation, the agent informed us that there was no record of any such arrangements!

Would I like to speak with someone higher up?

You bet!

And so I was escorted into this rather impressive office of someone who was clearly "higher up."

Who very politely listened to the entire saga and then equally politely informed me that such an arrangement was clearly impossible since our type economy (tourist) tickets are never exchanged for first class seating. Best he could offer was to place us on standby!

Aye! Alitalia!

And, of course, there is more to this saga so check back soon!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!