07/29/2026
I have decided to post this on my work account too.
29 hours AFTER my international flight from Rome🇮🇹 lands in Washington and I am still HERE. United Airlines, using bogus claims why my connecting flight back to Ithaca originally gets cancelled. I am quite informed and educated in travel (after all you all KNOW MY PROFESSION) so I know and have documented the reality of the situation.
Lies, complete and absolutely NO CUSTOMER service help for anyone stranded other than being thrown (yes, thrown) a "card" to scan to have AI possibly help get you rebooked on a flight that may or may not (in this case NOT), get you to your final destination.
My partner Rob, hearing the utter exhaustion and tears in my voice leaves his I-81 crane job in Syracuse to drive down here in Washington, DC to pick me up (still in his work clothes) and get me home.
Why didn't I just rent a car myself? Well, travel rule #1 is to never bring with you anything you don't need because anything can get lost/stolen so no, I did not have my "license" with me...just my passport. So no one would rent me a car. Of course I had pictures of all my important documents in my travel wallet but that was unacceptable at the car rental counter.
Now, in an emergency I could fly internationally using the picture scan of my passport BUT no, I cannot rent a car!!
He is taking a 12 hour drive after starting work this morning at 6am. He is tired and I am exhausted but we will make it home by 11pm hopefully all because he cared enough AND it's his birthday 🎂 to boot!
