A few weeks ago, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I ended my Tampa trip. I was returning to Philadelphia on a flight, but got stuck on the tarmac for an extended period. After a 4-hour wait, the flight attendant announced the cancellation of our flight due to bad weather.
Although I was feeling
annoyed, I was relieved that I had only brought my carry-on bag and personal item.
“Team Carry-on for life!”
Disembarking the plane, an announcement echoed through the speakers. Every Frontier flight for the night had been canceled, leaving the passengers stranded until Wednesday or Thursday. The woman next to me broke down in tears. Her mother had just been admitted to the hospital and she was desperate
to be by her side. That must have been a terrible situation to face.
Determined to find a way home, I began evaluating my options, but I was pissed. Why couldn't they have canceled the flight earlier rather than having us endure this excruciating wait? Searching for alternatives, I discovered that the only available flight back to Philadelphia was in Orlando.. A one-hour Uber ride away. Desperate to
get back home (another long story), I bit the bullet and hailed an Uber for an eye-watering $156. The journey felt like an eternity, but I remained focused on my goal - to get home.
Upon arriving in Orlando, I was informed about worsening weather conditions in Philadelphia. The only available option was a flight to Newark, New Jersey. I began to panic, realizing the challenge of traveling from
Newark to Philadelphia.
However, this wasn't the first time I found myself in a difficult situation.
"I'll make it work."
As I prepared to board the next flight to Newark, I was frustrated by the steep
price increase. My original $168 roundtrip ticket had now soared to an astounding $780. The significant price difference was shocking, and I was bewildered by how my expenses for the Tampa trip had escalated to over $1000. This was twice what I typically paid for an overseas trip to Europe.
Upon arrival in Newark, I coaxed Uber drivers into braving the inclement weather to drive me all the way home
to Philadelphia, using a fierce determination bordering on unhealthy stubbornness, many refused, but I found one who agreed to do the drive.
Adding insult to injury, another $160 drained from my pocket..
I managed to get home safely two hours later. Reflecting on this chaotic journey, I found myself contemplating the deeper lesson behind it all.
Yes, discount airlines like Frontier and Spirit may
offer tempting prices, but in the unfortunate event of a flight cancellation, the lack of interline agreements can leave you stranded and scrambling for expensive alternatives.
Major airlines have safety nets in place that allow them to pick up each other's passengers when cancellations occur, but the budget airlines do not. This realization hit me hard, urging me to think twice before rushing into
a seemingly great deal without considering the potential consequences.
So, Busy Travelers, remember to weigh your options and consider the risks before entrusting your journey to a discount airline
Because, when things go wrong, the cost and frustration may well outweigh the initial
savings.
P.S. Don't worry, I'll get my money back. I'll explain how in the future.
What is your opinion on budget airlines?
Cocktail of the Week
The cocktail from Greece is called Ouzo. Ouzo is a traditional Greek aperitif, which is believed to have originated in the 14th century on the Greek island of Lesbos. It is often referred to as the national drink of Greece.
Recipe:
Pour 50ml of Ouzo into a
tall glass filled with ice cubes.
Slowly add cold water until the drink turns opaque and cloudy.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an extra zing.
Stir gently.
Garnish with a slice of lemon or a green olive, if desired.
Enjoy!
Random Travel Thought
Gotta love that Florida Weather.
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The Plug
Cheap flights:
Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need.It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!!
Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.
Insurance:
Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.
Travel Gear
Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep
yourself healthy enough to go on more trips.Link
Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it.Link
Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at
once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling,
it's time to live it up! Link
*Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
