I wasn't aware that SW had gone full meltdown, but I was affected yesterday and after you hear my story you will know why I wasn't aware.
I finally got to CT Fri afternoon. I went to the hotel and relaxed and finally was able to fall asleep around 8:00 after being up 38 hrs at that point. Woke up Sat, Christmas Eve and picked up my rental car. Made a quick visit with family as planned, and returned the rental car around 7:00 p.m. Went back to the hotel and packed up and got ready for bed since I had a 6:00 am flight yesterday morning to return home. Woke up at 4:00 am yesterday to head to airport. Literally 2 minutes later I got a text telling me my flight had cancelled and they rebooked me... for Wednesday Dec. 28. Even if I didn't mind missing Christmas with my family, I had to be back to work on Tuesday so that was not an option.
Being a former flight attendant who commuted to her base city, I know lots of ways to get from A to B that most travelers would not think of. I searched any and every possible way of getting home via air yesterday to arrive early enough to spend even just a couple of hours in the evening with family as planned. Even tried other airlines since I knew my CSP would help me cover the expense. Nothing would get me home in time to participate in family Christmas plans. So, after about 15 mins of searching for air options, I resorted to the nuclear option: renting a car and driving the 14 hrs home. I was not about to miss Christmas completely and then miss a day of work too.
Luckily, I booked on Alamo right away and headed for the airport (other people were coming in asking for cars when I got to the airport and I have no doubt they ran out fast). I got the last SUV (wasn't sure what road conditions I would encounter on the way home). It should have been a 13 hr drive, but I had to take a more southern route to avoid weather related issues, so it took almost 14. I stopped only for gas/restroom twice and pulled into my sister's driveway at 7:45. I got a reheated Christmas dinner and was able to enjoy a brief visit before returning the car to airport and Lyfting home to CRASH.
Fun fact: I had basically zero food options on my way home on Christmas Day since I didn't want to eat in. There were a couple of Dunkin and Starbucks open along the way so I just ate the hotel's bagged breakfast and some snacks all day.
Considering the historic bad weather, I consider myself lucky. Now to start the process of complaint to SW (already sent one for my outbound hassle) and filing my claim with CSP. And to file a claim for the baggage they damaged on the way up (both suitcases).
ETA 1: although I technically had to be back at work tomorrow. I planned to get some work done today. That work ended up taking ALL day. So I am just now seeing the SW stories! wow
ETA 2: I have never seen as many unclaimed bags awaiting pick up at baggage claim as I did on this trip. All I could think of was all those poor people stranded somewhere else without their bags. And one of the piles wasn't even SW! What a mess!
