A good friend of mine, Donna, recently flew home from a visit to Michigan, and when I asked her how her flight was, she sent me the following story - SO typical of how bad it is to fly these days that I had to post it here (with her permission of course)…..

“My flight was set to depart Detroit airport at 1015a on Monday, Jan. 14. I was a little apprehensive that morning because it was snowing and the aircraft being used was a smaller jet. Northwest changed their equipment for all flights between Norfolk and Detroit (roundtrip) so I knew it would be full since the larger equipment was always full. I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for my flight, everything was going well and we boarded about 15 minutes later than we should have, however delays are common so I didn’t think much of it.

While on board an announcement was made that we were ‘overweight with fuel’ - glad I wasn’t the cause of the flight being overweight. So they asked for four volunteers, I would have volunteered, however I had checked luggage and had another carry-on to claim upon arrival, so chose to stay put. Four volunteers deplaned and we thought we’d be ready for departure. Nope, didn’t happen.

Next announcement comes on that we’ll be delayed a little longer because ‘a couple of folks have been trying to get back to Norfolk for days’ and I certainly didn’t understand that, what could be the issue - okay, that’s another story. So, next thing we see is the four volunteers coming back on board plus another 3 or so. Big question….if we were overweight before, wouldn’t we be even more overweight now with extra people? I inquired, because inquiring minds wanted to know, and I was told that it was an airport error and that the gauge on the aircraft was correct and that we ‘were not’ overweight. Great, we’re going home. No, not really.

Next announcement comes on that ‘there’s a pin missing and we need it to close the door’ - sure, a pin is all that was holding the door closed. So, we waited a little longer. By now I had finished the first movie in my iPod. The plane was now ready for departure, the flight attendant prepared and we were ready to go. Wait. One more important item that we knew had to be done, we had to go through the de-icing area. Remember, it was snowing, so was below freezing. Now, ready for departure and we’re airborne and on our way home. I have to say the best part was getting above the clouds and actually seeing the sun. Arrived safely in Norfolk and truly, at the end of the day, that’s all I ever wanted. Flight attendant (remember, small plane), prepare for arrival! Thank goodness for my iPod, it kept me entertained.”

Spare Lithium Batteries No Longer Allowed in Checked Baggage

Published on: January 2, 2008

Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning Jan. 1, 2008 once new federal safety rules take effect. The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags. Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage. For more details, visit http://safetravel.dot.gov.