Work travel gripe thread

[CuseFaninVT]

Let's have it. The worst of the worst.

Currently sitting in O'Hare right next to the f4f-3. Been here since 11:30 this morning. I hate this airport, especially in the summer. Line of thunderstorms that didn't actually hit us threw the entire day into a tailspin. I may...make it to Knoxville tonight, but it won't be until 1:30 AM.

 

[Pearl309]

Back when I was working for other people, I got a project in San Jose state university. My company at the time decided it would be smart to just put me up in an extended stay hotel. Was supposed to be a 6 week project. Ok I’ll take one for the team.
Turned into a 6 month cluster. The hotel they put me up at was near the airport in San Fran, a solid hour from San Jose.
Got so bad that by the end I was driving back to LA after work on Friday and leaving LA to get to work at 1 am Monday morning.
Thank god those days are over

 

[MSOrange]

Last year, flying back to Kansas City from LAX. Myself and two of my teammates had meetings a half day Thursday morning in LA. When we were making reservations, the older totally inflexible teammate insisted we needed to try to get back to KC Thursday afternoon and have a full day of work Friday instead of working that afternoon in the LA office and flying back Friday morning. We wanted to stick together and I need help with my wheelchair, so we agreed even though myself and my other teammate would have preferred travelling Friday. Then this other lady gets sick and doesn't even end up going on the trip!

So the two of us that wanted to travel Friday to begin with get delayed 2 hours taking off in LA, have to unexpectedly switch planes in Denver and lose another hour. I ended up back to my apt at 2 a.m. in a definitely less than amused mood. Glad I had a full work day on Friday - it was real productive....

 

[CarolinaCuse]

I was invited by a Middle East country's government to present at a workshop which brought me to that country for about 24 hours (total). After completing my invited duties, upon departure from the country's capital airport, I was detained by government authorities at the airport for three additional hours because I was on a "list" that required multiple further security screenings. I said, "But, y'all invited me here..."

 

[CarolinaCuse]

Not my story (or work travel) but a good one. A British friend of mine was traveling through Asia and the Pacific in his gap year. He contracted bad food poisoning upon leaving for Thailand and had a HORRIBLE two days before and during his travel to Australia. He goes through customs upon arrival in Sydney where he is selected for a secondary customs inspection. The customs officer asks him some basic questions including, "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Not feeling well, his curt response was, "I didn't know it was still a requirement to get in." Needless to say, he had a series of additional screenings before they would let him enter the country.

 

[CuseTroop]

I’m trying to think of my worst flights, and they all have something to do with hangovers or alcohol poisoning.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I’m trying to think of my worst flights, and they all have something to do with hangovers or alcohol poisoning.

I had one like that leaving Alaska a different time. Bad...

 

[DMDMD]

Let's have it. The worst of the worst.

Currently sitting in O'Hare right next to the f4f-3. Been here since 11:30 this morning. I hate this airport, especially in the summer. Line of thunderstorms that didn't actually hit us threw the entire day into a tailspin. I may...make it to Knoxville tonight, but it won't be until 1:30 AM.

My wife's flight to Ohare yesterday was canceled about 15 hours ahead of time for "weather." She couldn't get another flight to Ohare out of Rochester yesterday, so she had to drive to Buffalo. Her flight was promptly delayed 2.5 hours. She was supposed to have 2 days in Chicago, 1 to travel/see the city, 1 to have meetings, now she is down to about 16 hours in chicago and WAY to much time sitting in airports.

 

[Eric15]

I can't stand those automatic plastic wrap covers on the O'Hare toilet seats. They creep me out.

 

[OttoMets]

I can't stand those automatic plastic wrap covers on the O'Hare toilet seats. They creep me out.

It's the same one spinning around for weeks at a time. Try convincing yourself otherwise next time you settle in.

They do have excellent door/wall coverage in the stalls, though.

 

[CuseTroop]

It's the same one spinning around for weeks at a time. Try convincing yourself otherwise next time you settle in.

They do have excellent door/wall coverage in the stalls, though.

Ughh come onnnn.

Do love the floor to ceiling doors tho. Back when I used to vape (I know I know, but it got me to quit smoking) those stalls were the greatest for sneaking a little nicotine.

 

[CuseTroop]

I've talked to so many people who absolutely hate O'Hare, refuse to fly there. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them. Land at 5am, there's always a bar open. My only beef is trying to find solid food options. I always just end up eating/drinking at that cubs bar. I've wasted a lot of solid drinking time, walking around trying to find a decent meal.

 

[OttoMets]

I've talked to so many people who absolutely hate O'Hare, refuse to fly there. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them. Land at 5am, there's always a bar open. My only beef is trying to find solid food options. I always just end up eating/drinking at that cubs bar. I've wasted a lot of solid drinking time, walking around trying to find a decent meal.

Frontera Grill, you'll thank me later.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Let's have it. The worst of the worst.

Currently sitting in O'Hare right next to the f4f-3. Been here since 11:30 this morning. I hate this airport, especially in the summer. Line of thunderstorms that didn't actually hit us threw the entire day into a tailspin. I may...make it to Knoxville tonight, but it won't be until 1:30 AM.

It's amazing almost every time it rains that you know that there will be flight delays to deal with. Airports for the most part are somewhat more user friendly than ever but it should almost be a requirement that every one offers some type of outdoor green space that people can go to get some fresh air. Not for smoking, but for sanity. Plus a requirement that there are more electrical outlets available for phones and laptops.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

It's the same one spinning around for weeks at a time. Try convincing yourself otherwise next time you settle in.

They do have excellent door/wall coverage in the stalls, though.

Minneapolis-St. Paul airport Voted best bathrooms in the country. Trust me. I've been looking for a reason to go back. Also has a PGA restaurant/bar with golf simulators. Not a bad way to kill a few hours in an airport.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2016/11/22/minneapolis-st-paul-airport-cintas-best-restroom-contest/94266170/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pga-msp-airport-simulator-and-lounge-saint-paul-2

 

[OttoMets]

Minneapolis-St. Paul airport Voted best bathrooms in the country. Trust me. I've been looking for a reason to go back. Also has a PGA restaurant/bar with golf simulators. Not a bad way to kill a few hours in an airport.

This airport has America’s best bathroom

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pga-msp-airport-simulator-and-lounge-saint-paul-2

My experience with MSP is kind of limited (only a couple trips), but it's low on my list: surly TSA people, long waits, crappy food. The bathrooms I don't recall, but maybe it's worth another visit.

That'd be a fun thread, best and worst airports. My bottom three: Terminal 3 at LAX, that crappy regional terminal at PHI (which to be fair was a lot nicer when I was there a few weeks ago), and Kennedy. Or maybe LaGuardia. Both are rough.

 

[CuseTroop]

Also, if you haven't gotten that TSA pre-check, get on it. Best $85 I've ever spent.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Also, if you haven't gotten that TSA pre-check, get on it. Best $85 I've ever spent.

I agree 100% but have you noticed that the pre-check lines are getting as long as the regular lines. At least you don't have to remove your belt and shoes at most airports.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Minneapolis-St. Paul airport Voted best bathrooms in the country. Trust me. I've been looking for a reason to go back. Also has a PGA restaurant/bar with golf simulators. Not a bad way to kill a few hours in an airport.

This airport has America’s best bathroom

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pga-msp-airport-simulator-and-lounge-saint-paul-2

Wait, was this a legit discussion and no one jumped on the MSP bathrooms?

GOP Senator Larry Craig and the Men's Restroom at MSP

You've been looking for a reason to go back? Oh man. That's a Phil Dunphee comment if I ever heard one.

All kidding aside, I've done a ton of work in Minnesota, and really like that airport. I'm a big fan of Caribou Coffee, so that helps.

I remember eating at Rockbottom a few times back when the brew pub craze first started. They weren't bad. I just remember MSP was about the only airport in the country where you could get a walleye sandwich worth a darn.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Chicago Midway, never have problems, food is good, pretty easy to get around.

My home airport is Salt Lake. No idea how layovers there are, but getting in and out is usually pretty painless.

I like the Denver airport.

All time best airport though is Long Beach.

 

[Bayside44]

Long Beach is awesome, Salt Lake sucks with food.

Detroit is solid, easy to get around (one long hallway) and they have good sushi (as does Charlotte) and a Chik-Fil-A. Flew through Atlanta this week, looks like it got a needed scrubdown.

The whole loading by zone thing, seriously people - you're zone 24, stop blocking the entry ways.

Also, the less attractive the person, you can guarantee the worse they dress.

Also, Minny is nice, but fellas, hold it for the plane.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Let's see. Greenville -Spartanburg yesterday at 3 to fly Syracuse via DC. Fly into DC Dulles. Whoops, shifted to Reagan. On tarmac for an hour. Disembark. Re-load. Off to Dulles. Wait in Dulles to leave by 2:00 AM.
Flight finally cancelled at 1:00 AM
New tickets issued.
Woken up @ 3:30 to leave secure area to re-enter secure area at 4:00 AM
Off to O'Hare at 6:00, but missed out connection to Syracuse.
Ticket Agent at Dulles gave us 11 minutes to make connection, had we landed on time.
When we land in Syracuse, will have 24 straight hours in Airport or plane.
Also, the broke the handle of my large roller briefcase.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Let's see. Greenville -Spartanburg yesterday at 3 to fly Syracuse via DC. Fly into DC Dulles. Whoops, shifted to Reagan. On tarmac for an hour. Disembark. Re-load. Off to Dulles. Wait in Dulles to leave by 2:00 AM.
Flight finally cancelled at 1:00 AM
New tickets issued.
Woken up @ 3:30 to leave secure area to re-enter secure area at 4:00 AM
Off to O'Hare at 6:00, but missed out connection to Syracuse.
Ticket Agent at Dulles gave us 11 minutes to make connection, had we landed on time.
When we land in Syracuse, will have 24 straight hours in Airport or plane.
Also, the broke the handle of my large roller briefcase.

It seems to be worse traveling in the summer these days, especially on the east coast. Miserable trip for you...

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Long Beach is awesome, Salt Lake sucks with food.

Detroit is solid, easy to get around (one long hallway) and they have good sushi (as does Charlotte) and a Chik-Fil-A. Flew through Atlanta this week, looks like it got a needed scrubdown.

The whole loading by zone thing, seriously people - you're zone 24, stop blocking the entry ways.

Also, the less attractive the person, you can guarantee the worse they dress.

Also, Minny is nice, but fellas, hold it for the plane.

I'd imagine Salt Lake's food options really hinge on where in the airport you are, and it isn't the easiest to head to a different terminal for other options.

 

[Orangezoo]

Just enjoying reading this for not having to suffer anymore lol. Between the 2.5 hour commute ( 1 way 5 hrs two ways on a good day) for 10 years to missing nearly every connection through Atlanta I sure don't miss it.

I will say I had the luck of having on vendor based in San Francisco I traveled too every year. Easy to find direct flights from Dulles and just one of the best cities to visit during the warmer months. Also lots of free food and drinks and the occasional excursion to Napa when we had a light meeting day or I extended my stay. I feel for all of you. Airport to airport life is tough sometimes.