ARIZONA TO ALASKA

Last Updated: 4:57 AM GMT on May 23, 2013 — Last Comment: 2:14 AM GMT on May 25, 2013

	OH LORD, STUCK IN OLD DUTCH HARBOR AGAIN

Posted by: joealaska, 6:21 AM GMT on April 28, 2012

Just because I have confirmed tickets, and just because the weather seems fine, it means NOTHING.

I went to the airport Thursday around 2:15 PM to check in for my 4:15 flight. They were closing down the place. My flight was cancelled due to “weather”. Must have been weather elsewhere, as DUTCH was pretty nice. Some wind, but nothing unusual. Later I found out the wind WAS unusual in that it was coming across the runway, versus the typical direction of down or up it.

Early flights had been delayed and eventually cancelled. By the end of the day there were a LOT of people on standby.

Last night was a BEAUTIFUL evening. Warm, calm, sunny. It was ironic I was enjoying it while it was the reason I was still in town. Kids were out running around the Haystack hillside playing with their dogs. I opened up the windows.

I was told to be back at the airport at 7:30 AM.

Wednesday I had scrambled to get an earlier flight out of Dutch. I was unable to get to Albuquerque with the change, but I was able to get to Phoenix. It cost an additional $228. Then I still had to get to Albuquerque. $200 more for a Southwest flight. Finally I had to change the rental car deal to coordinate with the change.

Now it was all screwed up

I was there at the airport first thing. Me and a hundred other people. I had to wait around until 11AM when they told me to come back at 2:30. Meanwhile it had turned into a working vacation, as I was on the phone a lot. Hard to turn it off as I was still in town.

The airport was packed with pissed off folk, and we were all put on the back burner while the regularly scheduled flights went out. I had heard there would be a couple of extra flights added to handle all us standbys, but no sir.

I went back at 2:30 and waited until 5. I was led to believe I would get out, but it did not happen. So I remain here, having thrown out a decent amount of perishable food that now would be of use.

Will go back tomorrow at 8 AM, hoping to catch the 9AM departure. That will give Casa and myself most of one day to golf. Not as much time as I was hoping, but still should be able to make some money. Monday AM I pick up the rental and hit the road.

Hopefully.

Meanwhile today was just a perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky, which is RARE. The best day of the year. It was 48 degrees at one point.

The newspaper came out today. Many people are upset at the vandalism on the Russian Church. It is a National Monument, so there are federal charges that could be involved.

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1. Bogon 7:42 AM GMT on April 28, 2012
Well, if your luck holds, maybe you'll be a couple of days late getting back. Member Since: June 26, 2008 Posts: 72 Comments: 2765

2. DHaupt 7:45 AM GMT on April 28, 2012
Wouldn't you just know it! It's a good thing you got those three extra days off. Thank God for the nice weather. I'd better knock my estimate down to 6580 miles. Is Gnuguy tending your menagerie? Member Since: March 28, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 903

3. insideuk 11:22 AM GMT on April 28, 2012
The total mileage figure is to include all that which has been driven since the vacation was DECLARED I take it? All those runs back and forth to the airport count in my book – the boss said you were OFF, so you were OFF. Official VACATION MILEAGE. Maybe you could drive the long way round to the airport in the morning…..take the scenic route…..avoid the rush…..play some tunes….check out the wind direction…. What they need in Dutch Harbor is not a longer runway as planned, but one built on a turntable. A lazy susan type arrangement but with bigger balls (and ideally fewer condiments) – one they can turn into the wind. They can afford it – since they charge $20 for a cheeseburger and are currently attracting large crowds. Maybe they could build it on a hydraulic platform too, one that can rise above the layers of fog? One that tips up to let the snow drop off into the sea? Maybe it could rise to the level of the top of Ballyhoo and twist 90 degrees, adjoining a new 2nd floor section of runway for bigger planes to come in? It’s all do-able I’m sure. It could turn out to be cheaper than all those 386 flights/ 827 car rental agreements that Joe has signed up for this week. Every check-in desk for thousands of miles up and down the western half of the US is being held open, every tannoy is calling his name, every rental car awaiting his arse… He’ll make it out eventually. I’m putting money on the golf clubs taking an extra 72 hours to make the trip though. Member Since: February 28, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 1196

4. dotmom 12:35 PM GMT on April 28, 2012
Bummer! UK, I know for sure the clubs are already at Casa's. I made sure of that! My job is done. Hope the weather cooperates and they can get enough planes in there to accommodate the throng. I like your idea of a runway on a turntable. That might be a first - but it might also be the best! Member Since: April 3, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 979

5. Arbie 4:20 PM GMT on April 28, 2012
I am hoping Joe does not spend another frustrating day waiting around at the airport. We had accumulated snow on a business trip to W PA earlier this week--I thought the lingering winter was only in AK. Meanwhile here in SE TX we are having highs in the mid 80sF. Some rain, some clear--very pleasant weather. I am horrible at these guessing games, but I will guess 5000 miles. Member Since: December 3, 2009 Posts: 5 Comments: 1033

6. OGal 4:56 PM GMT on April 28, 2012
So sorry about your flight plans Joe. Just hope you get out in time to play your money making game with Casa. I am so sad about the church. If I lived on Dutch I would go to church there. It is such a beautiful, serene place. I sure hope they get the folks involved in the tagging. Safe trip. Sending lots of positive energy your way. Member Since: August 28, 2005 Posts: 72 Comments: 19171

7. cybersuze 6:37 PM GMT on April 28, 2012
I'm with Bogon -- hope you get delayed somewhere nice on the way home! What a bummer but enjoy that nice wweather in Dutch! Member Since: April 2, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 221

8. cholla 8:57 PM GMT on April 28, 2012
Just checking the weather and flights at Dutch. Looks like they have been socked in most of the morning. Here's a link: Link IFR = instrument flight rules, a no-go for PenAir MVFR = marginal visual flight rules, possible PenAir flights Best would be VFR = visual flight rules Another link to flights inbound and outbound for Dutch: Link PADU is Dutch Harbor. PANC is Anchorage. You can see the airborne flights. Not many so far today! Member Since: July 16, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 169

9. dotmom 12:01 PM GMT on April 29, 2012
Where oh where is JoeAlaska??? Member Since: April 3, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 979

10. MissNadia 12:09 PM GMT on April 29, 2012
Quoting dotmom: Where oh where is JoeAlaska??? My Guess is The Grand Aleutian for brunch ! Member Since: July 27, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2674

11. OGal 1:49 PM GMT on April 29, 2012
I agree with Miss Nadia. Dotmom I know how hard it is being the mom in Joe's situation. I am sure he will surface at some point. Member Since: August 28, 2005 Posts: 72 Comments: 19171

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