March 22, 2020- 191 - “Okay, Uncle! I Just Want To Go Home Now”

 

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Disclaimer:  Information changed quickly in the early days of Covid-19 (then known as Corona virus).  

Please forgive comments that now seem lacking in, uh, judgement and/or empathy.

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It All Started Out Fine

      Our flights from DFW to San Antonio and back canceled this morning.  We just had one flight to Newark and one back tomorrow (Monday) morning.  

Things Got Less and Less Certain

     About halfway to Newark our flight back was canceled.  Crew Tracking didn’t have information to give us about when we might work or ride back to DFW.  

     We heard about the Air Traffic Controller in Newark that contracted Covid-19.  We heard that more cancellations might be coming.  All but one flight very late on Monday back from Newark was cancelled.

     We also heard that hotels were shutting down.  Based on the occupancy of the last hotel where I stayed in Seattle, the idea of them shutting down completely didn’t sound too far fetched. 

No Good News In Sight

     Then there were the genuinely disturbing local news reports playing in the terminal in Newark.  

    For me it seemed the writing was on the wall:  It’s either get home now or risk being stuck for who-knows-how-long.  I hopped on the 6 pm flight home and am writing my post from that flight.

What's That About Discretion and Valor?

    I don’t scare easy.  I’m not afraid of getting sick.  But I am afraid of being trapped in a city that’s on its knees, because of the virus, with no way to get out.

Ran Home to Michael and Ella

    “There’s NO PLACE like home!” I thought,... and immediately rushed to get there.  

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Note:  I did make it home. Yaaaay!  

It was a very weird thing yesterday.  Now it's true that I always want to come home, but rarely have I ever felt such a strong impulse to high-tail it home...and I have rarely followed that impulse as completely.  

Even after we landed in Dallas I couldn't shake the feeling that I might not get home.  I couldn't wait to get off the plane, I practically ran to my car, kept trying to stop myself from speeding all the way home...and practically jumped on Michael when he came out to meet me, and carried Ella around for a long while when I came in.  I wanted to hug every stick of furniture and kiss the floor.

In uncertain times...there really is no place like home.  
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    Take care everyone!

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