Thursday, November 30, 2006

Close, but no cigar

The ice storm has us stranded for one more day.

Once United Airlines issued a weather waiver yesterday afternoon, we decided to try to leave OKC before our scheduled departure time, ahead of what local weathermen began calling the worst winter storm in several years. We finally got cleared about 7:30 p.m. to leave for Chicago on a 10 p.m. flight (which originally was supposed to leave at 2:30 p.m.). Gayle's parents took us to the airport, and we waited at the gate with our plane in sight the entire time. About 10:15, shortly after ice began falling, the pilot canceled the flight.

We spent the night at Gayle's parents' home and got rebooked for this afternoon. The first leg takes us to L.A. After a seven-hour layover, we leave L.A. at 12:30 a.m. for a direct flight that lands in Beijing at 5:30 a.m. Saturday (about 13 hours after we were scheduled to arrive there).

All of this is rather iffy. We don't know yet whether the flight leaving OKC will be delayed or canceled.

Meanwhile, the flight we originally were to leave on apparently left as scheduled at 7:45 a.m. today. Arrggh.

3 comments:

Howard and Kim said...

Gayle and Tony, we have been praying and continue to pray that those flights will get you from Oklahoma to China in a timely and safe manner! You've been on our hearts all day.
Kim H.

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!!! I was waiting for 4pm to pass yesterday, with no call, then giving your flight a cushion for delay, once 5pm hit, Denise & I celebrated your long, long, very long, awaited departure!!! I am so glad to know that God worked all things together for your good. It is a good thing you have already seen Beijing and now truly nothing will keep you from Alex!

Anonymous said...

Gayle, So sorry for the delays, I wondered about you when the storm hit! We'll be praying for you as you get that sweet boy, Alex! Blessings on your journey! Joy Pierce