JohnnyFairPlay001 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 That was the longest book I have ever read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffalo Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I like stories with happy endings! 421742[/snapback] I like happy endings too! Glad to hear you made it out safe Diane, see ya in a few weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Glad you're home safely, Gidge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gross Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Wow, glad to hear you made it home safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Quite the odyssey ya homer. Glad you got back safe and sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art in PNS Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Glad you made it out Diane, and believe me you were lucky. I have been in contact with many people from Houston to Jacksonville Fl all weekend since our industry has plants , raw material suppliers and customers all thoughout the Gulf Coast. New Orleans will be a mess for some time and by the end of the week we may have reason to feel very lucky that most of us were not there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloDynamite Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 So, yours truly flew down to NO on Sat AM for a last meeting with the hotel for my work conference and the Bills weekend. I even called Jay on Saturday to boast about looking out the window of the 18th floor and seeing the Superdome. I was soooo pumped about our upcoming game. I heard the news about the approaching storm throughout the day, but I knew I had an early flight out at 8:30am so didn't worry (that was 24 hours b4 the storm was due to hit). Evacs were taking place throughout the afternoon from the parishes right on the gulf. But the general feeling in the city was quite calm. Lots of tourists, walking around in the late afternoon sun acting so normal. The casino closed at 11pm on Sat night. That was a warning that I'd better leave early for the airport. Left at 6am by cab - the cab took side streets to the Airport because the driver said the main highways were jammed - he was trying to find an open gas station on the way but they were all closed and boarded up. Not sure how people are supposed to evacuate if they can't buy gasoline. Then I started to realize how serious the situation was. Got to the airport and found thousands of people, all flights quickly cancelling (including mine). Walked around wondering what to do. Starting to feel scared (and kinda' alone) by that time. Long lines everywhere but for the most part people were quite calm. I guess they figured that the storm would turn and they might get out of town Monday night or Tuesday. Not knowing what else to do, I felt that I'd rather ride out the storm in the hotel than the airport - at least I'd have a bed. Called the Holiday Inn to ask if I could come back - they said no because the city had just issued a mandatory evac and under those rules they had to get rid of all non-emergency guests. Called American Airlines on my cell because there were about 300 people in the line (getting "re-accomodated). They said if I could find a way to Baton Rouge they could get me on a flight that evening. Proceeded down to the rental car area and here are about another couple of hundred people in lines. Only 2 companies were giving out cars because even though the others had cars in their lots, their employees had all left. I got in the Avis line and counted about 150 people ahead of me. I called a girlfriend and had her book me a car online, one way, to Baton Rouge. By the time I got to the front of the line, they had two cars left. So, I combined with 6 strangers from all different parts of the country and we took one of the cars (by this time I'm feeling like the start of a Stephen King movie plot) Headed out of the city but couldn't get on 10 West because of Contraflow. Had to go 61 all the way. It was about 70 miles and took us about 7.5 hours. Bumper-to-bumper all the way. Nothing open along the way, no gas stations, no stores, no bathrooms. Made for a tiring and frustrating trip but at least we started out with a full tank of gas and some crackers and water in the car. We saw many people who had run out of gas along the way, car loads of people just standing, waiting for emergency personnel to assist. I felt so bad for those with small children. So we make it finally to Baton Rouge airport at 6:30pm, the group dropped me off. They had to proceed on the Shreveport because their airlines had no more flights out of BR. I go to the counter and had a confirmed seat on the 9pm flight. I figured I'd check in early and go have a comfortable meal and a cold beer. So I see a 6:55pm flight to Dallas on the board and ask to go standby - they had one seat left. I run for the flight (no meal and beer) and just make it on. It's one of the American Eagle 40 seaters and as we're getting on the Captain makes an announcement asking people to get in their seats quickly because we're going to take off a few minutes earlier than scheduled. The one flight attendant was trying to get everyone buckled in FAST. We pulled away and he hauled ass out to the runway and took off. From the East side of the plane I could see all this black cloud SHCITT approaching the airport (more Stephen King stuff!!) The plane took off to the north and he made a sudden bank to the left trying to turn West. Then he came on and apologized for any discomfort So I get to Dallas, and as we're getting off the plane, the Captain tells us that he had 3 minutes to get the plane off or we would have been grounded. They were shutting everthing down. That's why he was rushing - none of the crew wanted to get stuck in BR for an indefinite period. So, someone up there must have been looking out for me. I got in one of the two last rental cars at the airport, and got the last seat on the last AA plane out of BR. Thank you to the wonderful God who watches over me. Having just been there so many times over the past few months, I feel especially sensitive to those still down there. Especially the thousands of tourists and families who couldn't find a way out. Cajun Bills Backer is in Houma which is west of New Orleans, so he may be a little safer than those on the east side of the city. Now we just hope and pray..... 421697[/snapback] WOW, Unbelievable story. Glad u made it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Glad your safe aussiew. Just one question. You said "you called girlfriend and had her book me a car online, one way, to Baton Rouge", right? But then you said "the group dropped me off. They had to proceed on the Shreveport because their airlines had no more flights out of BR." Was the car in your name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiew Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 Was the car in your name? Yes But my company is paying for it. $139 one way and I had to trust it to 6 strangers for their continuation up to Shreveport. We called the Avis 800# and they said since it was an emergency, to do what ever we needed to do and turn in the car in Shreveport. I think I'm OK provided they didn't have a wreck. They were all professionals who were in NO on business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Yes But my company is paying for it. $139 one way and I had to trust it to 6 strangers for their continuation up to Shreveport. We called the Avis 800# and they said since it was an emergency, to do what ever we needed to do and turn in the car in Shreveport. I think I'm OK provided they didn't have a wreck. They were all professionals who were in NO on business. 421880[/snapback] I had to read that a few times before I asked the question, I'm sure you'll be fine. Still though, on top of everything else, that still had to be on your mind. How far is Vegas from Shreveport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 That was the longest book I have ever read 421798[/snapback] Than you must have Fake Fat Sunny or ignore like I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Wonderful news! Now you can relax and focus on the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarthur31 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Glad you're OK. But just wondering, if you thank God for getting you out, then who sent the storm? (just kidding , sort of) *snip* He does provide help when one asks for it. We sent that storm and every other natural disaster after we disobeyed. It's the price for sin. Those who don't believe in God should really read this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Glad you're OK. But just wondering, if you thank God for getting you out, then who sent the storm? 421788[/snapback] Probably her ex-husband Glad you are ok Diane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRH Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Than you must have Fake Fat Sunny or ignore like I do. 421888[/snapback] Glad you're okay, Aussiew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 He does provide help when one asks for it. We sent that storm and every other natural disaster after we disobeyed. It's the price for sin. Those who don't believe in God should really read this! 421901[/snapback] Uh, seriously? God must really hate the tsunami victims (guess their not victims but the "well deserved.") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATBNG Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 That is an incredible story aussie. It's amazing sometimes how we take having lots of transportation options for granted. Glad you got out in time and glad you're OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILLS4LIFE Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 GEEZ! Glad youre ok and see you soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarthur31 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Uh, seriously? God must really hate the tsunami victims (guess their not victims but the "well deserved.") 422082[/snapback] You've never read the Bible? You think we live like this because we chose to? Remember, this world used to be Paradise! LMAO! He doesn't hate them. We hate ourselves. We ate the apple!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartshan-83 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Crazy story! Kinda makes you put things in perspective. Think about how crazy we can get if we find out a flight has been delayed an hour.....then compare that to the amount of effort and frustration you put yourself through just to make it out and you still considered yourself lucky (as you should!) Glad everything worked out in the end....I can't imagine trying to wait that one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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