When You're Just Not Wanting To Deal With Yet Another Polar Vortex Freezing The Place Up

 

TThere are times when an gate at the airport is Heaven's gate

         Even if it means getting to the airport before 4:00am, if it means a way to warmth, I'm going

           Of course, conditions like this mean the plane has to go through de-icing before takeoff....

                                    So we got off the ground a few minutes later than planned

         What the hey, ice was forming on the DIA power plant, so a little inconvenience was expected

   However...we were in the air for a short while when the Captain made an announcement. Seems he'd been flying in large circles for awhile trying to get engine one to kick on but was having zero luck. Since he can't fly the plane across the country with just one engine, we had to turn back to DIA to get a fully functioning plane.

   I hate it when that happens.

   The flight back to DIA went smoothly and the landing, which can be dodgy when ice and snow is present and there are two functioning engines that can be used for reverse-thrust deceleration after touchdown, was a testament to the skill of those flying the jet - we landed on DIA's longer emergency service runway (replete with a compliment of firetrucks and emergency services vehicles lining the tarmac) and the aircrew was able to pump the brakes for lack of a better explanation, and get us back to the gate without a hitch.

         Back for a new aircraft. I wonder if having to return to DIA benefits my frequent flyer miles?

   All of us on the craft then made our way to the new gate and boarded there...and then waited to go through the de-icing process again

                                         Look - flat, snow-free environs! - must be over Texas

    We were on our way again soon, and despite the delays all systems were still go - didn't have to worry about missing my boat as I was flying in a day early specifically to prevent such a horrid possibility.

                                            Yay! Miami - overcast but still 75 and no snow!

                           

   These ladies were at the airport to welcome a relative to the USA after being granted permission to leave Cuba - they were ecstatic to say the least.