Stranded in North Carolina

[timeout]

Sure wish I lived in that area, I would give you a ride back home. Actually, perhaps I don't wish that I lived in that area, but if I did, would give you a ride home. I love it where I am. Going away is nice. Going back home is even nicer. Good Luck to you.

 

[MGYSGT]

Rented a budget car a couple of weeks ago. They tried to double the reserved price I was quoted. Heck no! Got it for the agreed price but then two weeks later charged me an extra $200. Their response to my complaint was "prove it". Not to mention they said the price was higher because there was a shortage of cars. B.S. The lot was full. Sioux Falls Budget are scammers.

 

[wbm]

Feel thankful. I got stranded at MCAS Cherry Point, NC for 11 and a half months in 1971. It was not a pleasant stay in the thriving metropolis of Havelock.

KMart

Say it ain't so...you were really a Marine "Airedale"? I was down the road in Jville 65 and again in 68...I'll take Havelock. Semper Fi!

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Ahh, the joys of air travel today.

 

[Park ranger]

Rent a uhaul, they go one way

edit: I see that is your plan

 

[KMart]

KMart

Say it ain't so...you were really a Marine "Airedale"? I was down the road in Jville 65 and again in 68...I'll take Havelock. Semper Fi!

Yes, It is something that I can't deny. Back then here wasn't much there. A lot of 2 lane roads, sandy hills and pine trees. It reminded me of deep East Texas. There were some places that sold beer by the drink. I wouldn't dare call them clubs. They issued guns at the door if you didn't already have one. And banjo pickers.
I pulled into a gas station one night and the guy that came out to pump gas was wearing a six shooter on his belt.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

That one way rental up charge is pure greed. They rent those cars all over the place and eventually they make it back to where they started and the up charge was charged every time.

 

[ShootDots]

AND yet my friends and family still wonder why I won't fly except under an extreme emergency!

 

[hogpatrol]

AND yet my friends and family still wonder why I won't fly except under an extreme emergency!

Old saying "Time to spare, take to the air". Anyone have a ticket on an AA flight this past weekend? They cancelled 190 flights yesterday.

 

[XTR]

As 2 others have noted in here. UHaul (or another of the moving truck companies) is frequently an option when the rental car companies are not.

I've traveled less than a few but far more than most. I've been stranded by just about every airline out there, and I've used all the tricks in the bag to get where I needed to go, the good news personally was always that in then end it was going on an expense report.

I read a story today talking about the number of flights that American has been canceling recently and the number they plan to have to cancel in the immediate future, but it bites hard when you are the one standing on the curb wondering where to go.

 

[joshb]

Sorry to hear about your trouble, Ebb. I’m glad the Airlines turned down our dog. We drive back and forth to Texas and Delaware. It’s a long drive but our fate is in our own hands!

 

[wkdickinson]

I retired at the end of 2018, but for the previous 2 years I flew every other week, from a place close to the end of the world, to St Louis, through Chicago. I could tell lots of horror stories. But if the airline cancels for plane trouble or anything that is their fault, they have to get you to your destination (weather is a different story). Call their rebooking service on the phone, don't waste your time with counter people.

If you ultimately have to rent a car, just do it and drive it home. Then take it to you nearest agency for that company and give it to them. Maybe it will cost you a few bucks, but who cares, at least you are home!

 

[ebb]

Thanks to all for your prayers, well wishes and advise. I am back to my little acre and 1/4 in Loxahatchee Florida, Just walked in the door. You guys are great. There's no place like home!!!!

 

[Brians356]

As I understand it, this fiasco was a domino effect from AA having to furlough pilots and crew, then the rebound in travel demand spiked suddenly beyond anticipation. The pilots cannot simply be rushed back into the cockpits, as they are required by industry rules to complete refresher qualification. A lack of flights and simulator time prevented many of them from staying current on their respective aircraft types. Also a retired pilot told me yesterday the actual flying is the easy part. The intricacies of navigation, airport configurations and procedures, ATC procedures, etc are constantly changing, which is hard enough for active pilots to keep up with on a daily basis. If one has been sidelined for a year it's a scramble. So the airline fleet cannot be fully deployed instantly even if enough pilots are willing and available. There has also been some severe weather lately in many regions. Naturally the first thing that gets overwhelmed when many flights are cancelled is the rental car industry.
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[cwebster]

Feel thankful. I got stranded at MCAS Cherry Point, NC for 11 and a half months in 1971. It was not a pleasant stay in the thriving metropolis of Havelock.

Havelock/Cherry Point is as nice a town there is in NC now. Better than most non military. I go through there a couple of times a year and its a pleasure to see how well kept the area is now. They opened a new road to the back gate a while back and its first rate for sure,. You should see it now....

 

[KMart]

Havelock/Cherry Point is as nice a town there is in NC now. Better than most non military. I go through there a couple of times a year and its a pleasure to see how well kept the area is now. They opened a new road to the back gate a while back and its first rate for sure,. You should see it now....

I was out there around 1999 or 2000. I couldn't believe how the area had grown since I had left. However after driving around for a while, I finally found the trailer park where I rented off base housing and the same trailer was still there, still being rented out to Marines after 30 years.
I can't imagine how much it has grown in the last 20 years. The base is now just a shell of its former self with all the military cut backs etc.

 

[ebb]

When we were coming home on Sunday they delayed our flight and said that the FAA would not allow any more planes in the air, that there would be too many to be safe. We were to depart at 1:30 and told to not take off till 2:57. How could there be too may planes in the air? The sky is a pretty big place and when you have the option of flying at any elevation you need to, to be separated and safe seems like the options are endless.

 

[TAJ45]

Too many flights, air is too full???!! GeezoPete...sounds like an over ripe crock of kimchee to me.
One poster said to enjoy what was available. With no car, kina hard to get to the Broad R. etc etc.
However, the idea of climbing above the emotional reaction, is the key. Being "It is what it is", deal w the current reality. In short, Embrace the Suck. Yeah, very difficult but why not salvage the time? It will be spent, lived anyway.
Glad you are back at your bit of Paradise.

 

[Brians356]

The sky is a pretty big place and when you have the option of flying at any elevation you need to, to be separated and safe seems like the options are endless.

Really? I don't even know where to start. Fly "at any elevation you need to". That's rich.
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[cwebster]

I was out there around 1999 or 2000. I couldn't believe how the area had grown since I had left. However after driving around for a while, I finally found the trailer park where I rented off base housing and the same trailer was still there, still being rented out to Marines after 30 years.
I can't imagine how much it has grown in the last 20 years. The base is now just a shell of its former self with all the military cut backs etc.

Cherry Point's in the process of getting 6 squadrons of the F35 Lightnings and doing away with the Harriers thank God. It seems to be a pretty big shell now...