The Force Family Strikes Back: A Trip Report

[Dreamer]

Thanks. I was worried I was losing my mind.

[OBNurseNH]

This is not necessarily proof that you haven’t lost your mind.
Just that you were able to recall one random fact.

[Dreamer]

I’m trying to appear normal.

[OBNurseNH]

You’re carrying it off nicely!

[Dreamer]

Thanks

[DeepInTheHeartofTexas]

@Jeff_AZ

The only problem is that this is the last time our entire family of 6 can fit into a studio (once DD2 graduates from a pack ‘n’ play).

This was a sad graduation day for my family.

[OBNurseNH]

@Jeff_AZ

@hmbhmbhmb

workers are striking because the airlines are implementing vaccine mandates

Without derailing my (already ended?) trip report, I’ll just say I think these things start as a rumor and who knows if that’s actually true. Come to think of it, I don’t want to know if it’s true.

From the news this morning

The problems showed how small disruptions can snowball as airlines seek to recover from the pandemic. Southwest said the disruptions began with bad weather and air traffic control issues in Florida early in the weekend. But then they continued, ultimately leading to more than 2,000 canceled flights that left passengers stranded and desperately seeking help.Kelly said the problems in Florida hit Southwest particularly hard because about half of its planes go through the state.

Whoa. That does make a huge impact and would explain why it looked like SW was more heavily impacted by the (initial) weather issues than other carriers. I had not idea that nearly half of their planes go through Florida; that may be something for them to look at? IDK.

Also from the same article:

Some leading conservatives claimed the disruptions were caused by pilots protesting against Southwest imposing a coronavirus vaccine mandate. There was no evidence that was the case and the airline, pilots union and the government all pushed back against the claims. “To be clear: None of the information from Southwest, its pilots union, or the FAA indicates that this weekend’s cancellations were related to vaccine mandates,” the Federal Aviation Administration wrote in a tweet Monday evening.

You were right to chalk it up to rumor @Jeff_AZ I think it was an easy one for anyone to buy into given the current conditions and vaccine concerns (NOT OPENING UP A DEBATE HERE AT ALL)

[hmbhmbhmb]

Somehow that’s even worse… Oy.

[NoBellePrizeWinner]

You’ve lived up to your user slogan on this one. Thanks for sharing.

[OBNurseNH]

I agree completely.

[OBNurseNH]

Well full transparency I 100% bought into and got my feathers ruffled that someone might use the vaccine thing that way. So I felt it important to circle back and say - I was wrong to buy into it. And I’m “glad” that’s not it but that’s also a reasonably easy fix vs flight schedules that take half of an airline through an area with volatile weather on a daily basis.

[RH_TtR]

Thanks for doing the report @Jeff_AZ . I appreciate seeing a similarly-aged family doing the same things we do with the same reactions from the kids. Helps assure us that our experience is “normal”. I also appreciate your ever-sunny disposition no matter what comes about.

[Jeff_AZ]

Thanks for reporting back on this! It is a bit of a relief for me, as annoying as the flight delays are regardless of reason. Hopefully SW will get their s*** together soon.

[OBNurseNH]

@Jeff_AZ

Hopefully SW will get their s*** together soon.

and everyone else because although they seem to be the worst of it now, no airline seems to be immune to the current “crisis”

[len]

I vaguely remember the title change. It’s been a while!

[PrincipalTinker]

Am I remembering correctly that the change took place in the middle of a thread about titles?

[missoverexcited]

I think so.

[Dreamer]

It has. But I feel vindicated since other people remember too (so I’m not delusional).

[ryan1]

@Dreamer

so I’m not delusional

At least…not about that.

[Dreamer]

Oh, absolutely. I will graciously accept my other delusions.