Trying to get to Fort Lauderdale

In May 2006, we started planning a short vacation to Fort Lauderdale over the Canadian Thanksging week-end in October 2006. We travelled with some friends from Ottawa and were scheduled to meet in Philadelphia and take a flight together to Fort Lauderdale. Our plans were delayed greatly by the security at Pearson Airport - being Columbus Day week-end in the United States. Custom took about 2 hours to go through. Our flight was to leave at 6:30 a.m. but we did not take off until 8:20 a.m. or so.

Trying to land in Philadelphia turned out to be as difficult as taking off from Toronto. Due to weather they kept closing/opening the airport, Finally we landed and - of course we had missed our connection to Fort Lauderdale. Off we go to stand in line and try to rebook another flight on that day to Fort Lauderdale. We, along with many other passengers, waited patiently.

Finally our turn comes and at the same moment, this gregarious looking agent opened her counter to help with the backlog and motionned us over. We explained our situation and she did her best at looking to see what was available for a flight to Fort Lauderdale. Needless to say nothing was available except 2 seats in first class at 6:00 p.m. that night and it was going to West Palm Beach which is about one hour by car from our hotel. We asked about the extra cost of those tickets (first class) and she says "No Charge" - of course we took those seats ( I CALLED THAT GREAT SERVICE) and proceeded to spend the day in the airport - Thank God we both love reading.

I called the Atlantic Hotel to advised them of our late arrival and our change of plans now to land in West Palm Beach and asked them to arrange for a car to pick us up at that airport. The Atlantic Hotel front desk people turned out to be unbelievable (GREAT SERVICE). He asked for my cell number and said he would call me back as soon as arrangements were completed and indeed he did - quite quickly (GREAT SERVICE).

We did finally arrive at our hotel at about 11:00 p.m. after being up since 3:00 a.m. that morning - exhausted we went to bed but we were in a warm climate!!!!!!