My life really is a series of comedies you’d have to see to believe. It’s amazing. I really enjoy it, more so because things usually work out in the end. The process though, awesome!!!!
I was stoked when the Brussels flight was on time. Even more excited to hear we were ahead of schedule. I only had two hours scheduled between landing in Montreal and leaving for Toronto. I knew that would be tight, especially with having to get medical clearance upon landing. So, I got comfortable and prepared myself for my flight.
The pilot comes on to report that they are experiencing a problem locating 6 pieces of luggage that are on the plane but their owners didn’t board. Ok, that’s cool.
It will take approximately 10 minutes to find each bag. Wtf?!?! There goes my transfer flight. I write it off and take my allergy pill.
My face is still swollen but slowly improving. I’m optimistic that I won’t look so contagious by the time I’m in Canada. We are ready for takeoff 40 minutes later, the pilot assures us he will speed to make up some time. Hmmmmmm. Maybe I can make my flight????
My television doesn’t work. I’m exhausted anyway so I decide to listen to music and sleep instead. The flight is 7 and a half hours, I could get a solid sleep in that time and feel much better by the time we land. I do just that. The first 6 hours of my flight consists of a series of power naps, interrupted only by meals and a couple washroom breaks.
I have the window seat and there is a guy, about my age, sitting to my right. I gave him my pretzels at snack time, so I fully expect him to cooperate when I ask him to check his television for our estimated landing time. He does. Excellent. I decide there is no way I’m making my flight. Since he’s been sitting on my good side the whole time, he starts to talk to me. He’s an RCMP officer who specializes in terrorism. Almost immediately, I feel like I have to explain my face. “I was attacked by a mosquito. It was an ugly scene but I’m not contagious”. We both start laughing. We have some really interesting conversations about our line of work for the rest of the flight.
About a half an hour to landing, the flight attendant comes by with a piece of paper.
Him – “Are you Sandra?”
Me – “Yes”
Him – “We just got a call from customs saying there are 3 of you on this flight who need to get off the flight first. I don’t know why.”
Me – “oh ok, that’s cool”
He leaves. I look at buddy next to me and say “that sounded really sketchy didn’t it?” “Yup!” We both start laughing again. “Do you think I’ll make it through customs with my face?” “Hmmmmm, you’ll definitely miss your flight.”
About five minutes later, the loud speaker goes on…
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have received a call from customs saying there are three people that need to get off this flight before anyone else. (Insert our names here!) When we land, please stay seated and allow them to get off the plane first.”
Nope, that’s not at all embarrassing. LOL! Buddy looks at me and laughs, “NOW you look sketchy!” Always a good thing to hear from a terrorism expert.
The plane lands and they announce that the three of us can get up now. I stand up and the female flight attendant orders me to sit down immediately. Ummmm, I don’t understand. She looks at me very seriously and tells me only the three people are allowed to leave. The male attendant screams from the other side of the plane, “that’s her!” Buddy and I look at eachother and he quietly says “sketchy”. I burst out laughing and say goodbye. Every single person is looking at me wondering what I did wrong. Awkward.
There are two people waiting to escort us to medical clearance. They take our passports but keep their distance. I turn to one guy and say “where are you coming from?” He says “Guinea, you?” “Sierra Leone”. Ahhhh. The other guy says he’s coming from Sierra Leone too. We bypass all the lines as we go thru customs and are taken into a small room. In the room, we are each given a 5 page questionnaire. My connecting flight is just a memory now. I fill out the form and wait to be seen by the nurse. My temperature is good. I’m given a thermometer and a lot of paper with detailed instructions on how to report my temperature daily for the next 21 days. Okie dokie.
It’s 2:40pm by the time I get the all clear. No way I’ll make my 2:45pm flight.
I know there are hourly flights from Montreal to Toronto so I’m not worried. I’m told I have to collect my baggage and check in on the other side. I also have to get rebooked for another flight, so I line up for the next available attendant. It’s 3pm when it’s my turn. She tells me every single flight for the day to Pearson is completely booked. Something about March Break. Crap. There is a flight for 3:30pm that lands at Toronto Island. I’ll take it!!!! Actually, that’s sold out now too. Dammit. 4:30pm it is. She’s moving slowly now that there is no rush. I message home to change the pickup location and time. Just as she’s about to print the ticket, a spot opens up at 3:30 and she gets excited and books it. Everything is done by 3:06pm and she looks at me calmly and says “you should probably start running now.”
I drop my bags off and sprint through the Montreal airport. There is a ten minute line to cross security but it’s moving well. I get through by 3:20pm and sprint to my gate. It’s conveniently located as far away as you can possibly imagine but I make it. Just in time.
My face looks better but I might pee myself.
Next stop: Toronto
And miles to go before I sleep 