Having to sleep in an airport when the hotels are full is less than ideal but can be totally tolerable. Use the following ingredients and mix well:
1.) Earplugs and eye mask
2.) Cocoon Silk mummy bag
3.) iPhone tethering plan for last minute work (and watching the last episode of Once Upon A Time when you're done!)
4.) Drinking lots of water
5.) A 3G Kindle
6.) Pack one bag efficiently, travel light, and check no luggage. Ever.
None of this however makes me less mad at United Airlines! We caught our connecting flight to Boston after a heroic effort by our pilot and outstanding crew on the first leg from Jacksonville to Washington DC but when we arrived from gate 17 and walked straight over to gate 18 they would not let us on board for a domestic flight.
Despite me watching them close the door after other passengers, they told me 'the plane was "already gone".
Reason cited for 'missing my flight'? weather.
They left the gate 3 minutes early.
I was impressed how quickly they responded to my complaint on Twitter, but nothing really came of it. I was also extremely happy with the hard work of the crew, but my disgust with the boldfaced lies and intolerable passenger service to myself and the other passengers on our arrival is overwhelming.
No more United for this frequent flier.
-A