I'm quivering. I've spent a month deliberating and two weeks debating and finally today both Little Cuter and I finalized our plans for a family get together in Marin.... for Chanukkah and Christmas and New Year's and TBG's 75th birthday.
My usual self would have purchased these tickets around Halloween. My current self preferred to obsess and ignore and generally refuse to deal with the situation. I'm not sure it would have made any difference. The bargain price is the bargain price, it seems, and there are no discounts around our dates.
Figuring all that out, however, was anxiety provoking.
United Airlines' website is user friendly up until it comes to figuring out how much you want to spend on choosing your seats and carrying on a bag. After much perusal and an occasional swear word, I assured myself that while a bag in the overhead is forbidden, TBG and I each may check a suitcase.
It's been so long since I checked a bag that I'm not sure we still own bigger than carryon suitcases. This does solve the problem of getting the gifts where they need to go, though.
Little Cuter had to manage a variety of competing interests before settling on their trip. It turns out that it's just as expensive to fly from Chicago to SFO as it is to fly from Tucson. I'm not sure how that manages to be true, but it is.
I am also uncertain why United wants me to donate to their climate change initiative. I cannot imagine they really need my $3.50 to effect change. I declined their offer to participate in saving the planet. I am sure I'll be able to live with myself.
And so we are all set for a family group hug..... even if it did take some wrangling to get it all accomplished.
Gawd, I am beginning to hate the US airlines. Here's hoping the travel itself won't be as arduous as the arranging.
ReplyDeleteI've not flown in 14 years. Our last trip with the family to Oregon was done in a rental van. Now we are discussing a flight to Oregon next June as a celebration for our 50th wedding anniversary. I tried to wiggle out of it during our Thanksgiving visit with our kids but my son-in-law, who has huge work responsibilities (he is a water expert for two municipalities) said it was happening and I couldn't back out.
ReplyDeleteI bet on United being able to spend their own profits to fund a climate change initiative! I always decline to "round up" for a charity when a business asks me since I prefer to choose the charities to which I donate.
ReplyDeleteI guess I would have planned that trip months in advance, but I guess it doesn't matter. Last minute seems to work. :-)
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