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Monday, August 20, 2007
Escape from Cleveland
After being stranded in Cleveland overnight because of storms in Chicago (see blog below), getting back to London has proved a real task. This is how things have gone so far:

OK, so I got to Cleveland airport to catch the 0619 flight, but found it delayed to 0725. No matter. I still have time to get to Washington for the Heathrow connection. Should have an hour or so to spare

UPDATE:

That hour evaporated. We still haven't boarded yet.

UPDATE:

Another hour gone! I am still in Cleveland.

UPDATE:

Pilot didn't put enough fuel on flight for long taxi at Cleveland. Returned to terminal for more.

No way I will get to Dulles International for my Heathrow flight. Having to go on red-eye tonight. I now have the delights and joys of eight hours in Dulles. Of all the airports, in all of the U.S. it is amongst the most miserable with poorest facilities while they rebuild it.

Today's challenge: Find something interesting to do in Dulles.

UPDATE:

Landed at Dulles, flight to London left an hour ago.

Now to see what misery they can inflict...
Posted by Richard Quest: 3:37 PM
3 Comments Add a comment
hi mr quest, i simply love your last blog! but wot will you stumble on next before your trip to London? i tot the visit to Elvis's kingdom was simply brilliant and hope you werent burnt out?
Anyways i have always appreciated your work and wish you a safe trip
Posted By Anonymous : 7:12 PM ET  
The airlines have discovered that you can make more money by giving crappy service as long as everyone in the industry goes along. Only a price war is worse than a service war. They much prefer to compete with advertising.

Why do you hang up in frustration after being on hold while listening to obnoxious music interrupted every 18 seconds by an orgasmic female voice declaring "Your call is very important to us...". So you will hang up. They can hire fewer Indians (hard workers all) to handle calls for them. Why are restaurants decorated in garish colors? Research has shown that you will bolt down your food faster and get out so they can turn that table over.

But then, I have to confess that I'm just cranky. My flight was cancelled last night, and the flight I was supposed to take at 7:15 this morning has been delayed until 11:45 (or so they say).
Posted By terry, el paso, tx : 2:20 PM ET  
Richard,
Here are two options for a layover at Dulles (IAD).
1) Take a taxi ($8-12) or the Virginia regional transit shuttle (departs every 45 minutes) to the National Air & Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy museum, which is located on the southeast corner of the airport. Loads to see, including the space shuttle Enterprise. Museum admission is free ($12 fee for the car park). www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/

2) Take a taxi to nearby Reston, VA. 10 minutes (6 miles) from IAD. The outdoor "town centre" has a mix of shops, nice restaurants, a movie theatre and a Hyatt hotel. More than enough options to keep you busy during a layover.

In fact, I often suggest to friends who are departing IAD on international flights to check in their baggage at the recommended four hours pre-departure, but then taxi over to Reston for a proper pre-departure meal instead of choosing from the limited fast food choices at Dulles. Plenty of time leftover to taxi back to Dulles and join the security queues.
Posted By Suzy : 9:56 PM ET  
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