We woke up and I started packing because we were going to have brunch in Manhattan with cousin JD who happened to be in NYC for a conference. Yippie! I had to give Dani a little breakfast to tide her over and then because it was raining we decided to take Tahni’s car. JD suggested that we meet at a place called Effy’s Cafe and it was wonderful, especially the almond croissant. We had a great time visiting and catching up and then we headed back to Tahni’s place so I could finish packing and she could play with Dani.
After this photo we headed for the airport. Tahni got us there in plenty of time and I settled in with Dani to wait for our flight to board. On the return home we had to make a plane change in Charlotte which was going to make for a long evening getting home, but I had NO IDEA how eventful our night would be.
Here Dani is watching them prep our first flight. She was happy as can be waving and smiling at people waiting for their plane. One man ended up saying, “I just have to tell you that she is so cute. I have been having the worst day. The worst. And then she just keeps smiling at me and it made it better. Thanks.” We boarded our flight and I got Dani settled with goodies to play with and then we were in the air. Once we had leveled off I set up the DVD for her and got out the kindle for myself. With about 40 minutes of our flight left the plane tipped forward and stuff went flying off peoples laps. The oxygen masks dropped and people started to panic. I looked up and saw that our masks had not dropped, but I did notice that the row in front of us had 4 so I grabbed the extra to put on Dani. I had no idea what was happening, but Mama Bear kicked in and I wanted to save Dani if I could. As I was preparing to pull down on the tube (like you have heard a 100 times on flights) the woman next to me grabbed it out of my hand and put it on herself. WHAT? Oh yeah. That happened.
I start banging on the panel above us trying to get it open. I can see the flight attendant in my peripheral vision trying to get to us, but the plane is in such a steep descent, it’s hard. Finally the little pop happens and it opens up. I put a mask on myself and then force one onto Dani who is upset at this point. My ears were killing me so I know hers had to be also. Guess what is happening with the lady next to me while I am trying to get our panel open? She is taking selfies of herself in her oxygen mask. I was angry and shocked all at once, but I had to focus on Dani and keeping her mask on since it was way too big for a toddler. It smelled like smoke throughout the cabin and people were freaking out. I suspected it was from the tiny explosion that opens the panels for the oxygen masks. The flight attendants confirmed this, but people were too freaked to believe her. At some point during all of this the captain said that the main and back up system to keep the cabin pressurized had failed and that is why they had to take us into a rapid descent so we could get to a safe level for our bodies. He told us that we would go the rest of the way at 10,000 feet and that everything was okay.
This was a staged photo taken after everything was safe. Water spilled all over Dani’s pants in the midst of this so I had to change her into the extra clothes I bought. Then she spent the rest of the flight playing with the oxygen masks.
We landed and they offered medical help to anyone who wanted it and had a rep standing there to answer any questions. I asked about my ear pain and he said it would go away in about a half an hour. On a side note, while we were in the middle of all that and walking up the ramp Dani had a blow out!! This had never happened with either of her sisters and of course we went straight for the bathroom so I could change her back into the wet clothes. After that I called Mike to tell him everything before our next flight. What an adventure!
Before our flight to DFW took off my ears had completely stopped hurting and Dani seemed to be okay so that was a relief. On our flight to DFW the flight attendant was so enamored of Dani she kept coming over to check on us and her. I told her about our last flight and she was amazed. She said that she had been flying for 27 years and that had never happened. Which goes to show how very safe flying is.
It was a wonderful trip and I am so glad we went.