OT: How was everyone's trip home?

We were in LA and flew back yesterday. We were about to land in Chicago at around 5:30 when the pilot announced only one runway was open due to snow and we had to reroute to Minneapolis to refuel. So we arrived back in Chicago 4 hours late. Weird thing is, there was no snow on the ground so I have no idea why only one runway was open -- maybe freezing rain. 

quick flight back to SD without issues. had a few different neutrals asking me why all the Michigan people. can't imagine life without sports/fandom. that said, they might live longer than us.

My brother flew home yesterday- Houston=>Tampa=>Detroit including a terminal change in Tampa.  He had about a two 1/2  hour delay in Tampa due to storms moving through but got home.  Sounded like there were a lot of delays/flight changes

Not fun! But I made it, so trying to focus on that. Pretty sure I spent more time on the tarmac than in the air for this whole trip. Also got to do at least a half a mile sprint through Fort Lauderdale's airport to try and catch my connecting flight only to find out they were waiting on the crew... from my flight from Houston. Flight board could have saved me a lot of grief if it had just said 'delayed' instead of 'on time'.

Flew back home to Florida yesterday after a short delay in Houston, and the flight was glorious - a ton of UM fans on the plane. Everyone was in great mood. Except for the 3 or 4 UW fans, but they were gracious at least, even though they still looked a bit shell-shocked.

Honestly, was one of the worst journeys home (16 hours), but who gives a fuck.  Kept thinking about the defense, and The Don and Blake, and all the guys of Team 144 who persevered and earned it.  Couldn't stop smiling, and I won't for awhile.  Glorious

Great!  A lot of happy Michigan fans still in disbelief from the night before and we got the flight attendant to say "WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THAN US?!" on the plane.

Flight was delayed an hour, so I just listened to the Joel Klatt podcast while we waited.  But an easy direct flight from Houston!

The worst part was the $90 Uber to the airport at 7:30am.  Absolutely insane.

Sidenote, that was my first time in Houston...maybe I'll try again in the summer, but, not for me. Felt like a southern super spread out Detroit, when I was anticipating Chicago meets Atlanta.  I was born in Detroit, family is still there...if I want to go to Detroit...I'll just go to Detroit.

I really want to go to Austin this fall, I feel like I'd enjoy it.

Sorry for anyone who had delays and struggles and hope all got home safely. It was a blast celebrating with strangers in the airports. I got home at MSP and we had some of the best Who's got it better that us cheers in the terminal on the way out!

Interesting.  

After finally going to bed around 1:30 or so we had a 7:30am flight out of IAH with a 40 minute or so drive to the rental lot so not much sleep for us.  When the alarm went off at 4:15am the first thing I saw was a text from United telling me our flight had been cancelled but we had been rebooked on another flight leaving at the exact same time going to Cleveland.  I realized then this was because our initial flight was on a 737 Max and those had all been grounded.  We couldnt get seat assignments on the ap so we hurried to the airport to get things settled.

When we got there I found out that I still had a seat assaigment in first class (we used points for the trip) but my lovely wife did not and had been given a middle row seat in coach.  This was because the replacement plane had only three rows of seating up front while the Max had four.  And despite my efforts to trade my seat with my wife she insisted on sitting in the back which made me feel terrible (although I did enjoy the extra leg room, free drinks and hot breakfast) for the trip home.

The plane back to Cleveland was easily 90% Michigan fans and we were all dressed in M gear.  I spoke to several people while we were waiting to board who were from Michigan but had driven down because flights were so much cheaper here.  The best part of the journey home though came as we left the plane.  Some guy had put a speaker in his carry on bag and was absolutely BLASTING the Victors as we all walked down the concourse in Cleveland Hopkins airport and all of us M fans & grads were joyfully singing it loudly together as we headed to baggage claim!

I ended up flying out 7:45 the following morning.  The airport was surprisingly crowded and it meant a complete lack of sleep but worked out from a travel standpoint as I ended up missing alot of the bad weather that delayed others.

There were 22 ecstatic Michigan fans going home through Tulsa with a connection scheduled to arrive in STL about 6:30 pm. But we were stuck on the ground so long at Hobby that we were still in the air when the connection left without us. Southwest rerouted all of us back to Dallas (with more than a four-hour layover) and then to STL. We finally landed at nearly 1 am. (I think. I was really too tired by then to remember.) Travel time from Hobby to Lambert: Nearly 13 hours. But as I said to some fellow Michigan travelers, "If before you went to Houston, someone had told you that we would win, but you'd have to miss your flight back and not get to your home till after 2 in the morning, would you do it?" I don't have to tell you their answer.

I walked in the house and said to my MGoPoodle, "We left as ordinary people and return as NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!" She was as excited as we were!

A little hectic at IAH in the morning but made it to our flight safely and landed on the east coast with a slight delay. Actually a bit quiet on the flight but i think we were all sleep deprived given it was an 8am departure. 

Was rough out of Hobby, had intended to drive back to dallas and fly out but that was just as rough. But still, felt no pain. 

My SW flight out of Houston was delayed by nearly 3 hours last night. We landed in Chicago 10 minutes after my connection to Grand Rapids was supposed to have left. However, there were nearly 20 of us on the flight from Houston so they held the plane for us!

After boarding the new flight they told us we had to sit on the plane for 40 minutes before taking off so that the crews in Grand Rapids could clear runways of snow buildup. Worst part, since it is only a 30 minute flight there were no beverages on board (that they would give to us).

Finally got into Grand Rapids around 12:30am this morning.

We were supposed to go Austin to Atlanta to Detroit yesterday, leaving at 12:50.  We ended up direct from Austin to Detroit on the 5:30 this morning, which meant not much sleep, but not too much hassle.  Well worth it!

Returning the rental car to Austin yesterday to get the shuttle back to the hotel, I saw Zinter's family in the return area.  So... cool story bro.

Also, we had time to kill, so stopped at the Austin Buc-ees.  Once we were at the hotel yesterday, we got word that the Michigan Marching Band was delayed leaving too.  So the entire MMB went to the Katy, TX Buc-ees and my son was asking if we needed anything.  LOL

Generally fine out of Austin. Had a small delay due to other flights being delayed on their way in but nothing major. 

This is not a trip per se, but after the game and cheering in my basement for a good hour and a half afterward, I tripped walking up the stairs and hit my eye on the doorknob. My eye looks a bit more blue than maize currently.

There were five of us in my group, two from LA, one from CT and my son and I live in the Dallas area,  Four of us got home without issue, the CT person's flight was diverted and he got home about six hours later than he expected.

As I noted in a text, a small price to pay to watch a Michigan National Championship.

Now if my voice would only return to normal...

My travel both to and from Houston was a complete shit show.  Made a terrible decision (in hindsight) to fly in Monday.  Was supposed to be on the ground in Houston by 1:25pm local time.  No big deal, right?  Naturally, the flight was delayed twice before finally taking off.  We ended up circling Houston for hours before landing in San Antonio to refuel shortly before kickoff.  Landed in Houston halfway through the first quarter, sprinted to catch a ride and got to my seats midway through the 2nd quarter.  Flight home was supposed leave Hobby at 12:35, connect in Orlando, and arrive home in Columbus by about 7:30.  Both flights got delayed several times so I spent all day at the airport waiting to fly home. Managed to get home just before 3am.  

This is definitely not OT.  Glad everyone is making it home and brought back a victory.

For yesterday, I had booked several months ago actually, two flights one at 8:15 am and another at 5:00pm from Houston Hobby to Grand Rapids and I was going to decide later which one to take.  Based on the weather forecast and also Denver was the early connection with no weather issues and Chicago the later flight connection, I opted for the early flight. Still ended up arriving 45 minutes late to Grand Rapids as there was a crew issue in Denver. 

After experiencing the Rose Bowl, 5 days in Vegas, and the national championship in Houston, I am clearing snow in my driveway in Michigan. But for the first time in my life with a big smile as I won't come down from this emotional high for a long time. 

It was a bit more "trains planes and automobiles" than we'd normally like.

By the time I started looking in to flights from DTW, the only destination that wasn't insanely over-priced and that had the right dates/times for us was DFW.  So, DFW it was.  (Had thought about maybe flying in and out of Cleveland, but decided I'd rather do the driving at the destination rather than to and from our flights back home.)

Flights were delayed a few hours both coming and going.  Everything else ran smoothly.  

Sort of enjoyed the drive from DAL to HOU.  Buc-ees is quite the sight to behold.  Glad I can cross that off of my bucket list.

Also enjoyed my first-ever visit to a Waffle House. The hash browns and waffles did not disappoint.

And, man, do they ever LOVE their flags in Texas.  U.S. and Texas flags everywhere along the highway.  Largest flags I've ever seen other than on a football field during the National Anthem.  

Pro Tip:  Do not book a hotel (the Moxy) directly across from a stop on the Houston Metro Rail Red Line.  Those trains start going promptly at 5AM. Wasn't so bad for this trip, as I wasn't really getting much sleep.  But, man, it was LOUD.  Location in the historic district and vibe at the hotel were great; we like trendy hotels with fun lobby bars and interesting design choices.  Was also very convenient to take the train to NRG Stadium.  But I don't see how the expected TripAdvisor reviews don't do them in (hotel is relatively new;  not many reviews yet.)

Go Blue!

My home is in the Chicago area.  My son - a current Michigan student - asked me to watch the NC game with him and his crew - in Ann Arbor.   It was a request I gladly complied with since we've been watching / attending Michigan games since he was five years old.

We watched the game at Scorekeepers - where I easily appeared to be the oldest person attending - and, after the game - he headed to celebrate on South U while I headed to my hotel.

I left Ann Arbor early on Tuesday am - drove through the wintry mix in southern Michigan - and, was in my Chicago office by 10 am.   

The drive when those winter storms come through can be a bit messy - but, it was definitely worth it all.

Go Blue!

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Left Austin yesterday and my connecting flight home in Atlanta got cancelled so ended up spending a night in Atlanta and flying home as I type this. Still wouldn't change a thing.

I live in Austin, but for various reasons needed to rent a car for the trip.  I drove back after the game -- well, after the police emptied the stadium :) -- and dropped off the rental car at like 3:15 AM... immediately behind a group of sad Washington fans who appeared to be preparing for a flight.  They must have had a very, very bad, long Tuesday. :)

2.5 hour delay in Dallas after spending 4 hours on the road to drive there. That means I just had to think of the magic of the night before for a few extra hours...So the time flew by.

Turbulence, canceled  flights, missed connections, weather disruptions, expensive food, middle seats...overall the best flights ever!

Flat out Joy!  Go Blue!

I drove both ways with my Father in Law. We left straight from the game. The flight tickets were pretty insane when we decided to make the trip and I also got stuck in Phoenix with mechanical problems on our flight after the Fiesta Bowl last year. As bad as it may sound, we had a fine time!

Leaving Houston this evening!

Better than the trip there 😢. At least I made it for the very end of the game I guess. There were at least 10-20 M and UW fans with tickets to the game on my (eventually cancelled) flight from Dallas to Houston, and given my average speed driving from DFW, I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that made it at all. Feel for everyone that missed the game because of all the delays/cancellations...