As some of you know, I'm mobilized in Djibouti, Africa for the year. It isn't a particularly pleasant place, but we do get to take two 96-hour liberty periods off. They've tightened the rules, so it is really only 96 hours (before last month, you could fly somewhere and not get the flight days counted against the four days).

Anyway, my girlfriend and I decided that we would meet in Istanbul, Turkey, because it only takes me 10 hours to get there, and it takes her about 14 (total with layovers) from Boston.

My flight tonight was scheduled for 7pm out of Djibouti, to Ethiopia. I printed my boarding pass on my computer, went to the airport, went through customs, and then waited for the plane. When it was time to board, the gate agent wouldn't accept my self-printed boarding pass. He let everyone else go first, then he said, "come with me." We walked back down to the check-in (it's a tiny airport), and he asked them to get me a new boarding pass.

About two minutes later, I hear a plane start its engines, and I think, "I hope that's not my plane." It was my plane. It took off without me, and no one stopped it.

After a lot of yelling by all the people at the airport, they finally scheduled me for another flight tomorrow, which will get me in about 12 hours later than originally planned. So much for my 96-hour vacation -- now it's 84 hours.

So of course my girlfriend has to navigate through Istanbul by herself and isn't thrilled (and esp. after the woman from NYC was found dead). Luckily I was able to text her before she got on her cross-Atlantic flight, so she knows I won't be there to meet her.

Bleh. I guess I can call Ethiopian Airlines and try to get some money back (or something?), but I'm just more upset that my already short trip is cut down by half a day.

-Tofer

That sucks. I wonder why they give you the option to print it if they won't accept it to board.

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Athens, OH

Sorry man.

I've missed flights due to airport staff incompetence. Hope you have a good time with the limited time you have.

And don't watch Taken.

Dude... sorry to hear about the screwup. Of course the only explanation is "It's just Africa"...

(Never been there, but I've spent time in India and Pakistan back when they were just barely 2nd world countries. And the NWFP in Pakistain is still third world.)

Stay safe, enjoy your time with your lady.

Why are they so touchy about the boarding pass when the rest of the world takes printed out passes? Ridiculous Ethiopian Airlines !

Good luck. And I hope your letters of transit come through the next time.

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Tofer
He let everyone else go first, then he said, "come with me."

I was expecting this to turn into a situation where they wanted you to pay a bribe.

Enjoy the time you have and I hope you make it back on time.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

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GGD
I was expecting this to turn into a situation where they wanted you to pay a bribe.

My thought exactly. SOP in certain places.

Quote
GGD

Quote
Tofer
He let everyone else go first, then he said, "come with me."

I was expecting this to turn into a situation where they wanted you to pay a bribe.

Wouldn't have surprised me, but I didn't even get asked!

Don't let the snafus spoil your good time. Forget about it and move forward. You'll be seeing your honey in a little while.

Quote
vision63
Don't let the snafus spoil your good time. Forget about it and move forward. You'll be seeing your honey in a little while.

Will do -- I'll make the most of it. Been in a similar situation before, many years ago -- car broke down and missed an extra night. No worries!

Tofer-

Dumb question, but I wonder.... when you travel on leave, do you use your DOD ID or a US Passport ? I recall that in service travel is on the ID smart-card. And I also understand that at times you just don't want to be known as a Service member.

(BTW.. since I didn't say it and I usually do.. Thank You For Serving.)

Things could have been worse...

[youtu.be]

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cbelt3
Tofer-

Dumb question, but I wonder.... when you travel on leave, do you use your DOD ID or a US Passport ? I recall that in service travel is on the ID smart-card. And I also understand that at times you just don't want to be known as a Service member.

(BTW.. since I didn't say it and I usually do.. Thank You For Serving.)

Thanks for the thanks -- Djibouti is a lot less intense than some places, so I probably shouldn't complain (though it does smell like burning camels quite frequently, due to the city incinerator down the road...).

I use my Passport (civilian) to travel. Leaving/arriving in Djibouti they ask for my military ID, but I believe that is so I don't get charged a visa fee (nor need to actually acquire a visa). Many servicepeople travel on official passports, but I never got one.

Sorry for your hassles Tofer - I see that air travel in Africa is as much fun as here in the US>
Hope you and your girlfriend can enjoy what's left of your time off. Istanbul is a fantastic city to visit.

But its not Constantinople!

Hope the rest of your trip goes well!

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Quote
Racer X
But its not Constantinople!

Natch. Love that video.

[vimeo.com]

relax with the time you have.

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Bryan
______________________________________________________
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Did you have to take your shoes off? ;)