victoria’s secrets VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS vschneps@gmail.com tweet me @vschneps With my cousin Marcia Fischer going up the gangplank for our cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Elegant setting in the grand dining room, one of four dining rooms aboard the ship. Race car driver honored Dynamic $1000 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK FREE WHITENING INCLUDED THE INVISIBLE WAY TO SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY STRAIGHTEN TEETH Third Generation Dentist ������������ �������������� �������������� �������������� ������������������������ �� ������������������������ Going, going, at long last gone That is the story of my flight to begin my cruise along the east coast of South America. The poorly managed American Airlines flight was to take me nonstop to Buenos Aires, where I would board the ship. But both the weather and poor management has made the flight a flight from hell. It all began on a slushly, snowy Saturday, Feb. 21. I knew my flight was to leave at 10 p.m., but I kept waiting all day for a delay call that never came. So I slowly, slidingly saw my driver make his way through the stormy night to JFK Airport. When I got there and had my bags checked I made my way to the Admiral’s Club to wait for the flight announcement. I was told the flight was still scheduled for 10 p.m. But when they finally boarded passengers at 11 p.m., and I was snugly secured in my seat and about to fall asleep even though the flight hadn’t taken off, there was an announcement at 1 a.m. that we must disembark because the pilot could not fly because of overtime problems. We filed off the plane, only to be told to return the next morning for a 9 a.m. departure. It gets better. At 6 a.m. I was up again and had my driver sleep over so he could take me and my cousin back to JFK Airport at that early hour. When I arrived at the gate I was told, “Sorry, the flight is now scheduled to take off at 2 p.m.” No communication, no calls, no emails. Back on line for a 2 p.m. departure. The crowd thickened and tempers rose as we waited and waited. Finally I saw an attendant and asked, “What’s going on?” He responded, “Oh, the catering people haven’t arrived, it will be another hour and a half.” I asked him, “Why isn’t someone telling us all of this?” So, within minutes there was an announcement and in one voice the waiting, tired, standing passengers together initiated a roar of anger, banging on pillars, clapping hands and venting their universal frustration. Ironically, the woman standing next to me said the airline had notified her because she is a frequent flier with top status! Although I had checked that they have my phone and email I guess I didn’t “qualify” to be informed. I’m grateful to be taking a break from the world on my vacation, but each of us must have memories of a departure from hell. One thing is for sure — I will never fly American Airlines again. What happened to communication and service? It shouldn’t be affected by the weather! As the 2 o’clock hour came for departure, we found out we were further delayed because a woman got ill and her bags had to be removed from the plane. The good news is I arrived safely in Buenos Aires and began my 12-day cruise up the coast of South America ending in Rio de Janeiro. Stay tuned! With the world in chaos and madmen causing havoc through their hate, it’s great to have control of something. And that is the simple joy of celebrating with all my children Jonah’s sixth birthday. My daughter Elizabeth sent an airline ticket to her stepson in California to be Jonah’s surprise “gift.” He was on his way until the threat of a snowstorm canceled his flight and then stood standby for hours even after Elizabeth arranged the change. To the rescue came my friends at Delta who got him on a flight and finally into Jonah’s arms. Earlier in the day Jonah and I had gone to the local Value Mart, an old-fashioned variety store where you can find band-aids or paper plates or candy or housewares or toys or balloons — you get the idea. We were there to buy three dozen balloons to match the plates and napkins for the party. When we miraculously got them into the car and spread them through the house they became the surprisingly favorite toy of the day! My son Josh and Tracey had just returned from Beaches resort on Turks and Caicos with 2-year-old Hudson. So I had missed them for the week they were gone. And then Samantha and Spencer brought Blake and Morgan to add to the celebration. In a complex world, it’s good to see the simple things of family and friends can make a memorable celebration extraordinary! Jonah is 6! Jonah and half brother Evan Legendary race car driver Mario Andretti and The Queens Courier Publisher Victoria Schneps at the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit 49th Annual Gala held at The Pierre hotel on Feb. 19. TIMES, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 • 28
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