Why You Should Always Know Your Airline's Customer Service Apps/Contact Information And Be Ready To Act Quickly

Some quick thinking prevented me from missing out on a trip to St. Louis.

Greetings from home. After a quick weekend getaway that saw me travel to St. Louis and Minnesota for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ two-game road trip through the Central Division, I’m glad to be back home for a bit.

But the trip almost didn’t happen. For many reasons.

The first reason started when I was woken Friday morning by the fire alarm. My first instinct? Assume someone pulled it, and try to go back to sleep. That’s when our security concierge came over the P.A. system, announcing a fire on the 15th floor. Get out.

In a T-Shirt and shorts, I grabbed my dog and phone and made my way to the exit. I couldn’t see any fire. Turns out it was already extinguished by then. I’m thankful it wasn’t more serious.

After covering the Toronto Maple Leafs practice, I headed to Pearson Airport, ready to board an American Airlines flight to DC Reagan Airport, with a connection to St. Louis. The only direct flight (via Air Canada) was earlier in the day and too early.

We’re backing out of the jetway, ready for takeoff when I hear the flight attendant yell, “Whoever is playing with matches, please stop!” Umm, what?

I look up, and there’s a smoky haze a few seats ahead. The captain comes over the P.A., saying they’ve shut off the engines and are waiting for a tow back to the gate.

Second fire-like incident in one day. I felt like I was in a ‘Final Destination’ movie.

With only a 58-minute connection time, I knew this wasn’t good.