AZ - Day 1 (CBD)

Got to the airport earlier than planned as the hotel was much closer than we thought, still, we had time to get some breakfast and relax.

As the time to depart drew closer, 14.40 hrs we kept an eye out for the gate number to be announced.  Should have been 13.30hrs, nothing. ...then it was 1530, then on it went until 1930hrs.  By this time we had met up with some fellow passengers who all has different versions of why the flight had been delayed.  Apparently the plane  (BA289) had been here since lunchtime but there was a problem with the fuel lines and air conditioning. ...

After we visited the help desk we were fobbed off with some £20 worth of  food and drink vouchers and told to keep an eye out for news on the information board.   Gradually the departure lounge was becoming less crowded as the other flights departed.

Finally the gate was announced and we took off just after 8pm, some 9 hours after we arrived at the airport!  Feeling relieved we boarded the plane hoping they had really sorted out the problem but then realising we had a 10 hour flight ahead of us.  The flight was tedious, and it was impossible to sleep. 

Both Paul and I enjoyed the film Daddy's home with Will Ferrell. ..well worth a second viewing.

I was too tired to concentrate on another film so tried to doze...think I managed 15 mins or so!

Finally 5 hours late we touched down with a bang in Phoenix Sky Harbor the time being 22.28hrs.  

By the time we had got through immigration and grabbed the bags it was about 2320 hrs.  We then had to get the hire car...no signs or mention anywhere that we could see as to how we might find them  in the end I asked a security person on her break...the place was virtually deserted at this time. 

It seems we had to go down 2 levels to the street and pick up a shuttle bus which took us to the car rental about 10 mins drive away.  The driver was very jokey welcoming us all to Phoenix and went into great detail about the amount of baseball games being played over the forthcoming Memorial Day!  Finally we got the car which Paul has always wanted - a Dodge Charger Sxt 3.6 V6! Off to the hotel we had booked for one night.  Finally got to bed about 0130hrs or 0830 am our time!!