Mike Freeman

What would you rather do? Have your ribs torn from your body, one at a time, or use some of the airlines?

Hmmmm....

On Saturday, while trying to get to Los Angeles to cover the NBA Finals and party with Doyel, my flight to LA was canceled.

Hey, that happens. There were thunder storms out. I'd rather not die.

But in typical airlines fashion, everything after that got all screwed up.

My original flight was on US Airways. After it was canceled they put me on a Continental flight the next morning. At least they said they did. When I got to Continental that night to get a boarding pass, Continental actually gives me one. I think I'm set. I get a sparkling three hours of sleep and head back to the airport at four in the morning.

Only, what Continental issued me was worthless. When I go to board the plane, Continental says my boarding pass is useless. They claimed that US Airways had royally screwed up. I had no ticket and would need to buy another on the spot.

Hold on. Wait. Let me back up to my experience of going through the security line first.

I'm pulled for extra screening. One of the security men says to me: "Your bag is testing for large quantities of explosives."

I immediately think: Damn Under Armor underwear did it again.

I assure the security guy I do not manufacture explosives and if I did I would use them on Doyel. The machine is insistent. Then the geniuses finally figure out the machine is busted, use another machine, and I'm cleared of being Hezbollah.

Back to Continental and US Airways. It was such a badly mismanaged situation it was almost laughable. Continental blamed US Airways and US Airways blamed Continental. Continental made me buy another ticket for -- you guessed it -- a much higher fare than the one I originally paid.

Disgrace.

I get on the plane and after a two-hour delay, we have to get off the aircraft because of some murky, alleged wiring issue. We change planes and depart uber-late.

Double disgrace.