Dead & Company’s two-night stand at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 24 and 25, 2023, was a highly-anticipated stop on their emotional “The Final Tour.”

Since I was still working (Stacey was self employed and semi retired) we decided to try to get to as many shows on the final tour that we could. Boston is a short commuter flight and with the shows over the weekend this seemed perfect.

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare, an early morning flight would get us to Boston with time to spare, might get a little sightseeing in before the show. As we waited at the gate the plane arrived and started unloading people, then an announcement called for a gate change. No reason why, our plane was already at our departure gate, why the change? As we made our way to the new gate we heard that our plane was now going to St Croix. As we got to the new gate passengers going to St Croix were deplaning and heading to our old gate. We waited for the ground crews to turn around the plane and then waited to start the boarding process.

That was when we heard the first delay message, 45 minutes delay. Not a deal breaker, but annoying. An hour later we got another 45 minute delay. It was now mid-morning, still plenty of time to make the show tonight.

Another hour dragged on and our departure was pushed back yet again. We were told there was a faulty switch and maintenance crews would have it taken care of shortly. All I could think about was why was my plane going to St Croix. Still hoping the new switch would do the trick, I headed to the United customer service desk to look for alternatives, also, checking my phone for other airlines going to Boston as a backup plan. The United desk was no help, the current flight was just delayed, I was told to go back to the gate a wait. We were given a $15 food voucher to compensate for the delay. Anyone who has been in an airport over the last 10 years knows at an airport food court $15 does not cover most meals, but we were now scheduled (no longer delayed) to leave early afternoon, still time to make the show and maybe get a dinner beforehand.

No other flights would get us there in time, plus our bags were checked with no way to retrieve them. We waited and hoped the new departure time would hold. Just before boarding was supposed to start, the plane was removed from service, and taken back to some hanger for maintenance. Our flight still not canceled, so the United help desk could not help, a new plane would be ready as soon as it landed and was turned around. We were scheduled again and headed off to a third departure gate and waited for the arriving plane, and were given another $15 food voucher for our troubles. Now 7 hours into this ordeal and with plane would arrive shortly most of our fellow travelers seemed happy to not fly on the now retired plane. The new plane landed and we now were ready to board. We would land with just enough time to get to Fenway Park and see the show. I had already worked out a luggage storage solution so we could go right to Fenway and not have to go to the hotel first. As the plane pushed back from the gate there was a round of applause from everyone. Finally on our way. The plane taxied to the end of the runway and turned to take off. The engines revved up and then came back down. My stomach sank. The engines revved back up and still we were not moving. The engines died down again.

The pilot announced that a sensor warning light was showing uneven fuel flow and we would be returning to the terminal. We were crushed!

As we walked back into the terminal, United officially cancelled the flight. We were offered a flight the next afternoon if we wanted. We headed home utterly devastated with no plans to try again tomorrow.

I quickly gave our tickets away on Facebook. At least someone would have a miracle.

Once I got home, I went online and purchased tickets for the 3 shows in Boulder Colorado the next weekend. This time we will fly out the day before, just in case.