Not thrilled by travel

That's the second time in a row that my first leg from Knoxville failed to leave approximately on time because of mechanical issues. That's also at least the second time in a row that a food and drink vendor in a British airport terminal failed to be able to offer the listed menu item I asked for. I have now arrived in Britain, though rather slow-baked during the oddly hot long-haul leg, and too delayed to pick up the keys to my flat today. Connecting may have been smoother had there been any gate agents or other information around (and their computer can reach me by SMS) upon my late arrival at O'Hare but it took me many minutes to even be able to talk to somebody who had a clue and most of them take ages because they are on hold to the other remote people they need. The trend toward destaffing airports, especially of anybody who can do anything, leaves rough edges exposed, at least for those of us not reliant on smartphone apps.