Delta: Two mechanicals delay CSO return home

About 80 symphony musicians, staff members, conductor Paavo Jarvi, musicians with children and I were wondering if we'd ever get home Saturday, as we flew from Madrid to CVG.

Our Delta flight out of Madrid was delayed two hours because of a cabin pressure problem -- on the runway, it felt like we were at 2,000 feet. Ears popped and babies screamed. Mechanics tinkered and we took off, albeit not with a great feeling of confidence.

We arrived at JFK, where Delta was actually holding our connecting flight -- only to be told after boarding that there was a problem with the rudder. That one couldn't be fixed. Somehow, Delta found us an empty plane, and we arrived at CVG about four hours late. (Do they have planes just lying around, now that they've cut flights?)

Have the airlines become flying junkyards?

What's your worst travel story?

Photos: Waiting for new boarding passes. Below, in Madrid they shrink-wrap luggage. I'm told it's to keep your possessions from being stolen.