Still in Atlanta...

I have to admit I'm getting less optimistic by the hour here. I've now been in Atlanta's airport waiting for a standby seat to Dubai for over 48 hours now. Although last night I opted to sleep in a bed so I gave in and left the airport for the comfort of a nearby Motel 6 and a meal at Waffle House (You know you're in the South when there is a Waffle House on every corner). I knew it wouldn't be easy to fly standby internationally, but I wasn't expecting every flight to not only be full, but overbooked, leaving little room for the remaining crowds of fellow standby passengers like myself. I've become familiar with some of these people, as we've been forming a sullen community of disappointed travelers. Most of these are young men who are trying to head to Dubai for holiday while on their University winter break. At least we have become accustom to things like sharing toothpaste and watching each others bags while making trips to the restroom and whatnot.