We tried 3 more flights but were unable to get on any of them. Our only option appeared to be this Delta relic. If we could just get out onto the tarmac and sneak in with the VIPs they were taking up on it.
The stowaway plan didn't pan out either so it was time for plan C - an evening flight to Las Vegas and then a red-eye from there back to Cincinnati. I guess Las Vegas is not real popular at this time of the year. We had no problems getting first class on this flight.