Airport Happenings

Airport Happenings--

Everyone who purchases an airline ticket wants the same things--for the plane/s to be on time and for luggage to show up all in one piece at the same time you do.

If those two things happen, the trip is bound to be a success.  You will have the toothbrush and curling iron that is essential for a good trip, and you will be on time for check-in at the designated hotel.  I love it when things go smoothly.

However, things don't always go as planned.   On our last return trip, the plane was two hours late due to a situation in a Midwest Airport Traffic Control Tower.  How can that be when you are sitting in a Northwest Airport?  I can't figure that out.  And neither could anyone else who sat with that glassy-eyed look at 7 in the morning.  To be there at 7 meant we all had to be up and around by 4:30.  But, people were understanding and patient.

We boarded the plane two hours late.  That meant those with connecting flights might not arrive in time to make the connection.  We were two of those passengers.

We did arrive in time for us to run to the opposite wing of the airport.  However, the departure board informed us that our flight was cancelled.  No need to hurry.  We visited with a customer service rep only to be told there were no flights until the next day.  Since we were only three or so hours from home, we rented a car and drove the last one hundred miles.

Not only did that add expense to the trip, but it also meant that the car had to be returned to the airport the next day.  And our luggage picked up.  This seems to be a usual happening for our trips.

On the trip prior to this one we were seated at the correct gate waiting to board the plane.  We kept watching the board to be sure the plane was on time.  After one last look we saw that the gate had changed.  We literally took off running.  This time we had to take a bus across the airport to reach the proper gate.  Once inside we started running again.

We were thrilled to see the door to the plane was still open.  We raced to the counter and handed our tickets to the agent.  He looked at us and then motioned for two stand-by passengers to board the plane.  He then turned to us and said since we were not there at that gate fifteen minutes before boarding, he was letting the stand-bys on the plane.  We were stunned.  I mentioned that we had been at the proper gate and that there was no announcement that the gate had changed.  That we had continued to watch the board.  And as soon as we saw that it had changed, we took off for this gate.  He said we could not board.  We were furious.  There were two agents at that desk.  The other agent was shocked by his partner's actions.  After a few minutes I started to laugh at how absurd it was to keep us from boarding. He must have needed to exercise his power.  And he did.  So, we laughed at our situation and found a way home.

We had a couple of options.  Spend the night at the airport or rent a car and drive home. We opted to rent a car.  It was a mess as our luggage and car were in an airport over five hours away.

I remember how much fun flying used to be.  You got peanuts and coke and even a meal.  Granted the meal wasn't gormet, but it was food.  Once the flight attendant gave me place mats for all my students.  I also remember being given a deck of cards a couple of times.  Those were the good times.

Now, people carry on food and drink.  I even bought my own blanket as I was sure I would be charged for one on the plane.

It is still the fastest way to get across country.  Unless you are caught in a storm.  We spent four days in Denver once.  Better have a cash reserve on hand for unexpected happenings.  On that particular trip we took a plane, a bus, a train and a taxi before we finally reached our destination.  Makes for good stories!

On one trip I sat next to a man who was going to Boston for the ribbon cutting of his building.  He practiced meditation.  We talked all the way across country about meditation and the benefits.  He was very interesting.  Another time a young man showed all his ink.  He was excited to share what he had designed, and the next tattoos he was planning to get.  He was studying moths as a profession.  One man was selecting hymns for his church service.  During one delay I noticed a woman speaking to the agent at the desk.  The passenger was upset--crying.  After a bit the agent opened the door to the plane and left.  I saw the passenger wiping her tears with her sleeve.  I had tissues in my purse so I took some to her.  Simply handed them to her and walked back to my seat.  I could tell that she was very upset so I walked back over and asked if there was anything I could do for her.  She said that her mother had died the night before.  Suddenly.  She was trying to get home.  Her cell phone battery was almost dead, and her family was trying to get in touch with her.  They were at the funeral home and wanted to know what she thought about all those decisions that have to be made.  She needed the charger from her suitcase.  I stood with her until the agent returned with the charger.

Traveling by plane these days is almost always an adventure.  I board a plane expecting the unexpected realizing that the best laid plans will probably be changed by a coffee maker that isn't working.  That happened once--we waited an hour until a person came to repair it!

Happy traveling!