We recently took a trip cross country to see family — we had a lovely, lovely visit — on American Airlines. Interestingly enough, we did not fly a single flight that we had booked and all of the seats were, of course, different. Granted, we might have taken the first flight (which was delayed) but we would have arrived later than the flight we rebooked to.
Sometimes you just hafta go with the flow.
On the way out: the first flight to Los Angeles was delayed, which would have caused us to miss the connecting flight. There was a second connecting flight, but it was full, likely we would not have been on it, though likely our luggage would be (it was irretrievable and would make its way without us.) We could have made the third flight and arrived at 9:30 at night. So we rebooked through Dallas and arrived at 7:30 within minutes of our baggage arriving on the second flight that we would not have been able to get on. That was serendipitous.
We were in the far back of the planes for these flights, but the flights were smooth, so it didn’t matter. I stood for a time because the middle seat was too middle, if you know what I mean. S.Q.U.I.S.H.E.D. But I got there!
On the way back: our flight was canceled. Of course, we did not know this getting to the airport really early. The good thing was that we were about 6th in line for canceled flights. It was a very slow line. In the meantime one of our cell phone rings and an automated message tells us that we are rebooked the next day on a flight 2 hours earlier. Hello! What if we had checked out of a hotel? What if there was then no more room in the inn? (Meds were a problem for my dh.) And interestingly this earlier flight and our flight were both canceled going to Dallas, so what were the odds it would work the next day?
The young woman at the desk was competent and frazzled. The woman next to her was also competent and very kind. I complimented her on her demeanor. First the woman we were working with booked us through Chicago, which dh was having none of because of possible weather issues. We would have arrived at the home airport at 11:30 at night, assuming the connecting flight got out of Chicago. She got special permission for us to be on it. Then she had to cancel it, after she ended up booking us through Los Angeles, again with special permission, on a flight that left in minutes, then two stops and home at 9:30 (which turned out to be 10:30 with delays.)
If we had been any later getting to the airport or any farther back in the line, we would not have been able to make that flight. There were at least 200 people behind us in line. If we had been later or tried to check in at the curb, we would not have made the flight she was able to book us on.
As I said to her, they must put their best people on the desks. She was dealing with a lot of unhappy folks and did it with elan. She said she had been there since 4 am without a break.
Never mind that dh says he will never, ever fly American Airlines again. And was not. a. happy. camper.
I found a lot on the trip back that made me happy. Compatible people to talk with. Lots of interesting people watching. An art exhibit in one of the airport pathways. Taking a shuttle to the main terminal that crossed the tarmac — a birds eye view of planes taking off and landing, way cool. Sees candy! One of the airports had beautiful inlays in the floors, something more to look at.
A friend told me today that I saw this because I’m an optimist. I don’t know about that, but I had to do something to trust in the serendipities of the moment.
Just before our flight out of Los Angeles, there was a group of young kids, from about age 2 to age 4, simply adorable. The lone boy was dressed in a bright red Santa outfit. The girls were all in white, except for their Santa hats. White velvet coats; white tights with ‘fur’ trim; white shoes. They sang and danced to Christmas music, both in English and in Spanish. (They were Spanish speaking.) I tell you, it was a precious moment. Travelers were enthralled, using their digital cameras or cameras in their cell phones to capture the spirit. Smiles all around.
I wonder how they were allowed out to the gate?
Never mind, it was a gift from heaven. And if I’d been in Dallas as planned, I would have missed it. I wouldn’t even have known it either!
It’s kind of funny, really, that when we were booked through LA, we went through Dallas, and when we were booked through Dallas, we went through LA.
It took us 18 hours to get home, but we are home. We had a good trip. I was very glad I wasn’t getting on a plane to head out somewhere again. That would have been too much. But I have flown 15 hours on a flight to and from China. It is doable, especially when the end goal is in sight. Give me a few days and I could do it again, especially if it were somewhere I wanted to go or someone I wanted to see.
Take happiness in the moments. Don’t overdo during this time of year. I have yet to finish cards or even get all the gifts out. I hope I can, but I’m not going to make myself crazy. I have to go with the flow.
Karin
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