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The perfect ending....

6/6/2017

10 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
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​There are days we want to forget. Flying back from San Diego, CA to Springfield, MO shouldn’t have been one of those days, but it was. It was raining in Dallas, where I needed to connect to another flight. Though I didn’t think much about that fact, I soon learned that rain meant the airport gods were angry.

The AA flight from sunny San Diego departed on time, with only one straggler who managed to secure an Exit Row seat in front of me. His carry-on, much larger than permitted, had to be stored several rows behind him – near mine. As soon as we were airborne, he began his unrelenting appeal for the flight attendants to move his luggage near him. When they finally conceded an hour later and moved the luggage of other passengers to accommodate his, I asked to relocate to the back of the plane just to be away from this nonsense. 

Settling into my new seat, the woman next to me asked, “What did you do? Are they going to throw you off the plane?”

I laughed so hard, I could barely get my breath; but I now realize, it was the beginning of the end. Did I mention, it was raining in Dallas, an omen not to be ignored?

When the plane landed, people were pacing the hallways. I soon learned why - the flight to Springfield was canceled. We were told to get in line to reserve another flight. I did this. Two hours later, however, my new flight was also canceled. Again, I got in line, to find another seat on another flight. Finally at 9:30 pm, the third flight was canceled. There was no crew, and after all, it was still raining or at least sprinkling.

I got in another line to try to find a flight for the next day, only to be told that all seats to Springfield, MO were taken. Who knew this metropolis was a destination site? But, staff reassured me that there was a flight to Joplin, MO, and it had four empty seats. (Joplin is 1.5 hours from Springfield by car.) I leaped for joy. My husband could pick me up. I had a chance to escape my cement prison. (I will skip the hotel trauma drama.)

The next day, I went to the Joplin gate. Four delays later (no crew, mechanical issues), the flight finally landed in Joplin at 3:30 in the afternoon. Then the announcement from the cockpit:

“Sigh…just when we thought it could not get any worse, we have learned that the tire on the jet-bridge is flat.”

Passengers erupted in laughter. Yes, we needed to climb down the plane's stairs, and those who could not walk would be carried – somehow. But, now the gods were laughing with us, for it was the perfect ending to an otherwise imperfect travel saga and it was sunny outside!
​
The moral of this story is simple: be prepared for the unexpected, know whom to call for help and if you have a hammock and it’s raining in Dallas, bring it.
 

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10 Comments
john howell link
6/6/2017 14:25:20

Wow, Gwen. What an experience. So glad you kept your humor. I love that hammock.

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/6/2017 19:10:23

I love the hammock too... We have a camping store near us, so I'm going to see what they cost... ya never know when it might be useful! :)

Reply
Davy D link
6/7/2017 05:38:40

What an experience Gwen. It was the Gods giving you something to write about :)

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/7/2017 07:02:37

Ha Ha Ha! You are right, Davy - they gave me something to write about. Thank you for the visit...always appreciated.

Reply
John Fioravanti
6/7/2017 08:02:55

Great post, Gwen! I absolutely hate travel days and airports, so I would have been a basket case enduring that comedy of errors. Bravo for keeping your sense of humor!

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/7/2017 09:39:18

This particular trip tested my patience like none other. My saving grace was between cancellation #2 and #3 - I ordered a hamburger and a glass of wine and created a magical interior world that did not include DFW. My waiter was very understanding; he offered a second glass of wine, after I downed the first in minutes (or was it seconds). LOL!! If only others had followed my lead, they would have been much happier. :)

Reply
Jan Sikes link
6/7/2017 08:10:49

Oh my goodness, Gwen! You should have contacted me. I could have come and rescued you from the cement prison of the DFW airport! Next time!! Glad you finally made it home.

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/7/2017 09:43:29

Thanks so much, Jan. If you are ever in my area, just know I'd do the same for you. I learned a lot from this trip, I'll be prepared if there is ever a "next time"... LOL!!

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/8/2017 03:18:41

Wow... What an experience, that made a great tale! Traveling can be stressful enough without that added "extras". Glad you made it home safely, with your humor intact. That hammock is a great idea and might need to be added to my carry on next time I fly...

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2017 17:47:53

Thank you, D.L. I know you are traveling soon, enjoy your trip and may every day be perfect! ♥

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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