Have you
ever heard the saying, “The best laid plans go awry?” The day my travel plans
took flight is a true example of this saying. I arrived at the airport two
hours prior to my departure time to ensure things would go smoothly.
My brother
was on the same flight with me, which was unplanned because he purchased his
ticket after I did. My young adult son was traveling with my mom on an entirely
different airline. We were on our way to a comedy competition that I needed to
be at by a certain time that evening.
I parked my
car in short term parking and moved quickly pulling my carry-on bag behind me. As
I strolled to the TSA line, I heard snippets of conversations around me, “My flight
got delayed.” “We just have to make the
best of it.”
While
standing in line I texted my brother, “Are you almost here, the line is moving
pretty quickly.”
“I’m about
20 minutes away.”
I slipped my
phone in my jean jacket pocket and prepared for disrobing – removing shoes, keys,
and jacket. After completing check-in and heading to my gate, my phone buzzed, it
was a text message from the airline saying, “Your flight has been delayed, your
new flight will leave at 12:30pm.” This was two hours after my original.
I texted my
brother and told him, no need to rush, our flight was delayed. Meanwhile, my
son and my mother were boarding their flight. With time on my hands, I set my Fitbit,
and off I went to track my steps.
As I rounded
the first corner my pace slowed because of what I spotted to my right…bright
lights, tall shelves, and table displays. Aah, paradise, it was a bookstore.
Since my travel plans had changed without my consent, I made the decision to
make the best of the situation. As long as the flight wouldn’t be delayed again,
I would still make it to the show on time.
Everything
was calm on my end, not so much for my son. He called me after they landed, “Ma,
what time are you getting here?”
“In about
two hours.”
“What do you
want me to do with Granny?”
“Go to a restaurant
for a while.”
“We tried
that nothings really open yet. And the guy pushing her in the wheelchair is
asking me where we are going. He needs the chair for another passenger.”
I said, “Buddy,
you’re going to have to troubleshoot, use your resources. I got you to 24 years
old, you’re going to have to spread your wings and fly.”
After he
finished laughing, he said, “I guess I’ll figure something out.”
And he did.
My
rescheduled flight departed on time, I connected with my family, checked in to our
hotel, then caught an Uber with comedian friends. We arrived at the show in
plenty of time to chat, snack, and relax (well, as much as my nerves would allow
before performing).
If there was
a moral to this story it would be, when your plans take flight, stay grounded
and remain calm.
What has
been your experience with plans that take flight?
