Monday Musings – What do you do when your travel plans take flight?

 

Ladies of Laughter Competition - A mother daughter moment

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?