My flight delay went from 20 minutes to not a number. Everyone at the gate was freaking out and the agents finally said they could no longer help at the gate. I, along with everyone else, raced to the services counter before the lady even finished the sentence “but someone may be able to help you at the serv….”. The line was long, about thirty angry people, and I was still desperate to make my connection to DC at 6 PM. My mom and I figured that the latest I could fly out of here to make that would be around 9:30 AM and it was 9:05. The line was moving so slowly that I knew I was flying solo today with the possibility of a night alone in DC. The flight I was on was now leaving at 4 PM with no more flights to Rome until tomorrow night. My dad called United and they told him they couldn’t do anything. Standing in line, my back started hurting and I felt nauseated—again, I am not the best flyer and I am still running on 4 hours of sleep, a banana, and a single shot mocha. The line was ridiculously long and slow. I think I waited for almost two hours. During that time, I was on the phone with my mom and United. I was determined to get another flight out but they were all overbooked or timed just imperfectly. The people in front of me in line had similar problems and were missing their international connections. Finally at the front, I was able to listen to how everyone was dealing with the agents. There was a woman who was very determined to get to Geneva with her kids and slightly rude to the agent. I understood why but the agent was going to have none of it. She basically waited in line for nothing because I think she is going to remain on the same flight anyway. Finally it was my turn. I was nervous because I got the same agent that was just challenged by grumpy lady. But I was also thankful for the Tylenol and water, by backache was almost gone. I told the agent that I understood I was not going to make DC, however, I needed to get to Rome as soon as possible. She said if I could book another fare that she would be able to change the tickets, cautioning that it was nearly impossible. Armed with phone numbers from her and a few flights I looked up in line, I started calling. No airline could get me there by 1 PM (the deadline) but Lufthansa could get me there by 2—infinitely better than staying over in DC and arriving in Rome two or three days from now. I booked the flight and went back to the agent. She told me I had achieved something very special and to compliment my parents. This woman turned out to be so incredibly helpful and kind, it made my day. There was a minor setback when her computer ceased to function and I was sent to another counter with a grumpy agent who was actually quite mean. He said he was going to report Graciela (the agent lady) because she didn’t follow protocol. I told him she was extremely helpful and am going to call United to clear that issue up. I am finally in possession of my ticket and waiting at the gate for an agent to come so that I can check in for this flight.
I am so grateful for the internet (thanks CEL), my parents, my phone, and my computer. I could not have figured out these flights so fast without them!
I am exhausted, hungry and feeling the effects of extreme stress. I know I will break out in a couple days from all of this. I remember just a few hours ago on the phone when my mom said, “Honey, these things happen for a reason even if you don’t see it now”. I grumpily replied, “I know everything happens for a reason. But I just don’t see or even care to see one right now”. I regret those words. Mom is always right, and look, she strikes again. This experience taught me that I am stronger than I thought I was and that I can survive almost anything. I also realized that, in the scheme of things, missing a flight isn’t really a big deal. No matter what I was going to get to Rome for the experience of a lifetime. I just couldn’t appreciate that in that moment. But, most importantly, God showed me that He has a plan and he smacked me in the face with immense love, care, and support from my parents. Even though they were already home and probably trying to catch up on the sleep that none of us got last night, they stayed up waiting by the phone, made calls for me, and calmed me down when I was freaking out. So, I am humbled, grateful, and loved. I can’t ask for more in this life.
Breathless, Better Than Ezra (also covered by Taylor Swift): “When you feel the world is crashing/ All around your feet/ Come running headlong into my arms/ Breathless/ I'll never judge you/ I can only love you/ Come now running headlong/ Into my arms/ Breathless”.
**Update: Well when I thought it was over.. I was waiting for someone to come to the gate so I could check in and make sure everything was perfect. No one came so I waited and finally asked a woman who was working with someone else. She was extremely nice and told me that the documents in my possession were not tickets. The second guy really screwed up. I had to leave security and go outside to ticketing. I was freaked out because both the security and ticketing lines were very long. So I begged ("I have been here since 6, switched flights, missed my flight to DC...") a woman working first-class ticketing to help me and, thankfully, she did. I finally got my ticket after about a half hour outside security. I ran back and security went smoothly. Since I was no longer making any assumptions whatsoever, I asked the agent at the gate if my boarding pass was correct. I heard the best words, ever, "Yes, everything looks good." I can almost say that I am sitting here, 10 minutes before boarding, relieved. But I'm not quite ready to let my guard down. I am looking forward to this flight though-- I get to go to Germany!! So, in summary, more lessons learned today. People are extremely nice, helpful and competent (mostly) if you just ask for help and nothing is quite the end of the world. Oh yeah, and I'm still stuck on that whole "I'm stronger than I thought I was" thing. :]
"Pair of boots and a sac of clothes/ Free and easy down the road I go/ Someday I know it will take me home" --Dierks Bentley "Free and Easy Down the Road I Go".
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