What can I do?

Flight delays

My 8:25pm flight from New Jersey to St. Louis was delayed to 8:55pm. No big deal. My wife was out of town so my high school son was home alone, but he was fine. Instead of having him pick me up from the airport I’ll just take a Lyft home. It’s annoying, but for someone who spends a lot of time on the road and in airports, this is just part of it.

Then, 8:55 turns into 10:15, and then 10:55. Ugh. They just keep delaying the flight. The weather in the area is bad. People are getting frustrated. Do I change my flight and head to a hotel? No. I’ll ride it out. We’re not the only flight delayed. There’s a group of people waiting to go to Atlanta. On the other side is a group of people delayed to Nashville.

The line at the gate desk is getting long. Connections are being missed. I recognize a couple who was on my flight to New Jersey a few days ago. They have a special needs son who is having a bit of a breakdown. My heart goes out to them. I remember being the dad in the airport with young children, stuck, and unable to help them understand why we have to wait. Again, my situation is discouraging, but not a real problem. 

What can I do?

I can stay calm. I know energy is contagious. Just like body language is contagious, so is the energy I am putting into the atmosphere. I decide to close my eyes and mentally wrap the terminal in love. I think about all of the people in this shared space, having a shared experience, and I extend love and compassion to each of them in my thoughts. I mentally declare that all of their needs are being met, regardless of the unfolding events none of us can control. I choose to stay calm and compassionate regardless of what happens.

My 10:55 delay gets pushed to 12:30. The Atlanta flight next to us finally boards. But after being on the plane for 10 minutes the flight crew decides they don’t want to fly, and everyone is forced to deplane. Two young girls sit next to me and all they can do is laugh with exasperation. They have been in the airport since 10am. It’s now 11:30pm. They’re trying to get to Florida for Spring Break. Not a great start.

People are unhappy, but the mood is civil. The gate worker for the airline gets everyone’s attention, “I know everyone is frustrated. We’re doing our best to get everyone out tonight. I’ll keep you posted.” This poor guy. He’s been absorbing the brunt of everyone’s frustration, but what does he control? He chooses to stay upbeat and positive. 

Fifteen minutes later the gate worker announces, “Atlanta! We’ve got you another flight crew!” The whole terminal erupts with applause. Then he goes on, “St. Louis, your flight is landing now and we’ll be boarding soon. Nashville, we’re trying to get you out.”

In an environment filled with desperation there was a palpable sense of community and well-wishing for one another.

The St. Louis and Nashville flights cheered when Atlanta re-boarded their plane. 1:15am, I board my plane. People are patient and kind. The crew is empathic and gracious. Everyone has a mutual understanding that much of what happened is outside of everyone’s control. We all decided to be kind.

I get home at 4:45am. My son is asleep, and I get the best K-9 face lick a guy could ask for. It’s all I needed. I am grateful to be home.

What can I do?

-Travis