Flexibility: The Joy of Flying

The phone rang last evening about 9pm as we were watching a movie during the final stages of packing in preparation for heading off to Houston. Our flight was canceled.

And so it began. What to do? Bag the trip? But we really wanted to go.

So I called Southwest since the online website was of no help. I heard the recording that there was between a one and one-and-a-half hour wait to speak to a representative. In for a penny, in for a pound I thought as I put the phone on speaker and settled down for the long haul.

Surprisingly, after about 10 minutes I was able to talk to someone who was most helpful in rebooking us. Except that we would have to fly out of Dulles--an hour drive away and a 0725am flight all meaning about a 0415am departure. You do the math. Ugh.

But here I am sitting on my flight to Chicago to connect to a flight for Houston. All by 0800am.

The sun is shining up here at 35000 feet and the ride is smooth. And we are on our way.

Flexibility. The ability to overcome, change plans, and turn lemons into lemonade. That never say die attitude has worked for me a lot. Even when I play racquetball and am losing 14-1 I never quit. I only need one point at a time. Today we only need one flight at a time.

So despite my initial thought of just canceling, we are on our way. Whether all of the crazy connections we try to pull off will work still remains to be seen. But at least we are still in the game and not sulking on the sidelines.

It's 4th down and 99 yards to go for the win with only seconds left on the clock. Put me in coach-we can do it!

See you in Houston for wine this afternoon!


Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry