Monday, November 21, 2011

How to Miss Your Flight in Three Easy Steps

Remember that trip we took to Seattle in August? Well, it turns out that it wasn’t all fun and games. Nope. There were a few stressful moments.

Like when our tire blew out on the way to the hotel.

Or, when the taxi we’d arranged to pick us up arrived a half an hour early and we weren’t ready to leave for our flight.

Or when we scrambled to get to the airport at 5:00 in the morning only to find out our flight was canceled and we didn’t fly out until 10:30 instead of 6:30.

Or when our taxi didn’t show up at all to take us to the cruise port and we were stranded in Downtown Seattle with all of our luggage.

Or when we could not find a cab when we were stranded.

Or when I called a cab company and they sent a cab for one person and we have five. 

Or when we were so fed up with cabs after the cruise that we decided to walk from the airport to our hotel with our stuffed luggage and it was a wee bit further than we had anticipated. 

Ughh. I think you get the picture, don’t you?

All of those little events were a bit taxing- some more than others- but none of them were as tense as when we arrived at the airport kiosk, punched in our information and read that our flight had already departed. We had actually MISSED our flight home, back to Ohio. 

And you know what was more stressful than that realization? When I realized that MY HUSBAND realized that we had missed our flight AND that it was MY FAULT.

At this point, you may be wondering how one goes about actually missing a flight. Turns out, it doesn’t take much effort.  I’ll even tell you step-by-step what you need to know incase you ever decide that your family vacation just wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, and you need a bit more excitement thrown in.  Are you with me?

#1 Book your flight through your favorite carrier and whatever you do, DO NOT print a copy of your itinerary. 

#2  Glance through your departure times once and convince yourself that your brain is like the safe at Fort Knox and allows nothing to escape. Even if you’re the type of person that forgets where they placed their car keys five minutes after stepping inside the door.

#3  When you suddenly wake up from a sound sleep, the night before your flight, and you have a nagging feeling that you should double check your travel plans, ignore it and go back to sleep.  After all, what’s the worst that can happen? 

All kidding aside, I certainly never intended to purposely miss our flight. I was horrified when I realized that we were actually supposed to be landing at 9:30 a.m. in San Diego and NOT departing from Seattle at that same time! I nearly vomited.

Thankfully, United Airlines, was most understanding and accommodating. They even waived the fees that could have been up to $150 per person to make changes to our flight plans. I’m truly grateful to them. However, we were assured that if this ever happens again- we will be charged.

So, heed my warning and make sure you check and double check those flight times on your next vacation!

What is the most stressful moment you’ve ever experienced on a vacation?

6 comments:

  1. Oh Tonya... I am so sorry but I am laughing out loud right now!!  I know it was so NOT funny at the time, but oh wow what a memory!  Never a dull moment, is there? ... Sorry that we were not able to get together here in AL before you moved.   Glad that you are settled and happy though.   We probably won't get a snowflake this year... last year was a VERY unusual winter for us - the very first White Christmas I had ever seen and I am .... well... not *young*...  :-)  Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  2. It's okay, you can laugh. I do. Can't take life too seriously, now can we? I really, really wish we could have met up before we left Alabama. Good news though, my kids are hoping to go to the prom there again this year with some of their Southern friends. :) If we are able to make it I'll let you know and maybe we can meet afterall. My kids are praying for LOTS of snow this year. Of course, they plan to ski all winter. Me? I'd rather fly South! :)

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  3. Just think of the excitement you could have added to your Seattle trip if you had only read this sooner, Jenny! lol

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  4. That would be awesome!...  I hope the kids get all the snow they could ask for...  I wouldn't mind another white Christmas, but that would be plenty for me!   They predicted 1 - 3 inches last night, but we didn't see a flake.  Suits me just fine!  :-)

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  5. I did hear that you were supposed to have snow and couldn't believe that the snow would fly in Alabama before it did in Ohio! Well, we woke up with snow on the ground today. Not much, but enough to thrill my kids. :)

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  6. The Airport Taxis rates are very affordable. Seattle Airport Taxi Service
    has fix rates for the entire vehicle. You are not charged by the
    numbers of passengers or not by meter of the taxi it is obviously a good
    system.

    ReplyDelete

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