On being flexible when traveling

My family tries to get the most traveling for our dollars. This often means that we use our frequent miler status to re-work our trips to our advantage. It may be that we can re-route so that we get more miles credited or on a flight with a better chance of being upgraded to the premier cabin.

A true joy is when we can meet up with friends or family "on the fly", so to speak. My sister mentioned that she was flying into Chicago on Sunday night to begin her work week. At first I thought of meeting her for a quick meal in the airport. Then I started thinking that maybe I could delay my return trip home and I could spend the night with her. I wouldn't mind sleeping on her home-away-from-home pull-out couch. I've been able to see her three times in the last month, but I can never get enough sister time.

The staff at the service counter were able to get my flights arranged. There were a few hours before my sister's plane would land. I needed to recharge my devices, so I found a place to plug them in, set them in airplane mode so they would charge faster and pulled out my knitting. I got up to stretch after a while. The backless stool was not the most comfortable, so I decided to relocate. Turned on my phone and saw that my sister had texted that her flight was canceled due to weather.

I was disappointed that I wouldn't see my sister, but then it struck me that I didn't have a place to stay, so I checked on my original flight and it was about to board. Luckily it was only a few gates away. Another accommodating agent was able to change ticket again. I had lost my prime aisle seat for an inside seat, but the flight wasn't that long. I pulled out my iPad and knitting and settled in.

When we boarded, there was no thought of snow hitting us. As the plane filled, snow flakes began to accumulate on the windows. I got quite a lot of knitting done as the de-icing crews were called out.

While up in the air, I was able to get on the wifi and open the airline app. It was flashing at me, alerting me that they had rescheduled my connecting flight, for 24 hours later! Yuck. As the flight progressed, I monitored the time and gates. I was encouraged by sweet seat mates. I would be able to make it.

And then as we were approaching Newark, I looked out the window at the lights below. I felt the plane nose up and accelerate. The pilot came on and said the the computer codes for the "spoilers" didn't read what they should and they would have to fly around and go through a "checklist". After a while, he announced we would land. This time, it all seemed to go smoothly. As we slowed at the end of the runway, there was a battalion of flashing emergency vehicles on each side of us. The pilot quickly announced that all was well. The emergency crews weren't needed. He then explained that part of the calculations done was to analyze the length of the runway to make sure we could stop if the spoilers didn't work.

That was good news. Meanwhile my ground crew, my husband and son, on their computers back at home were following my progress and plotting my course. The connecting flight was delayed 20 minutes "awaiting incoming flight crew". I pushed my way to the front of the cabin to be one of the first out.

The terminal was deserted. I wasn't far from the connecting gate, but there was no one there. Scanning the area, I realized that there was a staff person off to the side sitting. She jumped up and opened the door to check if the plane was still there. It was.

I felt like the Queen or a CIA agent, they greeted me by name, ushered me to the the stairs and onto the awaiting plan where a row of seats were cleared.

They were waiting for me.

I was on the right side of the plane so I couldn't see if my bags made it, but I really didn't care. I made it. My ground crew announced that they were signing off and going to bed.

I was disappointed, but not surprised, that my bags weren't on the belt. As I walked back to the desk, I caught the attention of an agent. She said, "You must be the late arrival." She had monitored it all on the computer. "They aren't supposed to do it, but..." The first two flights the next day were already canceled. Bad weather was due. Who knows when I could have gotten out, if they hadn't held the flight for me.

I completed the lost bag report and was leaving the airport parking lot at midnight. I stopped for something to eat at a 24 hour grocery store and got on the highway headed for home.

At 1:30 a.m., snow flurries were starting to fill the air as I drove into town.

P.S. I still don't have my bag.