Holiday Travel Tip: Flying Is Hellish, But Has A Positive Side, Too

My sister Susan and I flew back to Denver this past Thursday, and it didn't go smoothly. We were in line to board our airplane at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) when we were told to return to our seats due to a maintenance issue on the aircraft. Evidently one of the restrooms had a clogged toilet. When that problem was resolved, we boarded the plane but had to wait on the runway due to traffic issues. When we finally took off, we made up time until we approached Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), which we circled for what seemed like hours due to still another traffic issue. And of course, by the time we got off the plane, our connecting flight had departed.

And so, we wound up in the line for customer assistance, as seen in the photograph on the right. The line was long, but when the staff noticed that my sister was using a walker, they called us to the front of the line and quickly gave us new tickets on the 9:15 P.M. flight to Denver, which was very thoughtful. Unfortunately, once we got to the gate listed on the ticket, we learned the correct gate was on the opposite side of the terminal, but we made it there in plenty of time. The gate people were very friendly and helpful and got us on the plane right away. But then we had to deplane due to Denver International Airport (DIA) being closed due to dangerously high winds.  While waiting for DIA to reopen, I opened a bottle of coke and it exploded all over me, and some of the other waiting passengers rushed over with napkins to help me clean up the mess.  When we finally got to Denver around 12:30 A.M., I was pretty beat, and unfortunately forgot to put Susan's suitcase in the Uber, necessitating a return trip to DIA at 1:15 A.M. The suitcase was not there when I returned, but the people at the airport were more than helpful, trying to find out if someone had found it. It couldn't be located, and the best they could offer was to try Lost and Found when it opened in the morning. When I got home, I told Susan that someone probably just took it, and that was that. Susan replied that most people are decent and well-meaning and was positive the suitcase would turn up. And in the morning, when I called Lost and Found, it turns out that they did indeed have it. And so now I have to totally rethink my cynical attitude. Perhaps most people in this world really are good. A valuable lesson through travel.