Airline Travel.....Yuck

I used to love to get on an airplane. The excitement of my upcoming vacation always started with the airport and the plane ride. Well, not anymore. It is now more like, my headache starts the moment I head out the door to the airport, I take two advil, drink plenty of coffee, I need energy to get through all the hassles at the airport, and I tell my children, "now be patient. Mommy normally is calm, cool and collected, and takes the best out of every situation. But the airport is the one place that mommy has not been able to control her emotions and frustrations."
Before I go on, I must tell you I am not a business traveler, I am a pleasure traveler. I do not fly first class, or upgrade my seat ever. Maybe the rich and famous have a different perspective. Me, the low man on the totem pole traveler, economy class, feels as if I am a slave to the airlines and all their crap they throw at me the minute I walk through the airport door. I almost feel as if I have walked into a snowball fight, only I wasn't aware I was in a snow war as I am getting pinged with snowballs at my face the minute I enter the "TERMINAL!"
Let me start with my opinion of the worst airline and the best. United is by far the rudest, most unaccomodating, and least service friendly airline around. I bite my tongue so hard while dealing with anyone from this airline that I am surprised I even have a tongue left. I will get to them in a moment. By far the best airline, with amazing customer service, and friendly staff is Southwest. It just doesn't get any better than Southwest. They care about the little guy and it shows.
On my way back from my grandmother's funeral on Sunday I decided I was going to enter O'hare International Airport TERMINAL with a smile on my face and expecting the best. I was immediately approached by a very crabby woman whom I can only describe as Cinderalla's step-mother. I looked around to make sure I wasn't in Disneyland. Nope, sure enough it was just what I thought, another United employee in blue. I had to change my flight due to my grandmother's untimely death. I guess when you have to change a flight you are put on some sort of list that will not allow you to check in online. I explained nicely to this woman that I needed to talk to an AGENT. Why are they called agents? Anyway, she made me go into an entire explanation of why I could not check in online. So I gave her the whole story.
"Miss, yes, my grandmother was ninety five years old, She lived a wonderful life. Well she got sick, and the infection got in her blood, so she slowly died in a hospital bed for one week. I was already coming to Chicago for two book signings, and I was hoping she was going to hang on so I could say good-bye to her before she left this world. But she didn't hang on. So I didn't get to say good-bye to my grandmother who was like a mother to me. Instead I had to fly into Chicago two days earlier than I was expected so I could make her wake, and had to stay a day later for a family get together to remember my grandmother since she touched so many family members. And yes, ummm, it has already cost me $250 to change my plane ticket because I had to change it within seven days of depature, there is also a fee to even change to the ticket at anytime. I guess my $250 wasn't enough punishment, so they took away my ability to check in online, so now I needed to get to the TERMINAL even earlier than the hour and a half you want me here anyways, because I need to speak to an AGENT. So, did you need any more information or am I free to speak to the AGENT?"
Of course, the line behind me was huge and was rounding the corner in the TERMINAL. Finally, I was allowed to pass through to see the AGENT. I was hoping that my next AGENT would be kind, and just get me to my next pleasurable stop, SECURITY! Oh, but no, of course not. I had to give my speech again of why I was flying out a day later and came two days early. I tried to continue to say thank you so much for your help, it is so kind of you to help me (even though it is your job), and could you please get me a seat on your airplane since I was not assigned one because I am the low man on the totem pole, my grandmother's death pushed me down to the depths of the abyss in airline travel passengers.
After 22 minutes, I was assigned a seat. Then I was informed my bag weighed 53 pounds. The one bag I had cost me $15 to bring it on the plane anyways, and if I didn't remove three pounds it would cost me $125! Can you believe it? How do they get away with this? Here I am rummaging through my bag to remove three pounds. Here is what I removed: hairspray, a hair dryer, running shoes, and a curling iron. You will not believe this but I was still a half a pound over the limit. I pulled out my book, Can There Be More?, I gave it to the AGENT. This is what I said, "I want you to read my book. I want you to really read my book, and I want you to enjoy your job, your life, and realize how many people a day you come into contact with and the ability you have to either make those people that you encounter have a great day or you have the control and the power to send them off on their way angry, sad, and with their head down. You might not think you can make a difference being an AGENT, maybe you are even jealous, of all these people traveling on vacation, but sir, I am not on vacation, I just buried my grandmother whom I loved dearly, and am sad. Now, your rudeness made me sadder. Maybe, had you just been nice you could have brought a smile to my face, and that would have felt good for me, and even better for you."
I believe with my whole heart that people in service industries don't realize how they affect someone's day. I love making people smile and bettering their day. It is absurd to me that anyone could treat a total stranger with disregard, no respect, and like a piece of gum on the bottom of their shoe. If you are that miserable get a new job! I am serious.
Finally, I was off and on my way to security. My $25 bottle of hairspray was confiscated, it was an aerosol spray. I said take it, fine. My curling iron, running shoes, and blow dryer made it through. After I put my boots back on, my belt, my watch, my necklace, I told the security man to give the hair spray to his girlfriend, she will love it.
I was on my way to my gate. I bought some magazines, a book, and waited to board. I was in seating 2. I handed the woman my boarding pass, she didn't say a word to me. After she handed it back to me I said, "thank you so much for your help and I hope you have a nice day." She smiled! She said, "why, thank you!" You would have thought I told her she just won the lotto. What the heck?
I boarded the plane. The flight attendants didn't smile, but I smiled back. I landed in San Francisco and told Mark "we are stopping and having a margarita." I did have one, I came home and relived the experience in my thoughts once again.
People truly don't realize what their attitudes can do to others. They don't realize how every person has a duty in life to be kind and treat others with respect. I teach my children this, and I have learned that kindness is truly the greatest gift you can give another. Take the time and be kind to someone today, you never know how badly they need your kind word or smile.
Take Care!
Heather