Christmas Travel Adventures

So, I had a flight booked for Friday December 19th at 5pm. Impending snowstorm led me to take the advice of lots of people and go to the airport at 4am to try to fly standby. 63 people with the same idea got there before I did. At one point I was as high as #22. Then all the other flights were cancelled except the flight I was originally booked on, so I held out hope. Plane came in, they were cleaning it and then we'd load. If you want to gate check some carry-ons please do that now... still very hopeful, I could smell the Tex-mex food I would be eating for dinner... then "all flights are cancelled" was my reality.

My luggage flew standby to Dallas at 6am so at least I didnt' have to hassle with my giant suitcase on the subway and bus on my way home. I didn't have my snow boots on, just my slip on shoes, because I had expected to leave Boston before the snow came.

Was rebooked for same flight on Sunday, right in time for the next snowstorm to blow through, though promise was not to be as bad. Called Saturday to see what my chances were of getting out early... none, plus I decided to let everyone else sit in the airport again for 12 hours while I stayed home and watched movies. Sunday morning at 10:30 I got an automated message from American Airlines that my flight was again cancelled. So now I'm booked for an East coast adventure on another airline from Boston-Charlotte-Philly-Dallas on Monday. Snow should be gone so I'm cautiously hopeful!

But really, what could I have done differently? Try to fly out on an earlier day? Nope! We had a team of students here and we ended our time together Thursday night with Jars of Clay/Sara Groves Christmas concert.... I couldn't cancel that because I had to get the team to the concert. A good concert it was!

Most people at the airport and the personnel were patient and kind. I did see two college-age people almost come unglued when they arrived after their gates were closed, but the agents were wise and spared all of us from the impending meltdowns by putting them on the planes anyway -- jump seats, toilets, I don't know where they put them, but they were wise to do so. Later, another lady was trying to carry on 4 small suitcases, and after a small meltdown, the personnel just grabbed her luggage and gate checked it anyway. Wisdom on their part again.

I know I couldn't work in an airport for more than a day, I'd surely get fired for yelling back at passengers.

So, this will indeed be a memorable Christmas. Hopefully I'll be dining on TexMex food Monday, or Tuesday for lunch.

After all, Jesus' wasn't born under ideal conditions and created a travel interruption with his own birth, so why should I expect my Christmas to be any different?

Matthew 1:21 and they shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.

Merry Christmas!