Gate Panic: My Chaotic Quest for a New Flight

It was a big day! I was on the way to Texas for my granddaughter’s third birthday. Making sure to get through security at the airport early I had plenty of time before my flight. As I approached my gate with water and snacks tucked away and my podcasts ready to play on the flight I received a text… Cancelled. My flight was cancelled.

Instant panic.

The line at my gate was long with other travelers trying to rebook and I jumped to another gate. There were no other flights out that day. In a daze I looked at the girl behind the counter and said as nice as I could, “But I have to get to Texas for my grandbaby’s birthday.” She kindly suggested I book with another airline. And I was off to find a ticket counter to book another flight.

In my hustle I received a text from my husband. It read, “Don’t worry about the cost, just get another flight.” This brought tears to my eyes and I felt like I had a comrade with me on my quest. My other comrade was my son who I called and told him my predicament. He too was “joining” me on my quest for a new flight and began looking up flights. One of his texts read, “Maybe they will give you a grandma discount?” In other words, he knew this flight would be way more than my original, and he also knew he didn’t want crying disappointed kids asking why Grandma didn’t make it. Kids under five don’t want to hear about adult problems!

I found a Delta counter and the agent was super nice and helpful. Delta wouldn’t be an option because their last flight to my destination was in twenty minutes but he told me to try American. Coming around the counter and pointing the nice agent said, “Go to that elevator and then take the shuttle.” In my panicked determination I felt like I was hearing another language. “What? Where? Can you please repeat that?” Once I was able to absorb the information I shook this kind man’s hand and said thank you.

In my search I came across a security agent watching an exit. I asked if that was the way I needed to go. He didn’t look at me and I repeated what I asked. He said, “Ma’am I can talk to you but I cannot look away from this door. Then a lady from the airport started yelling at me, “Don’t you see the sign! You shouldn’t be talking to him!” Oops. I didn’t see any sign, I needed to find a flight, and I was at a dead end, and needed to know if I should go through the doors in front of me. I apologized to the lady and moved on. I had no time for nonsense.

Finally, after a long shuttle ride and a long walk I found the American Airlines “counters.” I visited many “counters” before finding the one where I could purchase a ticket. I felt like, and probably looked like, a mad women. Look out! Grandma on a quest to get to her grandkids!

I got a middle seat on a flight and it cost me almost four times what my original flight cost. But I was happy to have a new flight and I would be getting there thirty minutes earlier. While at the boarding area I watched a young lady be turned away because the flight was full and after wishing her good luck found out she was on the same flight I was that had been cancelled. I felt very lucky.

Landing in Texas my heart was full. Gratefulness consumed me.

In the end my trip was worth every penny. Celebrating my granddaughter’s third birthday at Peppa Pig theme park, freezing at my ten-year-old grandson’s what should have been rained out football game (Texans don’t joke around when it comes to football!), dancing with the four-year-old, watching my son on a Sunday do “pastor stuff,” and being in awe seeing how my daughter-in-law holds it all together while killing it at her job too.

The trip was priceless. After finding out that the little ones cried because grandma went to their brother’s football game and Mom had to deal with a coup, I was so happy I did not give up on my quest to find a new flight. They will only be ten and four and three for a very short time and I want to take it all in.

In life we need to stop, pause, and take in all of God’s “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17).

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” -Proverbs 3-4

“And that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” -Ecclesiastes 3:13

 For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for regular encouragement.