How I Missed My Flight Twice... and Won a Flight to Italy!

Most plans fall apart with alarming regularity... like that time my suitcase zipper broke on the exact day I learned that my (ex) boyfriend hates to look for seashells and will only walk along the beach wearing combat boots. We were in Chicago at the time and it was so very inconvenient for both of these things to happen on the same day. Of course, that's another story for another blog...

A Roller Coaster Story of Epic Proportions

This story is about a rare bottle of wine, airport security, awkward, frantic conversations, problem solving, stressful airport lines, missed flightshow things can go horribly wrong and horribly right, all at the same time, even when it's super, super uncomfortable....

Life rarely goes according to plan. Most plans fall apart, like the time my suitcase zipper broke while on a work/getaway vacation with my ex. Of course, that's another story entirely...

at the seams, just when you thought you had everything planned out. True story, my suitcase zipper once

Life rarely goes according to plan, even the most detailed, organized plans with plan if you must... and understand your plan may fall apart, no matter how detailed you make it. TMessy mistakes sometimes make the best stories... So, enjoy the journey as much as the destination, if not more. This is a story of messy mistakes, almost tears, perseverance, badass solutions, trusting your gut, and being in the right place at the right time.

I Blame It on the Wine

Okay, I know it's not actually the wine bottle's fault, but it's kind of catchy, right? See, this bottle was full of magic and memories! Poem magic and memories of performing poetry, laughing, and telling stories with poet friends.

So, I just had to take home this bottle of Hometown Heroes Peach Chardonnay wine from the CLE Urban Winery. I mean, I just couldn't resist. A perfect souvenir! Fast forward to the next morning. I dropped my car at the rental place in Detroit the night before, got 8 hours of restful sleep, woke up early, had time for 2 cups of coffee, the airport shuttle arrived at the hotel early and I was on my way home. Or so I thought...

So you see, this bottle of wine was the perfect souvenir to bring home with me. Each sip recalling a cherished memory. Sure, I could have opened it that night, but I decided to savor it until I could enjoy back home at my condo in Kansas City.

I confess, I should have been home 2 days earlier. You see, I was saying good-bye to my friend in Cleveland, got stuck in stop-and-go traffic, and missed my flight out of Detroit 2 days earlier. Normally, this would have been a minor irritation, however, the super duper cheap airline only had 2 flights a day to Kansas City, and all the flights due to the traffic from Cleveland to Detroit. Normally I would have just booked a later flight. Except that the cheap airline I was flying on

Any other airline and I could have just caught another flight. Unfortunately, I was flying for the first time on one of those extra cheap airlines that likes to charge for every little thing, and has limited flights from Detroit to Kansas City.

I was enamored with Miss Peach the moment her lips touched mine.

Peachy reminded me of so many fond memories of sharing poetry, meeting new Cleveland poet friends, connection, laughter and the beginning of many poetry tour adventures. So much so, I returned to perform again in May, 2019. Excited to share Peachy with loved ones, I purchased a bottle to share with family back home in KC.

GOODBYE PEACHY!

Alas, my dreams of enjoying Peachy back home were not to be... I forgot that bottles of wine actually need to be checked. It's been 25 years since I brought home wine on a plane! Enticed by the idea I could have it all, and with airport security assuring me I had plenty of time to check my bag and go back through security

Overcome with the idea I could have it all and with encouragement and validation from security, I thought I could check my bag, go back through security and make my flight. Well, I was wrong. Sometimes, very unfortunate things happen when we don't leave enough time for the unexpected... or when we forget to read airline rules regarding wine. LOL! Though, it has been 25 years since I tried to bring wine home on a plane.

Hurried over to the check-in counter, stuffed Peachy in my suitcase wrapped her in soft clothes and waited in line. Anxiety started to consume me and I realized I would have to abandon the wine as the plane was boarding soon. Raced through security, or at least tried to. It appears my "Naked Toes" books, shampoo and facial wash were now a matter of airport security! Missed my flight by 2 minutes! I'm not going to lie - I was devastated. My cousin's graduation party was later that day and I had hoped to be there.

Refusing to spend the night in the airport (no Spirit flights until morning), I put on my "big girl shoes" and started making some calls. Thirty minutes later I was booked on a United Airlines flight with a connection in D.C.

Sounds easy-peasy right? Not so fast... My seat was double-booked (luckily there was an extra seat on the plane. Landed in D.C. on time, quickly made my way up the escalator, down the escalator, to the train, then up another escalator to Concourse A, only to be told my flight's gate had moved back to Concourse C.

Arrived at the gate with time to spare, intent on receiving a seat assignment. A full flight intended for Kansas City, right in the heart of horrendous thunderstorms and high winds. Due to the plane's weight limit, 14 passengers were asked to take a different flight in exchange for a $500 travel voucher. Since I was already arriving home much later that expected, I figured, "why no?" Turns out the voucher was upgraded to $1000 while they were trying to change my ticket. Italia, here I come!!!

Lessons Learned

1. Attitude Is Everything. Before giving up and accepting your fate, try some creative problem solving.

2. Give Yourself Extra Time When Traveling.

3. Wine Must Be Checked. Always remember this.

4. Imperfection and Mistakes Sometimes Make The Best Stories.

5. Be Kind to Yourself. Always. Even when you miss your flight.

6. Visualize Success! Shout it from the trees! Or at least let the Universe know what you want and believe it will happen.

7. Enjoy the Ride

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