My father used to tell me often that "you catch more flies with honey then with vinegar"...probably because I was always quick to anger and never shied away from saying exactly what I thought, but I never put much thought into it until faced with a pissed off check-in agent on what I hoped will be my perfect anniversary trip with my husband.
I must have been just as angry as the check-in agent because the same man that upset her was the man that just cut infront of me in line and spoke loud enough to hear how rude and ignorant he was, but I must have been more determined to not ruin my trip before it begins because what I did surprised even my husband. I approached the agent with a smile on my face, said good morning and apologised for having to deal with such a rude person and added "I sincerely hope the remainder of your shift will be the complete opposite". She stopped and looked up at me, she must have been at least twice my age (not that it mattered) and she smiled back....she even thanked me....I never thought more about how what we do can affect the outcome of our experience. We got checked-in and pointed in the right direction very quickly and strolled through the security checks with a smile still on our faces.
Our next hiccup came at the check in gate when I pointed out to my husband that the crew was boarding..which meant that we will be boarding soon...about 5 minutes later my husband asked me "and what means when the crew leaves the plane?" I started laughing until I looked up from my book and noticed he was not joking. Before I could answer the agent at the boarding desk told us we will actually be leaving with the plane parked at the gate next to us and boarding will start about 5 minutes late. All the luggage from the first plane hat to be transferred to the second plane in a hurry. I looked at our carry-ons and smiled.
The flight from Toronto to Miami was uneventful (other then the turbulence that seemed to last the entire flight).
When we landed in Miami we were advised by the pilot that our plane changed gates and we now had to make our way all across the airport to a satellite building to get to our flight to Costa Rica...did I mention we had a 1 hour connection? it was hard to not let the panic set in because I knew the Miami airport was huge and I never been in it before, but as soon as I stepped in it and asked the first agent for directions she reassured me we will be there in less then 5 minute....and she was right. The signs with directions were everywhere and the train that takes passengers to the satellite building runs every minute, but when I got to the gate there was no boarding line and just people seated and waiting.
I have to admit my first thought was we missed the plane, and when I approached the boarding agent was told to sit and wait for the announcement. Well we did not miss the plane but the announcement was not encouraging, maintenance was on-board.
After a few more of the same announcement we were boarded in a plane that took a few more minutes to cool off (no air-conditioning when maintenance was on-board), but we were on board and just when I thought this is it....the pilot advised us that an oil leek was discovered when the pre-flight checks where done and they where in communication with Head Office requesting permission to proceed.
This is probably the point where you want to crawl under a rock and give up...right? Well this is where one flight attendant made a huge difference. He started strolling up and down the aisle saying Hi to people and asking them random questions (where are you from?...what is you final destination?...) this when on until he made it to the first kid and asked him if he wants to see a magic trick (what kid would say no to that...) he made his way from first class all the way to the back of the plane repeating the same trick. Ok, nice , but then he when back to the first class and started a new trick....by the second or third trick even the adults were more interested in how he did the trick then what the captain was saying.
Our attention was so concentrated on the entertainment he was providing that we did not notice more then an hour passed before we were asked to leave the plane to board one at the next gate. (Toronto all over again)....when we were back in the waiting area of the airport My husband finally understood why I was smiling at our carry-on luggage. You see we had 10 days planned in Costa Rica but not more then 2-3 night at one location and only the first and last night in the San Jose, so lost or delayed luggage would have been something that I could not afford dealing with (we travelled only with carry-ons and no checked -in luggage).
When the boarding agent advised us that the crew exceeded there flight hours (only 8 hours from first flight to landing the last) the people were upset...but when the same agent advised us that we get to keep the flight attendants the same people were applauding and happy...
Most people know that just like weather delays, mechanical delays are out of anyone's control and no, the airline does not have to compensate you for it, but they have to keep you informed and the information provided and how it is provided makes the difference between a horrible experience and a "hiccup" in my book....and the actions of that flight attendant made this unpleasant experience into something that I will always remember with a smile on....it was the best delay ever and if every delay would come with such a wonderful person I would not mind even if every flight would be delayed.
Shortly after that we received a $10 food voucher per person (4 hour delay) and 1 hour later we boarded a different plane were a complementary blanket, pillow, snack and headphones were waiting on each chair.
So here is the story of my most memorable flight.....what was your best flight experience?
Until next time happy travels.
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