FLIGHT SCOOL

So, it's 5:00 am and I hit the snooze button one more time. I have a flight that leaves for Baltimore at 8:45 am. “I have time,” I think to myself.  Ten minutes later I get up, hit the shower, get dressed, and head out the door. By that time, it’s around 6:45 am. I knew I was supposed to arrive at the airport 2 hours before my flight but I know I’ll be ok. I head up the stairs with my carryon, a laptop, and one bag to be checked. I’m struggling trying to lift everything, so I place it on the ground lugging one suitcase up the stairs at time. The carryon and laptop are up the stairs so it’s time to carry the suitcase. “Ugggh! This thing is heavy!” I screech. I finally reach the top of the stairs and the zipper on the largest suitcase breaks! I scuffle to gather my clothes together and throw the entire suitcase in the trunk of my car. I have to go back into my apartment to find another bag that will fit most of the contents of the first one. I quickly grab a duffle bag and head up the stairs. I’m going to be late, it’s time to go!

As I’m cruising down 75 South, I receive a text message from my Traveling Buddy asking whether I’ve made it yet. I quickly text back, “I’m on the way.” About 15 minutes later I arrive at the offsite parking deck my company has a discount with. The shuttle driver comes around to pick me up, but I’m trying to transfer my clothes/shoes from the big suitcase into the duffle bag. Hmmm…what do I want to keep? I refold my clothing and begin to distinguish the items that are pertinent from the items I packed “Just in Case”. The driver tells me he can’t wait any longer and drives off.


Minutes later, a new driver rolls around picks my luggage up and we're off to the airport. I arrive at the airport around 7:30am and the lines are ridiculous. The kinks with the new international line at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport have not been worked out and I see that the lines extend to PLUTO. I checked in online from my phone but I still have to check in my duffle bag. It took about 25 minutes then I was off to the security line.

I look around the security line and say to myself, “It’s not going to be that bad.”  I have a little less than an hour left. I walk towards the security line and see that the lines go through the food court and extend past the baggage area.  I sit in the line for 15 minutes then begin to ask other passengers if I can jump ahead of them. “My flight leaves at 8:45, do you mind if I get in front of you?” I ask several passengers. Most oblige and I am swiftly breezing through the line. As I walk through the security, I steadily watch my watch to make sure I still have enough time.

My co-workers begin texting me to tell me they are already on the flight.  My heart begins to pound as I try to rush through the crowds to make it to my flight. I receive another text message saying that the doors were closing. I.MISSED.MY.FLIGHT!

MORAL OF THE STORY: ARRIVING EARLY IS BETTER THAN ARRIVING ON TIME.