Eddie and I are still in the hospital, , , expecting to be discharged tomorrow.
All the snow we got on Monday reminds me of the situation I faced a few years ago when I was trying to return home from Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA.
Upon arriving at the Dar es Salaam airport, I see the sign that my flight is delayed. Uh-oh, not what I was hoping for. At the check-in counter the agent (who was very nice) told me the delay was due to a snow storm in Amsterdam, my connection airport to the US. She said I could wait in Dar or I could take the flight to Amsterdam although it looked like I would not make my connecting flight.
My decision was easy. Amsterdam has a terrific airport terminal with all the amenities you would want. If I’m going to be stuck somewhere, Amsterdam would be one of my top choices, , , so I decide to take the delayed flight and head that way knowing I’ll miss my Amsterdam connection.
Well, I arrive in Amsterdam and the airport is a zoo. Hundreds of flights are stuck and people are everywhere.
“Houston, we have a problem!”
The problem I now have is that because I’ve missed my connecting flight I need to arrange for a new flight. Lines to the ticket agents are literally packing the hall, , , wall to wall people, all trying to make flight changes. It looks like a minimum of 3-5 hours before I would get to an agent, , , if at all. NOT GOOD!
My analytical brain kicks into action, , ,
WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, SIZE UP THE SITUATION, DETERMINE WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE, AND MAKE APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS.
My goal is clear, , , book a new flight that helps me get back home. How do I circumvent the problem of not being able to get to an agent in order to change my ticket? I thought of a couple of options but the one I was most comfortable with was pretty simple.
My decision was to call my wife, Dorine, and ask her to help me make the flight changes with US airline agents. This way, I will have someone who knows what we need and will be able to continue working with me in case we need to make adjustments later. It also keeps Dorine (“Do”) in the loop with what’s taking place. PLUS, I trust Dorine completely in her ability to help in this situation. So,,, “Do” becomes my airline travel agent.
She was able to quickly get me an alternate flight back to the US (Amsterdam to Atlanta, then Nashville). It meant spending the night in the Amsterdam airport, but I can handle it, , , just like I’m doing with staying in the hospital with Eddie this week while he is here.
After Dorine texts me the flight information, I need to get the ticket and I don’t want to stand in line for hours. Well, guess what, , , the kiosks are completely empty, , , so, I weave my way through the crowd to get to an empty kiosk and I’m able to print out my new ticket without a problem.
DORINE, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
Now, all I have to do is check into the gate at 6:30am the next morning. All set, so time to look for a place to hang out, get something to eat, and charge my phone.
The point with all of this is that “problems or challenges happen from time to time”. Think through the issues, evaluate your options, and take action to minimize the impact these challenges create for you.
ADJUST AS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOAL!!
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Mike Sisco, ITBMC 