I was up early because I had to drop someone at the airport. There’s a story behind why I dislike being late for planes and maybe it’s worth telling for amusement
many years ago I used to travel heaps for work. On and off planes - tediously so. Anyway on this occasion I was flying with a colleague so we were to meet up on the plane. I left home in what ought to have been plenty of time but got caught in a traffic jam on the eastern freeway. As the minutes ticked over and the window to check in closed up on me I was starting to feel desperate. Though not entirely convinced of the power of prayer I cried out to the universe - please god let a miracle happen
in my tiny brain the only miracle I could think of was that the traffic would magically clear and I’d somehow complete the journey in record time. Not quite what happened. I got to the airport, dumped the car at valet and ran. Check in had closed but (and this was the good old days) they suggested I scoot to the gate and see if they’d let me on. I ran again and when I reached the service centre handed over my frequent flier card which they swiped while telling me the plane was taxiing to the runway. There was a gasp. They checked my name. They must have pushed some emergency button because next thing people were scrambling. The plane was brought back to the gate. Now I didn’t think I was that important so it was very weird.
it turned out that at minutes after I had called out for help someone with the same Last name (different first name) as I had checked in and somehow been checked in as me. With her luggage on board they couldn’t take the risk
so as I walked onto this plane my colleague rolled his eyes and I guess everyone else wondered who I might be that I could have a plane return to the gate
a no body it was enough to make me hate dawdling or being late for planes at least.
so that meant waking at a rather silly hour
any way I think your posts have made a few people relieved. I hope the experience hasn’t scarred you to the point you break habits of a lifetime. Or would that be helpful?
