06.07.08 By That Much
I missed my flight. I just missed my flight. It’s a Southwest flight though, so, as they always do, they’re working hard to fix my mistake and get me to Ohio before my gig this evening.
I’m a professional traveler. I know how long it takes me to get from my driveway to the security line at any time on any day. I know which cities are leaving out of what gates in the terminal and how long it takes to reach them. There’s chart of this kind of data in my brain - it’s color coded and bar graphed. So why did I miss my flight?
I left my house this morning in just enough time to make my flight. If I made no mistakes along the way.
Then, I made a mistake.
On the parking shuttle headed to the terminal, I realized I’d left my wallet in my car. My wallet is the home of my license and credit card, both of which I sorta need to fly around the country and rent cars and whatnot. So I rode the shuttle to the terminal, waited while vacationers with lots of car seats and kiddos stumbled off the bus, and then I rode the bus to the arrivals level to pick up folks who just landed in our fair city. Then we all rode together to the parking lot. It took half an hour.
(Update: The seven foot super model in the Southwest shirt (Where do they find these people?) just booked me on a later flight that’ll be getting me to the gig an hour later than sound check was supposed to be. I’m praying for no traffic and a speedy and very talented sound man.)
After retrieving my wallet, I rode back to the terminal again. The Southwest line was quick as always. And Andy O was in line with me and made me laugh and that brought my stress level down quite a bit. (He’s bringing me a cheap t-shirt from the Salvation Army conference he’s playing this weekend. I told him I don’t think it’s that kind of a conference but...) I used the Northworst security gate instead of the packed Southwest security gate (a little trick for all you Nashville flyers), and I sprinted from security to my gate: C25, the farthest gate in the entire airport (boot camp has practical applications, it turns out).
But Southwest has this ten minute rule. Yes, I’m a frequent flyer. Yes, I forsake all other airlines for Southwest. But the ten minute rule clearly states that if you aren’t at your gate ten minutes before the plane leaves - regardless of race, religion, or how much you heart Southwest - they will leave your butt and give your seat to someone possibly less loyal but certainly less tardy.
I have mixed feelings then. On the one hand I missed my flight and that means plans have to be changed, stresses arise, apologies have to be made, more running and worrying will ensue. Yet I like egalitarianism and sticking to the rules. Even when the rule sticks it to me. Torn. Grace or justice? Very torn. And getting some work done for the next couple hours.
Wayward Now Home said:
I wish I could sympathize with you, Shaun! But I’ve never actually ridden an airplane in the near-20 years that I’ve been alive so I can’t really understand all the trouble that goes into making a flight.
Although I have missed my school bus on a few occasions. Perhaps that is similar?
I hope the show goes well despite being late! Rely upon God, bro.
Kelly @ Love Well said:
I’d say you tasted both justice AND grace. As you well know, there are few airlines these days that will work to get you on another flight if you miss your original. So while Southwest showed you justice in keeping the 10-minute rule, they also showed you grace in getting you to your destination anyway.
Southwest Airlines: The Airline of God.
said:
grace...Ps 103:8-10 & 19, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities...The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.”
Jeff Honnold said:
Hey Shaun, no worries, no stress, no apologies, no problem!!
I’m really glad you made it here to Wadsworth tonight. While it was all a little on the tight side from a timing standpoint, God was blessed and honored tonight and lives were saved. Thanks for spending a Saturday night away from your family. Oh, and I’ll let you know if we ever get that air conditioning in the Sanctuary.
Here’s hoping the rest of your weekend goes nice and smooth and that you were at least able to find a good burrito!
Texas in Africa said:
Shhhhhhh!!! Don’t tell people about that skipping the Southwest security side trick!
said:
I feel ya, dawg.
But don’t go telling everybody about the Northwest side of security. Too many people are finding out as it is. And security time is no time to be feeling all share-y and nice. Leave my quiet security line alone.
ps - hope your event went well.
Bush said:
man...i’m so so glad my fat butt wasn’t running with you this time to the gate. that is a flight i will never remember.
what are you going to do without me? haha…
said:
I was recently VERY CLOSE to missing a Southwest flight out of Sacramento! I think I might have even been within the 10 minute grace period… But, although there was nobody at the gate to take my boarding pass, I went on down the corridor-thingy to the plane, and LUCKILY someone took my pass and let me on. I found a seat and watched a couple more folks board after me. Whew! It was definitely too close for comfort.
Andy O said:
Dude, I just read this (backed up a bit in my blog reader). I think we must have been on the same flight. Was it to (or in your case through) Chicago?
I made it with seconds, literally, to spare, and I heard them say something that sounded like “Mr. Oaves isn’t coming,” as they uncrossed my name back onto the list.
All this points to Billy Dee Williams and us grabbing lunch soon.