julie mcguffee and rachel on the set of PBS's Scrapbook Soup
that was THE craziest 48 hours of travel in.my.life.
the day started on thursday at 4am and ended this morning at 1am. i was practically on a plane the entire time.
THREE hour delay at PDX for fog in SFO...just like san francisco to have fog.
new flight for 2pm instead of original flight...NOT cool. being the fast forward person that i am when we arrived at SFO i made a beeline to my original flight with two elderly people that were in my row from PDX going to ohio (home for them) as they had been rerouted to chicago then to ohio. that would have been the same for me yet the gentleman at the counter said to stay put and that i would simply get on a 2pm flight instead. WELL, that just screams challge doesn't it.
a picture is worth a THOUSAND words.
after having made that BEELINE to the 'original' flight, my composure still in tact, i simply say this is my original flight and would like to be on THIS flight and i cannot afford to take the next flight, my job depends on it.....always keep a VERY straight face if you EVER intend on doing this. calm, composed and confident. AND these folks are traveling with me and they need to get on the flight too. they tell me that they were only waiting on two people and my name was on that list and not theirs. well OF COURSE their name wasn't on the list, they had been re-routed to chicago (this is what i'm saying in my mind at least)....the entire time watching the plane move away from the bridge....insert 'slow-motion' effects. still composed, i say is the plane full? he proceeds to tell me no and i say well then there is room for ALL three of us then, isn't there (ONE of my eye-brows always tends to raise at this type of adrenaline level, i have NO control over it). and then he says, sorry maam but we only have you on the list, not them. i continue with there is plenty of room, these folks are VERY tired and simply want to get home, they were on the original flight with me and were told they had to be re-routed, etc. and the other gate employee says maam come with me as we ALL practically RUN down the bridge, the other guy is radioing the plane and the bridge is in motion with the plane coming back. we WILL be getting on THIS plane right NOW. never mind the people already IN the plane, glaring at you as you are coming down the aisle, it wasn't that bad as the three of us looked VERY tired and probably very pathetic. sympathy was on our side for this one...WHEW. the elderly couple proceeded to thank me profusely, hugging me, etc....it's amazing the feelings strangers share when in a stressful situation. we took our seats across from each in the same 'aisle' me on aisle seat on one side and the elderly couple in the aisle seat and center seat on the other side. i had my hand on the arm rest and the gentleman reached across and squeezed my hand tight, still thanking me, etc. at which time i started to hear other passengers say 'WOW', the plane never comes back to the bridge like that for people. the captain came over the intercom to say, okay we have three lovely passengers that have joined us, we're very happy to have them on board, etc. all the while i'm thinking is that sarcasm OR kind words to allay the irritation of our fellow passengers. i didn't care. my morning had started at 4am....i did simple NOT care, off we went. that was THE shortest time i have been at an airport...under 10 minutes.
p.s. if EVER you attempt to do this, remain calm, composed and confident. might also help to look very pathetic (insert puppy dog eyes), make good eye contact, whatever it takes.
p.s.s make sure you have a good, firm balance when the bridge is being pulled out to meet the plane, that's bonus advice.
my luggage did NOT arrive with me, ahem....it was probably on the last plane i had just left, of course it was and it would probably be on my 2pm fight while i was NOW on my 'original' flight. i was so tired at that point and i knew the meltdown was building.
i had to be at the studio to shoot my segments at 7am the very next day. the luggage did not arrive until the next morning and i was already two+ hours behind. needless to say, that did not bode well with my perfomance on camera. i was VERY lucky that the studio and the show were VERY kind, patient and understanding about my travel day. i was the last person of the week to shoot segments and it showed. and all i could think, it was what it was at that point.
p.s. ALWAYS take your vitamins, hydrate and stay focused.
p.s.s. get over it, the things that you have NO control over are not controllable. DUH.
i will spare you the details before, during AND after the flight, airport baggage claim office, cab to hotel, hotel check-in and beyond. trust me, it's better left at rest and i'm sure my segments will show as such. hangs her head in shame.
ONWARD and UPWARD!!
happy weekend and thanks for cheering me on.
HUGS, rachel
