It is a billion dollar question till this moment, how my stress was overcome without much panic ,held up at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport over night on May 28,en route to my daughter's place in the US. Despite being optimistic and undaunted, stress and emotions take control of me easily even at the slightest provocation.
Boarded the third and final flight ,the American Airlines at Dallas, scheduled to depart at 9. 50 PM to reach my destination, the Kansas City, after 90 minutes.The flight took off at 10. 30 PM only to stop immediately at the runway,with the announcement that the flight was stranded due to the bad weather.The delay was conveyed to the other end with the help of the phone from a good Samaritan, seated next to me, as the status of the flight would be displayed as "Departed ". At 11. 00 PM, the passengers were told to alight and go back to the gate.
At 1 O' Clock midnight, the flight was officially cancelled, followed by the issuing of alternative tickets, a standby ticket for the 7.00 AM flight and a confirmed ticket for 11.55 AM flight. All these formalities over at 2 O' clock midnight, taking the elevator and the Sky Link, reached the other gate to board 7.00 AM flight. Also had the first time experience of eating at midnight in a restaurant, that too Burritos in a distant country.
A pleasant surprise, of course midst of so much of anxiety, was the sight of some folding, camp cots at the gate.Nearly 36 hours since leaving home at Chennai,what else can be so alluring to stretch the body for a couple of hours.Camp cots being provided at the airport was not known earlier to my daughter and family, other friends and relatives, some of whom happen to be frequent fliers but had missed the " adventure " of being held up over night in an airport.
Getting ready to board the 7.00 AM flight, my name, listed as the 42 nd standby, lost all hopes.Opening the mouth to narrate my ordeals of a 36 hour Odyssey to the Airlines Staff at the Gate on two or three occasions had to end abruptly seeing their hands raised,signalling to stop and mean " We do understand you; yet we are helpless ! Listening to such stories are a part of our profession, when the weather plays truant ! "
Noting that there was also a flight at 10.00 AM , my request to give a seat for me in that flight was accepted.To move from Gate A 11 to Gate A 37 ,again the elevator and the Sky Link, with the bare minimum to walk.Had Coffee and Chips at the stall. Confirming the departure at 10.00 AM, the news was conveyed to my daughter again with a phone of yet an other good Samaritan.The co passengers and others waiting ,at the gate ,were very cordial and supporting.
Last time Jiji , GG, God,s Gift, safe in his mother,s tummy was now holding his mother's hand to receive this grandma while his brother to be,Aarji, RG, Reward of God has succeeded him in taking his place.May God' s blessings be with their family for ever !
