I fly commercial airlines about once a month, sometimes more. I occasionally experience delays, but have rarely had a flight cancelled. Usually, things go fairly smoothly.
My children have traveled with me many times—both had traveled by air several times before they were two years old. But this week, they took their first solo trip, to go visit their grandparents in California. And in less than a week,
they’ve had two flights cancelled.
The first was on their outbound trip. Because of an impending storm, American cancelled their flight last Friday. They actually cancelled it the night before.
So they flew out Saturday—the first flight they could get on. That flight was delayed because of mechanical problems for two hours. O’Hare Airport was chaotic and crowded because of the fact it was spring break week, and because of the weather delays from the day before.
Here’s a picture of them at O’Hare, waiting for their flight. Typical jr. hi-er’s, they are rolling their eyes at me because they don’t want me to take their picture.
But they made it to California and have been busy enjoying time with their grandparents, and the warm weather.
The kids have enjoyed their trip, and we’ve had fun being empty nesters for a few days. They’ve been bike riding on Coronado Island and exploring the San Diego Zoo, and my hubby and I have mostly been working! But Tuesday evening we went to Chicago for an overnight that included a jazz club, dinner out, a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago.
The kids were supposed to get home last night. But when they got to the airport yesterday, they were informed that their flight home was cancelled. They happened to be scheduled to fly on one of the MD-80 jets that were grounded so that the FAA could inspect some wiring.
The only direct flight they could re-book on is tonight, and they’ll get in very late. Weather and mechanical problems can cause delays, but I think during spring break, the fallout is more pronounced. The flights are more crowded, it’s tougher to get anywhere.
Still, what are the chances of having two flights cancelled within a week? It’s frustrating, but at the same time, I think they are getting a chance to develop what travel (and life) sometimes requires—flexibility and patience. The whole point of this trip was to give them a taste of independence, of traveling on their own.
I want my kids to become people who can handle adversity, who can be patient and flexible, who don’t get rattled by life’s inevitable frustrations. If that is what I want for them, then I need to let them experience things like having two flights cancelled in one week. I need to spend less energy trying to protect them from ever having to face difficulties or snags.
It’s funny, we want our children to become strong, independent, capable people, yet we often shield them from situations that would develop their character. While I can’t arrange for them to have frustrations, what can I do to allow them to develop patience and fortitude? It’s a question this week has prompted me to consider.
8 Comments
The words I dread when sitting on an airplane are, “Well Folks. . .”. It usually means that my schedule just went down the toilet.
Chicago O’Hara is my bottleneck in the travels of ministry. : ) I love the airport, the design, the food, but I have spent many hours in this airport due to “weather”–or “whether”.
“Weather” in Chicago or maybe New Jersey that backed up the flight schedule. Or “whether” or not the flight is backed up, overbooked, or an airplane just needs a little tinkering before we go up in the air.
Chicago O’Hare is NOT my favorite airport, although I LOVE the restaurants and everything else it has to offer. I try to avoid it at all COSTS, but sometimes I can’t. And every time…delays, delays, delays (usually weather related!). Actually, I know people who deliberately plan a “stop” there because they know they will get bumped, and they collect vouchers. I have been offered so many vouchers at that particular airport, but I always decline. A free trip is never worth it to me (I always have someone waiting on the other side). It’s fun to watch the reactions of other people under difficult circumstances; I collect stories! I just find myself a restaurant with wireless access and do some work. FUN, FUN, FUN!
There are two dirty words in the flight industry. One is O’Hare and the other is Atlanta. I try to avoid both of those whenever I can. In fact I have avoided flying all together for over 10 years. We are planning our first family flight ever next month and I am hoping for no delays. They don’t handle delays well. I know i will be saying lots of prayers during the trip. We are going to Washington DC and I have my escape route planned in case I need it……. Get ready for a phone call Connie.
I have a plan this year. Since I travel at least once a month out of state, sometimes more, I will try to collect vouchers as often as possible. Since my plan started (in February) I’ve scored one voucher, but in San Diego instead of O’Hare. : ) I look forward to seeing how many I can collect and how many places I can visit for free. : )
it is snowing here, the kids’ flight is delayed by about an hour and half, so far. we’ll see what happens. I am so tired of winter I could just cry. the tree outside my window is coated with snow. the first 20 times it happend this winter, I thought it was so pretty. but now it infuriates me. I’m just longing for green. my tulips are poking up thru the soil, and now have snow on them.
Keri, spring HAS to come soon. Your kids will bring it in with them.
Sounds like you’re doing a great job building independence. My parents sent me from New Orleans to Chicago to visit a friend when I was 15 and it was the BEST. I loved flying alone, feeling adult, independent. It’s been exhilarating ever since, traveling and being independent.
You ask what you can do to help them develop patience and fortitude. The best thing for patience I can recommend in an airport is a book or a lap top. OUr son was delayed by an hour and a half yesterday when heading back to school. We spoke with him while he was waiting and he said, “It’s all good. I’ve got my lap top.” He is launching a Web site so it gave him time to work on it.
The most improtant thing with being patient is keeping the mid occupied with something pleasant.
Are the kids home yet?
Kids got home very late Thursday night (actually it was 1 .am. friday. Have been spending time with them!
they’re doing great. I think we develop patience when we have it tested, when we endure. the bible says the testing of our faith develops perserverance. (see James 1:3) but distractions help us to weather it better, I think!!