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My rant about my bad day…
By Robert Skrob | March 20, 2008
I made every possible mistake on my way to an Information Marketing Association strategy meeting with Bill Glazer and Dan Kennedy in Baltimore.
The meeting was booked for the morning of March 21, 2008 several weeks ago. Probably back in January.
The day started with a headache. I tried to fight it off by ignoring it.
I left my cell phone at home this morning so I had to swing by my house real quick on my way to the airport. My fight was scheduled to leave at 1:40 pm this afternoon. At about 11:30 am I began to leave my office and figured I’d print out my boarding pass before I left for the airport. I was staving hungry since 10:25 am (which only made my headache worse) and anxious to grab something to eat my way to the airport. However, Delta’s online check-in wouldn’t let me print a ticket.
Then I looked more carefully at the date on the itinerary. I’d booked the flight for March 21st instead of March 20th. The meeting would be over by the time I landed. With Bill and Dan, rescheduling the meeting is not an option. I had one shot and if I wasn’t in Bill’s office by 9:00 am my opportunity to see them was over.
I tried to reschedule my flight online but I couldn’t get a connection that would get me into Baltimore before 10:00 pm tonight. I called Delta customer service. I entered my Skymiles number. I selected option 2. I input my pin code. I waited. Then an operator came on so I could explain what I needed.
Before giving me my rebooking options he lectured me on how to verify that I’m booking my flight on the correct date before I purchase the tickets. Also, he suggested that I review everything at least 14 days before departure. Yes, he was full of helpful advice.
Finally, he booked me on the same flights available online, a 10:05 pm arrival in to Baltimore. The ticket change fee was $858.00! Delta can cancel flights, delay flights or reroute me at will. If I want to change something I have to pay $858.00. So, my oversight cost me 5 hours and 8 bills.
I got off the phone and left the office to find something to eat. On my new itinerary my flight didn’t leave until 4:40 pm. On my way to find something to eat I decided to stop at a Whataburger just up the road from my office. I go there all the time and usually walk. But since I was already driving I just parked and ate.
During lunch I planed my new afternoon. I had 3 projects to complete, I’d leave my office by 3:00 PM, go home to get my phone and make it to the airport with time to get a neck massage at the place in the airport. It felt good to have my lunch and have the stress behind me.
When 3:00 PM arrived I had one more quick thing to do. I looked up and it was 3:15 pm. When I tried to leave I couldn’t find the print out for my new ticket. I reprinted it and it was 3:20 pm when I left. I walked into the parking lot and realized I’d walked to my office and left my truck in the Whataburger parking lot. I walk all the time so I’d just walked back out of habit.
Now I had to walk over to Whataburger, get in my truck and drive home. When I got home I grabbed my suitcase because I wanted to change my clothes real quick before heading to the airport. I changed, loaded up my suitcase and headed down the road. That’s when the low fuel light came on. The airport is far enough away that I’d need to stop for gas.
Oh crap, I forgot to grab my telephone while I was at the house. That was the whole reason I’d gone home. So, I went back. I decided to back into my drive way so I could just drive straight out after I grabbed my phone.
As I backed-up I pressed the button to open my garage door. For the first time since lunch I noticed my headache again. Backing down the driveway I glanced at my mirror to make sure the door was opening. That’s when I backed into the tree. It’s next to my drive way, I’d gotten off track by about 3 feet.
I had to pull forward, steer around the tree and continue down the driveway. I got out, got my phone and got back on the road. I had to go a different way so I could stop for gas. By the time I set out for the airport it was 3:50. I had 55 minutes to get to the airport, get through security and make my flight.
Traffic was terrible. It was 20 minutes before I pulled into the airport parking lot. I looked for the ticket I’d printed out and I couldn’t find it. The computers won’t allow them to print boarding passes with less than 30 minutes before the flight so I ran to the terminal to try to make it before that deadline.
I got there and the thing couldn’t find my reservation. I had to key in my Skymiles number, my departure city, my date of travel, my time of travel and then, finally it found my reservation. It printed a boarding pass, and then I was off to security.
I gave a passing glance at the massage place. My phone debacle, tree incident, gas stop and traffic took all my massage time. I went through security and made my flight.
I made it to Baltimore. About 6 hours later than expected and now it’s time to grab some sleep before my meeting with Bill and Dan tomorrow.
I can’t think of a moral to this story. But, if you’ve had a similar day drop me a comment about it. Or, when you have a day when you sabotage yourself at every turn you can think of me and know that there are others who are sabotaging themselves right along with you.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
March 21st, 2008 at 1:56 PM
I think the universe is not unfolding as it should! My entire month has been like you day!