I had an encounter with two strangers yesterday at the DFW airport. I will remember them both for a long time. One I will remember fondly and one not so much.
I flew home by myself yesterday with the boys. This is a task I was actually terrified of. How would I manage both kids? What if they both cried the whole time? How am I going to get both kids and the three carry-ons to the gate and on the plane by myself? The time came to head to the gate. We got through security about 20 minutes before take-off. Plenty of time since our gate was only one away from the security checkpoint. Connor was having a major meltdown, wanting me to hold him which was impossible with Logan in the front carrier and three bags on my shoulders. I literally dragged him to the line of people boarding only to realize that this plane was headed to Boston. A man in line informed me that the Burbank flight had been changed to from gate C6 to gate C24. Panic hit and I started crying. It was 15 minutes to take off time, I was 18 gates away by myself with a screaming 2 year old and a newborn. I knew I wouldn’t make it unless we ran, which was impossible. I dragged Connor one gate away where he decided to throw himself on the ground, kicking and screaming. I frantically asked a gate agent for help and he told me to go upstairs, take the train one stop and I would be near my gate. He also called my gate and told them I was on my way and to hold the doors open.
Enter Stranger Number One, named Erin. She saw me struggling and offered to help get me to my gate. She took Logan and a carry-on and I grabbed Connor and the other bags. We made it to gate 24 in 3 or 4 minutes. Still a good 8 minutes before take off. I couldn’t believe that we had made it. I knew it was only because of the help of a kind stranger.
Enter Stranger Number Two, name unknown. She was the gate agent at the new gate. I ran up to her, handed her our tickets, and started thanking Erin profously. #2 informed me that she could not let me on the flight. I strated crying again and begging. I probably looked like a blubbering idiot, but I didn’t care. I just wanted on that plane and to get home. She said no, it was a security risk, she couldn’t let me on. It didn’t matter that the plane was still at the gate. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t been informed of the gate change. It didn’t matter that the other gate agent had called her, and it didn’t matter that my luggage was on the flight without me. There were other people standing near the gate and they were all begging with me, pleading with her to be compassionate to this obviously frazzled mom flying alone with her two little kids. Nothing. She handed me my new boarding passes and informed me I would be on a flight leaving in two hours. I called my mom, still crying. She hadn’t left the airport and was waiting for me outside. Thank goodness because if there was ever a time I needed my mom, this was it.
Two hours later, Connor, Logan, and I left Texas for real. Considering the morning we had, the flight was very uneventful. Connor and Logan each had one meltdown, only lasting about 5 minutes a piece. Not too shabby. When we arrived in Burbank, Derek was waiting there with a big bouquet of flowers and an In ‘n Out burger in the car. It’s good to be home.
I have been busy and today is the first time I’ve looked at the blog since you left. I didn’t know you had such a terrible time!!! Poor baby! I remember traveling alone with Derek and Bret. I never missed a flight and, thenk goodness, back then someone from the family could go with you all the way to the gate. I did have to change planes in Chicago once and didn’t have help, so I know it is a challenge.
Tip for the future. You can have an automatic notification of time and gate changes sent to your cell phone. When you get your tickets on line there is a place to set up automatic notification. I’ve done it before and it works!