Unexpected Delays

                I made a 40 hour trip from Manila to Macomb. The only problem is it should only take 22 hours. I spent an extra 18 hours in Detroit. Which is definitely an adventure that I would add to “just keep your composure, and you’ll make it through” moments of my life.

See, my earlier flight from Japan to Detroit landed 50 minutes late, and since it was my port of entry to the US, I had to go through customs. As a result, I missed my next flight, and was scheduled for the same flight four hours later. So as I wandered aimlessly around the Detroit Airport, I spent a lot of time thinking of where my first meal in America should be. The resounding answer in my mind was the most American thing I could think of, Taco Bell. I had it and it was overpriced, but it was delicious. They have almost all of the fast food chains in the Philippines too; just no country will ever out do USA in unhealthy food. Anyway, when I returned to the departing gate, an earlier flight to Harrisburg was sitting there thirty minutes after its scheduled departure and still had no crew. So my flight was pushed back another two hours, and I had to call my brother waiting to drive me home to take the two hour drive back, without me. I later learned there was a small surprise party waiting for me there. Eventually after waiting the two hours, my flight was cancelled, and I had a small freak out. I had no idea what to do about that.

Eventually, after following the mass of angry people I found the assistance desk, behind a line of 100 angry people. Everyone around was in so much anger, while I was just honestly scared, I’m hardly an adult and I had to spend the night alone in Detroit. I looked up a few crime facts about Detroit, and that was not a good idea. There was a family behind me, with two small girls. They were in tears, they just wanted to get home, and I just wanted to get home too. They kept looking to me for reassurance; I was the closest to their age. I kept smiling and mouthing “It’s okay” and they seemed to relax a bit.  Eventually after about 2 hours of waiting in line, I received a new flight in the morning to a different city, but it was much earlier than my other choices. I was given a hotel room and three meals.

Everyone still sat in anger on the way to the hotels, but there was nothing any of us could do anymore. So I took advantage of the small opportunities I was given. For example, I took a bath, a real bath for the first time in years. I probably shouldn’t have done it in a questionable hotel room, but it was worth it. Then I spend the next few hours thinking of bad jokes about airlines, “hey, maybe you should buy me dinner and a hotel room before screwing me over next time” I was pretty proud of that one.

I eventually did make it back home, except my luggage was sent to a different airport. At that point, it was something I expected. My friends and family were angrier than I was. I guess I saw how anger and yelling got people nowhere, and when I eventually reached the assistance desk, they were more than willing to help a calm customer that just wanted to get home. I was always told that my level head was a good characteristic, but this was the first experience where I actually felt I benefited. In the end, I’ll sum it up with a new popular slogan, “Keep calm and carry on.” Sometimes, regardless of age, there are people looking at you. You may be a leader, and have no idea people are following. It’s best to act with a calm mind and always be an example.