Story #1: Never give up!
Never give up is a mindset.
In my mind, I will always think that there is another way out, there is always a way forward. Never a dead end.
Never give up is an attitude.
Even if I hit the dead end, I will turn around and continue finding my way out.
Just 2 days ago, my younger daughter and I were at Newark Liberty International Airport, New York waiting to board a non-stop 18 hours and 45 minutes flight home. Unfortunately after waiting for about 2 hours, we were informed that our flight was canceled. We had to stay overnight and our flight was re-scheduled to 2pm the very next day. The rescheduled flight was not 100% certain but we were all hopeful. We were not giving up. We always believe in being proactive and making extra effort as there is always a way out. As we were going to the hotel, we met a few airline officers and we talked to them and got to know them. We also encountered a few challenges like forgetting to pick up one of our bags from the belt and having to ask the ground crew to help us place it at the check-in counter for us to retrieve the very next day. We also tried to ask whether it is possible for us to be on the earlier flight the next day. They all said that it’s not possible as the flights were full.
We learned from our experience that we needed to take the earlier airport shuttle as there were too many people trying to get on board the limited seats on the airport shuttle which runs every 30 minutes. To avoid all that hassle, the very next morning we went to the airport earlier than the required time. We arrived at the Newark Liberty International airport 6 hours earlier than expected. We were very eager and hopeful to board the earlier flight. As we spoke to most of the airline ground officers the day before, almost all of them already knew us and remembered us. We tried again asking for seats on the earlier flight. Once again, the airline officers said no the flight was full.
The airline supervisor whom we met yesterday came by to apologize for the flight cancellation. We asked him whether we could have 2 seats on the earlier flight back home. He said no, unfortunately the flight was full. We ask whether we can try again at the boarding gate in case of some last-minute cancellations or no shows. While waiting, we were busy checking in our bags, removing the old bag tags from yesterday so that they can place new bag tags.
Suddenly out of the blue, the airline supervisor said he has good news for us and he can have us on the earlier flight. We were overjoyed!
My daughter witnessed the whole series of events. She was pleasantly surprised and extremely happy. Given that this is her first experience with flight cancellations, I am confident that she will have the courage to do the same at any point of her life when she faces any challenges.
Just ask and just do it.
We learned from our experience that we needed to take the earlier airport shuttle as there were too many people trying to get on board the limited seats on the airport shuttle which runs every 30 minutes. To avoid all that hassle, the very next morning we went to the airport earlier than the required time. We arrived at the Newark Liberty International airport 6 hours earlier than expected. We were very eager and hopeful to board the earlier flight. As we spoke to most of the airline ground officers the day before, almost all of them already knew us and remembered us. We tried again asking for seats on the earlier flight. Once again, the airline officers said no the flight was full.
The airline supervisor whom we met yesterday came by to apologize for the flight cancellation. We asked him whether we could have 2 seats on the earlier flight back home. He said no, unfortunately the flight was full. We ask whether we can try again at the boarding gate in case of some last-minute cancellations or no shows. While waiting, we were busy checking in our bags, removing the old bag tags from yesterday so that they can place new bag tags.
Suddenly out of the blue, the airline supervisor said he has good news for us and he can have us on the earlier flight. We were overjoyed!
My daughter witnessed the whole series of events. She was pleasantly surprised and extremely happy. Given that this is her first experience with flight cancellations, I am confident that she will have the courage to do the same at any point of her life when she faces any challenges.
Just ask and just do it.
First published 28 June 2022, 7:16pm