Why a second post about traveling? Because there’s an aspect that I didn’t talk a bunch about that I ran into today.
So today, I was supposed to fly out of St. Louis at 1pm, make a connecting flight in Atlanta, and then get to Greensboro at 6pm. For the second time in one month, the engine blew in my Delta plane, but thankfully this time it happened as we were on the runway, not in the air. However, this meant that everyone had to get off the plane and wait as they were fixing the plane. I knew by the time that I got off the plane I wouldn’t make my connection even if we got right back on.
As advised by the Delta agent, I called customer service to get on a different flight. Mind you, I had checked my suitcase and had my big purse with me as my carry-on. The man on customer service advised for me to re-book a flight out of St. Louis and a different flight out of Atlanta. We got off the fist plane about 2pm and my new flight was taking off at 3:30. I was told to wait in line to redirect my checked luggage.
So I waited. And waited. And by 3:05, they had only talked with 2 people because only one person was working. I finally went to the very front and told the second agent who was not seemingly getting anything done that I was about to miss boarding on my re-booked flight, as they had advised, and needed my bag redirected.
It was at this point that I was told it wasn’t possible. They wanted me to re-book my flight but couldn’t move my bag. I would get to Greensboro and need to file a claim and my luggage would come to my door in a couple of days.
Here’s the kicker. That meant that when I got home here are the things I had with me: my computer, two books, my chargers, a snack, a drink, and my diabetes supplies. THANK YOU, JESUS.
If I had checked my supplies so that I wouldn’t deal with it through TSA, I would’ve been totally out of luck. I always tell myself, I can forget anything at home unless it’s something for my diabetes.
The day before, on the 11th, I actually also got stuck because of the icy roads. The interstate had shut down and I followed Siri and the rest of traffic on some backroads, watched 6 accidents, and prayed my little heart out as a girl from Alabama. I was fine until the car in front of me spun out on a hill and I was stuck in the middle. All I knew is that I was safe not moving at all. I eventually was able to back up into a driveway until my cousin and uncle came to get me, but I was so thankful that I had the mind that morning to put my diabetes supplies in my bag thinking, “I’m not from here so just in case,” because otherwise that could’ve been really bad.
My point: ALWAYS have your supplies with you as you travel. Don’t assume it’ll be okay because as soon as you do, it won’t be. Have a kit in your car just in case you were to get in trouble. Have a snack, a drink, maybe an infusion set, and insulin if you have enough to spare. These supplies are your lifeline, the most important thing you bring with you, so don’t lose sight of it.
Travel safe, friends,
HP