As I am sitting in my hotel in Los Angeles I can't help but to think about other study abroad students who have been in my position. A flight came in late due to weather or mechanical issues or any other problem, your connecting flight was cancelled, or you didn't even make it to the airport on time, we have all been there.
I was meant to be on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand from LAX last night at 9:45, but due to the snow in NYC, my flight took off late, and the time that I had saved to switch airlines and terminals, had been used to clear the runway and de-ice the plane. No complaints here, I'd rather have a safe flight free of issues than be put into any danger.
Once I had picked my baggage up from the carousel and booked it to my new terminal, I knew that just by looking at the check-in counter women, I had missed my flight. Their sympathetic faces gave it all away. This is when I learned the first of many lessons last night;
Airlines Are Forgiving:
Trust me, if you feel like I did last night (that it's the end of the world and you'll never get to your destination) I am here to reassure you! Airlines will try to work with you and your schedule to make a new flight work. For me, they checked my boarding pass from my flight that came in late, and put me on the next flight that matched my original, which weirdly was the exact same, just a day later. This was all free of charge, and included friendly smiles, jokes about snow, and compliments on your passport holder.
Airport Sleepovers Aren't Always Necessary:
The biggest surprise that met me during my hour of panic, was that airlines will also help find you accommodations, and will sometimes pay for them for you. In my case, the weather that delayed our take-off, was within the reason of Jet Blue paying for me to stay in a hotel for a night. I told the man behind the counter about my situation, and within minutes he had booked a hotel room for me, and helped me find the shuttle to my home for the night.
Keep Important Numbers On You:
Before I left for what I thought was going to be my big day of travel, I made a folder of all important documents, phone numbers, websites, and addresses. You don't have to go all out like I did (I put all of these in separate plastic sleeves, it's a bit over the top) but having important information like this easily accessible is key! While waiting for my hotel to be booked, I called the emergency number for my study abroad program (AIFS) and told them about my situation. They were very understanding and comforting as well. This is something you need to make sure you do if you find yourself in a delay. Your program keeps track of your arrival, and if you don't arrive on time they will phone your emergency contact numbers trying to find you. A quick phone call is A LOT easier for the program then having them call around to track your whereabouts.
Family Comes First:
It is even more important to let your family know what is happening. I usually message my parents while boarding and then when I land. This keeps them in the loop of where you are, and can also make it easier for them to help with snafus. It also keeps them from worrying too much, which is always key in travel. I messaged my parents the second my flight was rebooked to let them know that I would be staying in Los Angeles for the night, and what my next steps were. Having them to also talk me through what was happening and keep me calm was important too.
Stay Calm:
What I learned overall is that you need to keep calm during these situations. I promise you, it will all work out and you're not the only person going through this. Flights are delayed, cancelled, and changed every minute all around the world. I promise you that there will always be another flight to where you need to go within 24 hours. Just keep your wits about you, take a few deep breathes, and continue on with the adventure.
