On Sunday, I set out for Aix-en-Provence, France. Months prior to my departure, I booked my flights so that I would arrive with just enough time before orientation for my study abroad program began. However, the airline decided to cancel one of my flights throwing my entire schedule off. My dad helped me find new flights so I could still arrive on time, but there was no room for error. With just two flights to go, a long line of storms moved into the New York City area causing my next flight to be delayed for over three hours. This delay brought my flight into London two hours after my flight to Marseille departed. Thanks to my wonderful parents, I was rebooked for the next flight to Marseille and the university I'd be attending was very cooperative.
Because I was traveling abroad for the first time alone, I wasn't quite sure what to do. My initial reaction was to panic, but there was nothing anyone there could do. Weather is uncontrollable and delays are inevitable. Life often throws us delays and cancellations that are out of our control, but we cannot freak out. We must choose to stay calm and allow the situation to work itself out.
I realized a few things as I was sitting stuck on the tarmac for three hours with hundreds of strangers. These realizations helped me get over the delay and make the most of my time at the airport:
I am not alone. Every other passenger on the flight was also delayed. Many passengers missed their connecting flights and there was nothing we could do about it.
Delays cannot be controlled. The weather is certainly out of our control, as are most delays in life. The flight crew was not to fault for the delay. They were merely following orders, which protected the safety of everyone on board.
Delays allow extra time. Not that I haven't had enough "me time" traveling alone, but I was able to sleep and catch up on "Downton Abbey."
Delays will work themselves out. As I was stuck, my parents were working to rebook my flight. They were able to find a seat on the next available flight, and when I arrived in London, the gate agents found an even better seat.
Delays are not cancellations. My flight was not cancelled. I was not eternally stuck on the tarmac. I might have missed one flight, but another flight was waiting for me.
I will get where I am going. One way or another, I will arrive at my final destination. It maybe hours after I intended to arrive, but those hours won't mean anything when all is said and done.
