Running Late to the Airport For A Flight? A Cautionary Tale for Travelers
It wasn’t me this time. I’ve had my fair share of cutting it close, but this story is about someone else in my household—let’s call them “The Latecomer.” 😀 It’s a story of maybe panic, perhaps imperfect planning (or was it fate?), definitely bad luck, and the sheer persistence test that comes with arriving late for a flight. Trust me on this. I have had my fair share of this, the worst being a LIAT Airline staff calling me to look up in the sky as my flight took off to Barbuda—just for her bit of glee that day.
We Try Some Backward Planning (But It Can Fail Us)
We always calculate flight schedules like clockwork. We are seasoned travelers after all! For an international flight departing at 11:00 AM, the plan looks like this:
- 9:00 AM: Arrive at the airport to allow for check-in, security, and immigration. Check!
- 8:30 AM: Be in the rideshare en route to the airport (because we’ve all given up on unreliable Uncle Joe and his Scotch-induced lateness from the night before, and that friend who refuses to buy a new battery despite the cold starts her car no has in winter).
- 7:30 AM: Wake up, eat, shower, and finalize packing. "I saw your deodorant still in the bathroom, don't forget it."
Usually, this system is airtight. We have done it loads of times, and it works. The Latecomer followed the script to the letter—well, almost. The devil and his little yellow minions are always in the details. "Everything is NOT Awesome!" While the luggage was packed, that deodorant stayed rested in its spot, forgotten, and the timing for rush-hour traffic was wildly underestimated, even forgotten. That's what happens when you work remotely. You forget many others still commute. Instead of 30 minutes to the airport, the drive stretched to a mind-crushing 😦 90 minutes. Yikes!!
Schadenfreude at Security
By the time The Latecomer hit the curb, it looked like a scene from the Road Runner cartoon—legs spinning before touching the ground, sprinting with luggage in tow, eyes darting frantically for the digital board with the check-in counter information. But, of course, there’s always that one calm security guard. Calmly stationed at the entrance, required to check anyone "that looks suspicious," they ask questions that seem designed to slow you down:
"Where are you traveling to? What do you do for a living? What else can I ask you to make you miss your flight? Hmm, let me think really slowly. Oh, yes, I have one now. Why are you in such a rush?"
You want to scream and punch them, “Let me through!” But you can’t. Take deep breaths. Fake smile, so he does not think he needs to try harder because he is not getting to you. The guard eventually lets you pass, clearly savoring their moment of power over your panic. Schadenfreude, the German word for taking joy in someone else's misery, comes to mind. I love that word. I see it in people so many times!
The Line to Eternity
Security was next, and as expected, the line stretched into Kingdom Come. The Latecomer stood patiently, resisting the urge to cut ahead like those frantic passengers who yell, “My flight is boarding! I am late! Please let me pass! Sorry for skipping the line! I can't miss this flight! My daughter is having a baby! I am going for a job! I don't really have a reason other than I hate waiting in lines, so I make crap up to skip the line!” We’ve all judged them before, haven’t we? "Just show up early like me. I am a better person than you."
But now, the shoe was on the other foot. By the time The Latecomer made it through the metal detectors, the boarding alerts were relentless:
"Final Call for Flight 666 of Ontime Airlines. All remaining passengers must board now, or get a hot air balloon to your destination."
The Great Airport Marathon
With boarding already underway, it was time for the ultimate endurance test: the wonderful and crazy airport sprint. Running full speed—okay, not full speed. Something resembling running—maybe bubbling. You have not run full speed since 15 years of age. Knees burned like someone opened a wound and rubbed pepper in them. Lungs must be too small for this body. Mercy, please! The moving walkway, in collaboration with the security guard, conveniently decided to take a break at the worst possible moment. The Latecomer dodged slow-walking crowds moving like a herd of wildebeests, leaped over obstacles like the suitcase the child had lugging behind them to feel like they were carrying something like their Mommy (maybe not quite a leap, but more like a jerky jump), and finally arrived at the gate at 10:45 AM, just 15 minutes before departure, with no one at the gate except the agent looking around the corning expecting you to burst around like a bolting horse.
The Gate Agent's Dilemma
Here’s where the travel gods smiled that day and had mercy. The Latecomer had checked luggage. Removing it from the plane would delay departure, causing everyone to be angry. So, the gate agent begrudgingly allowed boarding. Sigh! By now, the adrenaline had burned out, leaving a wobbling, limping passenger in its wake. You board the plane and wait for the door to shut, but there is just one more behind you, Latercomer II.
As the plane door closes and the engines rev, seated passengers watch you, judging your lack of organization. Their stares say, "Why can't you arrive on time like us?"
The Hard Lessons Learned
If this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Arriving late for a flight is normal for many travelers. But it’s not an experience anyone desires to keep repeating. Here’s how to avoid it:
- Always Add Buffer Time: Factor in traffic, extra security checks, and unexpected delays like a rideshare that can't find you or they may take you to the wrong terminal. Aim to arrive earlier than you think is necessary. If you arrive early, use the time to chill in the lounge or a bar and have a snack. Read a book.
- Pack the Night Before: Don’t leave last-minute packing for the morning of your flight. Pack everything, even your toiletries before. Have extra stuff packed in a travel bag for your toiletries so you don't use the same stuff at home as you travel. This gives you the option to have travel-size everything.
- Plan for Rush Hour: If your flight coincides with peak traffic, leave earlier or book a rideshare the night before.
- Stay Calm Under Pressure: Losing your temper won’t make the line move faster. Practice patience—it might just get you through. Breathe and pay attention to your body language. Sometimes, security might interpret your panic as someone guilty of something, and they may delay you in making sure you are not a harm to other passengers.
- Consider Travel Insurance: Missing a flight is costly. Insurance can help recoup some of those losses.
- Changeable Tickets: Consider booking tickets that allow you to change the flight without losing your ticket or paying too much for the change. This at least gives you the flexibility when needed.
A Final Thought
Ultimately, The Latecomer made it onto the flight, like a baseball player sliding to base or a cricket player sliding to their wicket. Sure, they arrive disheveled and frantic, but that's okay. Their story serves as a cautionary story for all of us. Travel is unpredictable, and while some things are out of our control, good planning can protect you from the mess of last-minute scrambles.
And if you ever find yourself running through the airport like Road Runner with a Wile-e-Cayote behind, remember this: It’s all temporary. The flight will take off, the panic will fade, and you’ll have one fantastic story to tell. Everybody gets a laugh!
Safe travels, my friends. ✈️
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