A few days ago I found myself in a familiar position—sitting aboard a Southwest flight. I had just spent a few days in Reno at the CA Association of Directors of Activities Convention with amazing educators who have dedicated their lives to empowering teens. It’s always an exciting and rewarding event. Still, I was looking forward to arriving at my next destination where I had made big plans.
Unfortunately the flight was delayed. The previous flight arrived late, so we started boarding 30 minutes late. I wasn’t especially worried as the flight from Reno to San Jose literally only takes a few minutes. I sometimes wonder if we could accomplish the same feat by sitting in a huge slingshot.
So there I sat, anxiously awaiting my next destination, but still wondering why the people around me had to complain. Yes, I know I get a bit frustrated or perhaps verbal when there are mechanical issues that should have been resolved earlier, but I don’t understand what any airline could do about weather. It seemed the passengers exhausted themselves with their minor delay frustrations by the time the cabin door closed and we were on our way. The flight attendants did the normal safety speech and sign language show and we proceeded to the runway. About the time I normally hear the captain say, “Flight attendants please take your seats,” I heard him say something different.
“Good evening there, uh, this is your captain. It appears that one of our through passengers from Chicago stepped off the plane. We’re going to go back to the gate to pick her up.”
Immediately the plane burst into sound—albeit not a pretty sound. People regained their complaining energy and the sarcasm towards Southwest began. Everyone instantaneously became an expert on flying and shared how every airline they’ve ever been on was better than their current carrier.
Right before the pilot instructed the flight attendants to open up the door, he popped on the loud speaker again and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I know we’re running late, but this is the last flight out to San Jose tonight and I just didn’t want to leave anyone behind.” The woman stepped onto the plane, embarrassed, and unfortunately walked to the only empty seat with the many of the passengers mocking her.
Later at baggage claim, I ran into a friend of mine who had been at the CADA Convention and who happened to sit next to the late passenger on the return flight. He told me she cried for the first few minutes of the flight. She spoke very little English and had been confused by the layover in Reno. She was worried she wouldn’t make it to her destination. My friend told me he went up to the pilot before exiting the plane and told him he made the right decision.
The pilot simply responded with “I know I did.” He was completed confident in his decision to turn a plane around filled with well over a hundred people to pick up one. He didn’t want to leave her behind and didn’t even blink in his decision. If only more of the world could live their lives on a daily basis with that degree of kindness.
I know recently I’ve been so consumed by destinations or the next step in my life. I find myself looking at my own self-manufactured schedules on which point I should “arrive” at certain places. This past weekend in San Jose, I found myself in a position I’m not used to: Instead of being comfortable in my metaphorical plane seat, I was the one struggling to get back on the plane. I was the one who felt a bit locked out.
Lucky for me, I have amazing friends who share the same mindset as that Southwest captain and who were totally willing to change any of their plans or turn their own “planes” around to make sure I wasn’t left behind. Instead of mocking me or any of the mistakes I made, they were there to offer the seat next to them. They were willing to drop anything to make sure I was not only on the plane, but that I felt okay about being on it. I’m simply amazed by their kindness.
So as I enter spring and my life becomes more packed with activities in the sun in addition to all my regular commitments and speaking engagements, I guess I’m just hoping that I too can be willing to turn the plane around, return to the gate, and make sure I don’t leave anyone behind. I hope you’ll be willing to do the same.