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Making the Connection

I did not know how fast I was walking and I did not care. All I knew was that I had a connection to make . . . and I was not going to miss it. I arrived at the gate just in time to see the boarding door closing. What was I going to do? This was the last flight of the day. It had been a long day and I really wanted to get back home. Now I was not sure I would.

My day had begun around 8a.m. when I arrived at the Phoenix airport for my 10a.m. flight to Atlanta. Because of a great fare, I had purchased a ticket that included a connection in Detroit. It had been very much out of my way, but the fare was better than anything else I could find. My return flight had a two hour layover in Detroit, plenty of time (I thought) to make my connection. I did not anticipate a three hour delay in the Phoenix airport because of a malfunctioning airplane. By the time everyone was on the plane, it was after 1p.m.

When the plane landed, I briskly walked down the jet way and into the terminal, glancing at my watch along the way. I knew I as running late. I just did not know how late. It was 7:45p.m. My flight to Atlanta was scheduled to leave in less than five minutes. My gate, of course, was at the other end of the terminal. Immediately, I picked up my pace, until I was nearly running down the pathway. I arrived at the gate nearly breathless, just as the jet way door was slamming shut. Two other people, both of whom I recognized from the first leg of my flight, were already standing there. The desk agent approached, glanced at the three of us and asked, “Are you on this flight?” The three of us just nodded affirmatively as the desk agent contacted the flight crew. After a few minutes, the agent reopened the jet way door and allowed us to board.

As soon as I stepped onto the plane, I saw that all of the other passengers were seated, ready to depart. The flight had been held up for me and the other two passengers. Somewhat embarrassed, I avoided making eye contact with other passengers, instead walking briskly down the aisle to my seat. I slipped into the row, pushed my carry-on items under the seat and sat down, finally ready to leave . . . and ready to be home.

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