Problem Solving on the Fly

Recently I was in the airport and faced with a dreaded airline delay.

ugggg

When it comes to traveling, either flying or a road trip, being a milspouse has heighten my problem solving skills. I'm sure many of us feel like we are actually getting super powers when it comes to problem solving. As milspouses we are used to things changing at a moments notice and we are forced to "improvise, adapt and overcome".

The delay went something like this:

While at the El Paso airport the dreaded "delayed" came across the monitor next to my flight. DFW was having high winds and they were not allowing planes to land. My 9am flt was pushed back to 130. Faced with 7 hours to kill, I decided I'd head over to Ft. Bliss and check it out. I rented a car (Dollar - under $25 bucks) which was cheaper than a cab ride and headed on my mini-adventure. When I returned to the airport later that day I discovered DFW had been closed. Closed as in no flights in or out.

Not good.

While I made my way down the AA line to the ticket agent there were a TON of disgruntled passengers. Even the local news station had a camera step up interviewing people. Once I figured out where my bag that I checked earlier in the day was (with the help of a soldier who was in front of me), I ran into a lady who was completely distraught. "What am I going to do?? she said. "Where am I supposed to stay?", "I don't have a credit card.".... I actually felt really bad for this woman and tried to calm her down and give her some suggestions. She was easily in her late 30's, early 40's.

Being a milspouse, I quickly used my problem solving super skills (don't you just love airforcewife). I rescheduled my flight via phone vs. waiting in that mile long line, recovered my rental car and drove back to my family's place to spend the night. (If I needed a hotel, my first choice would have been billeting/tvq/inn, last resort a place with room service.)

I actually think as milspouses we are more adventurous than "the average bear". Take armywifetoddlermom, for example. Her husband is TDY and she decided to take a road trip with kids in tow. Juggling hotel check-in, bags, bathroom breaks, navigating the roads....etc it can all be quite daunting, But it CAN be done!

From taking a change of clothes in your carry-on when on a flight, or shipping a box with all your items ahead of time to avoid baggage check, to bringing snacks and drinks for the kids, these are just little "think ahead" tips that make traveling easier.

This is the time of year for Spring Break's and planning summer trips (not to mention PCS moves), so I'm thinking this topic is very timely.

Do you have a travel story where you overcame murphy's law? Has being a milspouse helped you "improvise, adapt and overcome" during a trip?

Comments

[Kath]

Great post Navy Wife - I'd like to think we are more adventurous!
On a much more serious note, I ask that anyone reading this please pray for the Royal Navy sailors and the Royal Marine Commandos who have been captured by Iran.

[LAW]

having had my bags go on more than one long trip without me or at least to a different country, and having travelled since I was 18 months old, I'm glad my former stewardess mom (that's what SHE calls it) always made sure that everyone had one change of underwear, a tshirt, blouse/shirt and socks in the carryon. Now that we can't carry on lotion etc., that's the only thing I would change from my usual packing format.

LAW

[Jenn H]

Not too long ago while my milspouse was deployed to Iraq, the kids and I flew home for Christmas ...
I overslept and missed my ride for the 6:00am flight (woke up at 5:20am), but the kids and I managed to be at the ticket counter by 5:45am. Alaska Air was willing to hold the flight until the point when I realized my photo ID was MIA.
I found my ID at 6:01am, at which point the plane was gone and I was completely freaked!
The ticket agent was wonderful; after hearing my kids comment that "if Dad wasn't in Iraq, he would have made sure we were up on time," she thanked me and both kids for our service and sacrifice to our country, and offered up her hope of a speedy and safe return for my spouse. She then rebooked my entire flight at no extra cost, and we arrived home only 3 hours later than had we caught our flight.

It was quite a harrowing adventure for us, but one that's brought out during all family functions now.
Needless to say, I'll always fly that airline!

[JillArmy]

I was once in the same spot. Travel delay because of snow in NC. I was flying home from the west coast. Actually meeting my inlaws for the first time. I (alone) had to introduce them to thier daughter in law and first grandchild who was 4 months old. Thats another story but not too unfamiliar to a milspouse. I wonder how many milspouses never met thier inlaws before they got married. I digress. So here I was on a plane with an infant. We got diverted because of the snow and landed at DFW instead of Fayetteville. The airline was great and was putting everyone up in a hotel and paying for meals etc. Being a new mom I was a bit panicked, especially because during the trip out there this cute little infant went through 8 diapers and four outfits! Oh the poop was crazy! I had a car seat but not a days worth of diapers or anything. So being a resourceful military spouse I convinced the airlines it would be cheaper for them if they rerouted me through San Antonio, where I had family. So they did and I stayed with my sister for two days before getting back to NC. It worked out great.

[Kel]

When Dh graduated from Basic, he wanted me to be there with our 3.5 yr old 13 mo old and 2 week old daughters. So I packed up our lil car and set out on a 36 hours cross country trip by myself. It was nto the easiest thign to do being the first time i had ever driven on interstates and i was going cross country i had never had to deal with a rest stop alone with 3 small children and keep my eyeballs swiveling in my sockets to make sure they all stayed put and no one was trying to grab anyone. I made it there safe in sound in about 40 hours with the car accident that happened right infront of me.. I got there got my husband handed him the keys and said.. i am NOT driving for a month!.

[Jennifer]

I was flying back to Georgia after a trip to California to visit my family. Hubby was a drill sergeant and was in cycle, so he couldn't come with me. It was just me and my 5 month old son. Being a veteran flyer, I thought I would be prepared for anything. Well, my son decided to poop through his clothes, onto my pants, shirt, and seatbelt somewhere over the midwest. I was mortified!! Of course the plane bathrooms don't have changing tables, so I had to clean him up in the tiny bathroom by laying him across the toilet lid, trying not to get it on anything else. I of course had plenty of extra clothes for him, but in an effort to save room in the carryon, I didn't have any for me. And the plane was completely full, so they couldn't even move me to a clean seat. The gentleman next to me was a life-saver, though, he was kind enough to hold my son (after I cleaned him up!) so that I could try and clean myself and my seat up as much as possible. I spent the next 3 hours smelling like baby poop, and when my husband picked me up at the airport, he looked at me and said, "what's all over your clothes?" ARRGGGHH!!! I finally got my luggage and was able to change clothes before we left for the 2 hour drive home!

[Kel]

ok i have to laugh jenifer.. that had to be a mortifying situation but i have been pooped on in public with no change of clothes and I just had to bust up laughing when i read this.. your a trooper girl..i couldnt imagine being on a confined plane with no windows to open..lol

[Jennifer]

Yeah, it was an experience I'll never forget!! And I do laugh about it now!