Let's Talk Travel

Let’s talk travel.  I hear it from seniors all the time.
“I want more time to travel.”
“When I retire, I intend to travel.”
“Finally I will be able to explore and travel.

As I write this blog, I am sitting in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Charlotte was not my destination; it was a connecting city for my trip overseas.  So, why am I here?

Because:  I left home and everything was go.  The airport was not very crowded, security did not flag me for an extra look, and the flight out was on time.  There were storms in the area but they did not seem to be too threatening.

Then: Twenty minutes out of Charlotte, the pilot announced that there was a ‘popup’ storm that included lightening, and the tower asked us to circle for a bit.  The storm intensified, and soon our fuel was running low.  We had to be diverted to a nearby airport to wait out the storm.

At first, we all thought it was a quick mover.  You know summer storms, they come and they go.  However, it was more than three hours later that we were finally able to make the 20 minute flight to Charlotte.

Upon arrival we were greeted with the chaos of missed and cancelled flights, and certainly the maybe of “Oh, if I run to the gate, I still may be able to get on and get out.”  Long story short, the doors to my flight were closed, and along with several other people I was turned away and told to make other plan.

That is why I am sitting in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  My message?  Travel is fun; travel is interesting; travel is educational, and travel can be hard.

How to best deal with travel at any stage – especially in the retirement years?  Here are a few hints:

• Be resilient. Accept that your plans will change, and often you may have to compromise to find a solution. If something goes smoothly, consider yourself lucky.
• Try to be in good physical condition. Your gate is not always close by, especially if you are transferring..
• Have a positive outlook. It helps no one if you complain over and over.  People will be quicker to help you if you give them a smile and a thank you.
• Be patient.  The lines can be long, the security may choose you at random, and looking annoyed will only make it take longer.

Those are just a few hints.  That said, even with my delays and rescheduling, here is why I am grateful. 
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1. I was able to get a hotel room (Many people had to sleep in the airport – on a chair!)
2. There was a seat on the same flight on the next day (and the weather is supposed to be better).
3. I was told my luggage would be rerouted so it will travel with me - and I think it is.

So, as summer and retirement and vacation time comes your way, you'll have smoother sailing when you come mentally and physically prepared to go with the flow and be a travel champion. 
 
Bon voyage!
Loretta