You can always spot the car that’s just run a red light. It’s the only car on that side of the street bolting at mach speed, with a driver furtively scanning for police. Such is the mentality of the entitled business traveler at the airport, recovering from a delayed flight. It’s the waiting room of United SFO, notorious for fog-related delays, with a full operation of complainers in swing.
“UN-believable!” shouts a man in a suit, red face and bulging eyes possibly indicative of an untreated thyroid problem. “I have a meeting in LA in two hours and it’s YOUR fault if I miss it”
“I’m NOT flying into Long Beach. NO. You’re going to put me on the next flight to LA or –” Thyroid snaps back to his mobile, “Brian, these jerk-offs at United say my flight is delayed an hour and a half AT LEAST, excuse me–”
“If I have to pay for a ticket on another airline, which I will, I am invoicing YOU the cost”
And on. And on.
Oh yes, that delayed flight. What did we do? We stepped calmly to the desk, arranged a different flight, and settled into an email starting with “I’m so sorry I’m going to be late…” After all, what are the chances your new client is on the same plane?
We’ll just say it’s happened…