I should have picked up on the eerie, foreboding weather, but there was nothing that was going to keep me from making it to Kansas. I was on a mission. My sister had called me on a Tuesday morning with news of their final trip to Ethiopia, so I secured my flights before my last two days of work. This particular week had been rough for me with illness and a major tooth infection. The weather had been extremely foggy, more than I had ever seen and lasting most of the day. This trip out could be interesting. I had no idea.
My friend Tami offered to take me to the airport in Kenai that Wednesday evening, so I took her up on it. She gave me some warning that other friends of hers had not been able to fly out due to the fog. All that day I hoped the fog would lift, and in Soldotna, it had by late afternoon. I was excited until I drove home to this:
I was still hopeful. It only took 15 minutes or so for the fog to completely overtake my home and my hopes. As Tami took me to the airport, we discussed my options. Sure enough, the flights were grounded and we had to decide quickly which option I would take. Tami suggested I check out the one-way rentals. There was one available (an S.U.V. naturally) that would cost me about $300 to take and leave in Anchorage. Super. I called my superman husband for advice. After discussing the none-too-great options, we opted for the rental. As I was shelling out the big bucks, I also discovered that the drop-off for the car was not at the airport, or even close. Another fabulous development. As my trip was not turning out too smooth, I wrote down about 5 different cab company phone numbers to call once I got close to Anchorage. This was going to be an expensive trip!
I don't know what I would have done without Tami, as she also suggested I look for someone to split the fare and ride with me. I saw a nice-looking gentleman come into the airport and offered a shared ride. He double checked his canceled flight and we loaded up his gear in the back of our Expedition. Tami took down all his information (seriously a good friend!) and we took off! I was fortunate to discover that Bill and I were to become friends and it all went well - on the drive. He called a couple cab companies for me (glad I had several since a couple were not available), and I got him to the airport before I took off to find the drop off for the car.
We had made good time, and I wasn't late for my flight at all, but the fog was getting thicker in Anchorage now and I was unable to find the rental company. The cab driver called me to let me know he was there, and after driving around unsuccessfully, I called him back for directions. Finally, I saw the dimly lit sign, pulled in, and we got everything taken care of! Off to the airport I go!
I was a bit frazzled after all of this unplanned activity, so I was thrilled to have no line in front of the check-in desk. I checked my one bag, got through security and sat down at my gate with an hour to spare. Whew!
Then it happened.
"Will Melissa Teakell please come to the Continental check in desk, outside of security!"
What?!!!!
"Will Melissa Teakell please come to the Continental check in desk, outside of security!"
Oh no. What happened? I began to run, literally, back out to the check in - outside of security. About halfway there, it dawned on me: I forgot to declare the firearm I had in my luggage. Oh, this is bad. (For all those who are against personal firearms, you will enjoy this story, but please respect my constitutional right to carry. As much as you may be able to change my mind, you won't change my husband's, and he's more important to me, thus my decision to carry!) I had completely forgotten about this little item with all the fluster and I had no idea what would happen to me next. I made it to the desk, the clerk asked if I had a firearm, I said yes, and he sent me to the TSA station. When I arrived there, they seemed confused by my presence until the clerk came over to verify the situation.
Then it got worse.
I remembered that this certain item had other certain items included in it. I shared this information with the TSA agents immediately. They gave me a look that said, "Are you serious?!" and proceeded to tell me that I'd have to talk to the police about that. After the longest 3 minutes of my life passed, the police officer came over.
Is this really happening? Yup.
The officer began by speaking to the TSA agents, rather brusquely, and after a photo of my license and boarding pass I was walking with the officer to his office. I wasn't remotely tempted to cry. I didn't want to give any impression of manipulation, and I wanted to be extremely compliant and remorseful, which I was. I was intensely nervous and scared, and then the officer asked me when my flight left. I told him 12:30 AM (it was about 11:45), and he said that he'd try to get me on my flight.
Really?! I almost hugged him. Almost.
Again the minutes lasted hours as he printed out the paper that said that he was transferring possession back to me, without the other 6 items. He then took me quickly back to the check in counter where we filled out the declaration form, and then this amazing officer escorted me up to the front of the security line, but only after he had the front counter call the gate to make sure they didn't leave without me! I walked up to the gate as the last 20 people or so were boarding.
I didn't think I could be any more relieved or happy! I was wrong again!
As I stepped into the plane, I turned right to find my seat and realized that the numbers were too big for my seat assignment.
Oh, this could NOT be! IT WAS! I was in a first-class seat! I quickly turned and acted as though I knew exactly where I was supposed to go as I took my large and cushy seat! For the first time, I actually looked at my boarding tickets and saw my seat assignments. Oh yes, I had first class the entire way down! No wonder my tickets were so expensive! I really hadn't cared or looked until now!
As I relaxed into my chair, I almost cried! Almost. The flight attendant was bringing me my drink after all, and I needed to be receptive! I also tried not to exclaim in delight when they brought me my breakfast on a real plate with real silverware after they draped my tray table in a white cloth napkin. Now it makes sense that I didn't have to pay for my luggage in the beginning...!
After 3 flights, and being checked on by my new friend Bill on occasion, I finally landed in Wichita! This was not the drama I had desired, but for every hurdle I faced, the Lord helped me find a way through it so I could be there to help when my sister and her husband traveled to Africa to bring back their son!
