I was traveling today for a Beta Alpha Psi conference I am speaking at tomorrow. I was so proud of myself for checking in online last night so that I didn't have to do it when I got to the airport today. Unfortunately, there is no gate information on your boarding pass when you check in that early. So, upon arriving at the airport, I quickly checked the monitors and saw that the flight to Santa Ana leaving at 11:25 was flying out of gate C 18. I didn't really need to rush so I casually made my way through security and on to the gate just in time for boarding to begin. At that point, I realized something was amiss. This was not my airline! What are the chances that two different airlines would depart for the same destination at the EXACT same time? If you are familiar with Sky Harbor Airport, you will understand my panic when I realized that I now had to get to gate A 30 before boarding was completed. The airport is set up as a giant square with very long walkways between concourses. Of course the gate I needed to be at was on the exact opposite corner of the square from where I was, and the only way to get there was to walk to the B gates and then to the A gates. Of course, a couple of the moving sidewalks were not in operation, and I was wearing heels because I didn't want to pay to check my bag and I was trying to conserve space! Of course, I got to the gate after the boarding had closed. Luckily, the activity I was supposed to participate in this afternoon at the conference did not require my participation, but I was still bummed to miss it. So, I made my way to the customer service desk and was happy to be the first person in line. Just then a woman went up to the counter and asked the agent if she had any scissors she could borrow because her dog's fur had been caught in the zipper of her carrier and it was stuck. The agent informed her that they are not allowed to have any sharp objects beyond the security checkpoint and that she should go back out to the other side of the checkpoint to see if anyone could help her. All the while, I could hear the poor little dog whimpering. So, I got out of line and offered to help the lady try to free her dog from it's carrier. After struggling with it for a couple of minutes, I remembered that I had a disposable razor in my carry-on bag. Luckily, the lady was able to hold the piece of fur taut while I shaved it and we finally cut right through it. The dog immediately jumped out of the carrier and into my lap as if to thank me! The lady was very grateful and thanked me profusely before going on along her merry way. At that point, I turned around to see that there were about 30 people in line whose flight was being re-routed! So, I got in line, still feeling good that I had rescued the poor little dog at least. :) I was able to get on the next flight that left about three hours later, so I just hung out in the airport waiting for my flight, which then was delayed about an extra half an hour. Imagine my relief when I finally got on the plane! Well, my joy lasted for about three minutes until the little boy directly behind me decided to randomly scream the shrillest scream I've ever heard - not just once, but repeatedly. Then when the flight attendant came by and informed the mother that she would have to put him in his own seat for take-off, the screaming was embellished to include hysterical crying in between the shrill screams. This went on for about 15 minutes, until mercifully he finally stopped. Until it was time to prepare for landing and he was forced back into his own seat again. Boy, was I glad to finally get off that plane! I'm hoping that I've used up all my bad luck and the rest of my trip will be smooth sailing. We shall see . . .
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