Dr. Shelly Arneson Author and Consultant
  • Home
  • Blogs and News
  • Workshops
  • Consultation
  • Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Information
  • Dissertation
Picture

Happy Communicating
​

I'm just glad I made her day!

4/24/2014

0 Comments

 
We have all heard the stories of dumb questions airline passengers ask:
*"Can I get some fresh air?  Why can't I open the window?"
*"Can you turn down the engine noise?  I'm trying to read." 
*"Why did the engine stop?" (when the pilot reduces power after take-off)
*"Can you make the baby stop crying?" (I really do get that crying babies set many travelers on edge but what is the flight attendant supposed to do?)
And the ever-popular "Do you know who I am?" to which I have heard a flight attendant reply, "No, but I hope you do."

I am certain these and many others provide fodder for water-cooler talk for airline employees.
Well, I am happy to report I am now one of the many statistics for dumb questions asked.  And....I'm so happy, I'm going to share it with you.
After working in San Antonio the other day, I was scheduled to travel back to Tucson, AZ that evening via a connecting flight in Houston.  My layover in Houston was only 50 minutes, and since I finished work in San Antonio earlier than expected, I hoped to hop on an earlier flight to Houston for added "cushion".  The representative at the ticket counter said, "It looks like it's a full flight but head to the gate and see if you can fly stand-by at the last minute."  
"Great. Thanks!" I said and I took off towards the gate.

As I approached the gate at which the earlier flight was about to board, I asked the gate agent, "Any chance I can get a seat on this flight?  I am supposed to be on the later one but it would help a bunch if I could get there sooner to avoid a tight layover."  The gate agent smiled and said, "I can put you on stand-by but the odds aren't great."  
I asked, "The flight is full?"
She replied, "No, actually, there are 50 seats but it's weight-restricted to 35 folks."
I actually thought for a minute before I asked, but I had to do it.  "I'm curious. How do they know they need to weight-restrict it?  Do you already know there are going to be some heavy folks on board?"  
Without missing a beat, she busted up laughing.  (good grief!) She slapped her thigh, even, and said, "That is literally the funniest thing I've heard in months.  That is so cute!"  She paused to wipe a tear from her eye and then said, "I've got to tell Jenny" and turned around to the other gate agent to tell her how hilariously stupid I am.  
Meanwhile, I still didn't know the answer to my question, although I had a sneaking suspicion my guess was incorrect. 
The gal who had just provided Jenny with the best story of the month finally came back to me and said, "So, no, they don't know the weights of the passengers.  They just have a lighter load of fuel this trip so they can't fill the flight."  
Ah! Makes sense!  

Suffice it to say, I got on that flight. I think they made sure they made room for the crazy lady who gave them the best laugh of the month.
For myself, I am grateful to provide that workday humor and hope we can all be as gracious!  :)

Just for today, I am hopeful you can find humor in all that you do.

Happy Communicating!

Shelly

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Shelly Arneson

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from Tjeerd, Johnragai-Moment Catcher, UnknownNet Photography, Mr. Bombdiggity, wuestenigel, quinn.anya, Chocolate Geek, Jorbasa, Leonard J Matthews, JefferyTurner, Golf Resort Achental, fabola, www.ilmicrofono.it, m01229, Heinrich Plum, Titanic Belfast, Strocchi, Cultural viewpoints from around the world, katrienberckmoes, fabola, susivinh, fourcroft, Sweet Dreamz Design, usarjnco, Eldriva, symphony of love, cordalth, boellstiftung, David Holt London, maryjohum, Tony Webster, Rich.S., ZK-OJQ, davidmulder61, garryknight, ChrisPerriman, mrkrndvs, goatling, YellowstoneNPS, Frederick Homes for Sale, Mary_on_Flickr, yourbestdigs, Dean Hochman, guillenperez, Janitors, rachaelvoorhees
  • Home
  • Blogs and News
  • Workshops
  • Consultation
  • Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Information
  • Dissertation