Airports, Airplanes, and Stuff

There is something about arriving at an airport that runs a chill down the spine. To deposit one's hind quarters on an airplane seat is enough of a user-unfriendly process, to which one must add the unpredictable yet certain glitches.

In this instance, as the clerk handed us our boarding pass for Mexico City he advised us our connecting flight to Ixtapa had no available seats. But not to worry because we had been placed on Stand-By. In the nicest terms I could muster I summarized the news to make sure I grasped it accurately, "So we will possibly have to wait in the Mexico City airport anywhere from 24 hours to 24 days? This is surprising news considering we purchased our tickets eight months ago."

"There is nothing I can do about it ... unless you wish to speak to my supervisor."

"Now there's a conversation that might be worth having."

The manager was (figuratively speaking) an earthquake-proof masonry wall registering 40 degrees below zero. All reasoning and appeals died on contact. Recalling that I too once was a manager I stressed that my disappointment was not with her personally, I understood it was not her fault, I understood she did not have unlimited authority over all airline problems, but I would be deeply grateful if she would do whatever her influence permitted. I am convinced at this point I detected a sliver of a smile. She made a phone call, told me she had communicated with Mexico City, and they are now expecting us. "That is all I can do or say at this point." I thanked her.

Navigating the Mexico City airport can be stressfully confusing. We arrived at the luggage carousel and were immediately approached by a very friendly and kind security guard who said, "You must be looking for your bags. Please follow me. I will help you." He not only found them, he invited us to follow him as he wheeled them to the place where they would be conveyed to our connecting flight. I did not observe any other security guard acting similarly.

Next he said, "Come, please, I will take you to where you will get your next boarding pass." On the way I asked him his name. He showed me his ID badge: "Angel." Just as I thought. What a streamlined experience. We looked at our boarding pass. Seats: First Class.

Were both things arranged by the Montreal manager? If this was a movie, maybe. The First Class seats? Likely. As for Angel, at the end he said he was very happy to have helped us and he would accept a tip if offered. I was delighted to comply because although he helped us hoping for money, it was abundantly clear he was not helping only for money.

Flying from Mexico City to the sea-level town of Ixtapa involves a 40 minute descent of 7,382 feet. I discovered such a flight is economical since the aircraft can and does simply glide a good deal of the way. What a wonderful experience that is!