Getaway

Well, I did it. I had another travel adventure. Our blog is called Coming Home, but seems like lately I’ve been leaving it quite a bit. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, though, right? I actually just heard a woman in the airport tell another person that she purposely goes away a few days every month, “just to clear the air…otherwise, I could not do what I do.” Amen, sister! I agree. I think that is my philosophy, too.
After my farming stint, I needed a break. Rich and I had been planning our getaway for quite awhile.
Rich is an airline pilot, and I tag along with him on his trips sometimes, especially when he has a long layover in an exotic location.
We arrived in paradise and had a fabulous time! Hydrotherapy, amazing lunch buffet, Japanese restaurant where the chefs give a show as they cook, Las Vegas show, yummy breakfast buffet with a beachside view, massage, and sailing…it was a short but full break!
The plan was for both of us to go home the next evening, Rich would be home a day, but then would have to leave the next evening for work. He would work on the farm and in the woodshop during his short time home.
That all changed as I met him after getting off the plane in Chicago. He had to work that night! A flight to New York.
Okay, I would try and follow him and have an afternoon in New York the next day before heading home. We decided we would work on the website that day.
I didn’t think there would be room for me on the plane, but there was! I boarded, but sensed that something was wrong. Several of the passengers seemed frustrated. It turned out to be a large extended family who was on their way to the funeral of the family patriarch. Some family members were running through the airport, trying to catch the flight, and those on the plane were concerned that they might not make it in time, and they weren’t sure if the crew would wait for their family.
They found out that one of the pilots was my husband, and they shared their story with me. I told them I would make sure that they knew. The flight attendant assured me that yes, they knew, and they were waiting. The family was relieved. Despite the traumatic reason for their trip, they seemed to be a close, loving family who seemed to enjoy each other even in the midst of their pain. I was glad to help, even though it was a small thing I did.
After all this, the flight was delayed. My husband came back and shared his condolences. He and the crew also kept in contact with the passengers, letting them know why we were delayed. This went a long way in calming the travelers, and was good customer service.
I recently read in the book Platform, by Michael Hyatt, that staying in tune with your customers, and doing everything you can to make something right when something goes wrong, is super important.
We try to do that with our customers. We aren’t perfect, but we try. And we will keep trying to improve and do our best to make our customers happy.
After the bittersweet experience with this family, we landed, Rich even gave the grieving widow a hug. We waited by the curb in New York, listening to angry car horns. The bus driver who was to take the crew to the hotel was not in his bus. He finally came to his vehicle, and seemed to have excuses for why he was late. He actually got in an argument with one of the crew members! I thought, “Wow! That is not good customer service! This is the opposite of what just happened in the airplane.”
Customers are not the enemy! They are the reason we are in business! The customer is always right…that’s what I’ve always heard. We need to do our best to meet their needs. And if we can’t, we need to communicate and empathize with them as much as we can. Business is about making money, yes, but by giving excellent customer service, mutually helping each other.
The next day was another whirlwind of activity. After a leisurely breakfast, we took a quick walk to Times Square, as we were staying in Manhattan. I got caught up in the busyness and crowds. I loved getting lunch from a food cart, and then walking past all the local businesses, seeing Sax Fifth Avenue, the diamond district, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, all the signs advertising upcoming shows and musicals, the long line of people waiting to buy tickets to the latest event, and the Jewish men in black with hats and beards, sharing their faith.
The “vacation” sadly came to an end as we made our way back to the airport. I kissed my hubby goodbye and now I am sitting on an airplane that is waiting to take off…really not sure if I will make it home tonight or not…uh-oh, I think I feel another “adventure” coming.