when travel plans don't go your way: 5 tips

Ugh. I just got back from Seattle. 

Don't get me wrong. It was an amazing trip. However, the air travel back home was anything but spectacular. In fact, it may have quashed my travel bug for a while (at least for a weekend or two).

On the return flight home, the Man Friend and I were delayed 4 1/2 hours on the initial leg of our journey for various reasons. The hiccup caused us to miss our scheduled connection home. Since it was the last flight of the day, the Man Friend and I were waylaid in Houston for an evening. However, we had just stepped out of the secured area when we heard the announcement that connecting flight had actually been delayed...and that meant that our checked luggage was headed home without us. 

This made for a perfect meltdown moment. However, we just did the best we could considering the circumstances. The entire situation even gave me this idea for a blog post. So I present your 5 ways to keep your cool when travel plans don't go your way...or how not to lose your shit when your plans go to shit.

This is me trying not to go into nuclear meltdown mode.

Gross airport pizza + a hotel room + Colbert = crisis dodged (kinda).

(1) Be Organized

Have reservation information, phone numbers, and other important information handy. The Man Friend and I had to call our bosses and the dog sitter to help us regroup due to the situation. I had to postpone appointments. But it was all there, so I wasn't too stressed about it.

(2) Stay Informed

Keep an eye on the monitors or an app to keep up with any changes. It's critical to stay on top of gate changes, flight delays, and weather conditions, to name a few. Don't be like us and assume that your connection has, in fact, taken off. Otherwise you get to eat cheap pizza in a cheap(ish) hotel room with no toiletries and the clothes you walked in with (but I'm not bitter about this...simply educated).

(3) Exercise Kindness & Patience

The people behind the ticket counter did not intentionally cause a mechanical malfunction on the plane. The customer service rep isn't a part-time rain goddess who sent the storms specifically to ruin your plans. The guy handling your baggage didn't decide that today is the day for the software to eff up. These people are just doing their jobs...and I can guarantee they're going to be a lot nicer to you if you don't act like a jackass. Their day is going just as spectacularly shitty as yours is, but they're not screaming at you over it.

(4) Carve Out A Little Time For Yourself

Find a corner with a charger and camp out for a bit (but please don't be an outlet bandit). Read a book. Play a game. Work a little. Enjoy a cocktail (though not too many, or the powers that be won't allow you to get on the plane). Enjoy a healthy meal. Download a great album. Basically do whatever you have to do to keep it together.

(5) Always Allow For A Cushion

Delayed travel can incur costs. However, it's a good rule of thumb to budget a few hundred dollars as a backup plan for extra food and accommodations in case you do get stuck. While it's nice to have the "extra" at the end of a trip, it's also important to not starve or sleep on the streets. A financial CYA can make coping with an already stressful situation a little bit easier.

BONUS TIP - As my mom always reminds me when I'm flipping out...it's only temporary. You will not be allowed to move in at the airport and people will most likely notice your absence after a while.

Happy travels, y'all!

p.s. - be sure to check back this week for the FUN highlights of our Seattle trip!