Airport encounters

Jack and I took a hotel room near the airport to make the morning drive short. We still had to get up at 4:30 a.m. The in-room coffee maker wasn’t working, so I was operating on a caffeine deficit. No matter – we’d arrive at the airport three hours ahead of our flight. Plenty of time to grab an overpriced breakfast and a decent cup of coffee. I compulsively checked our passports. Aside from being late for the plane, losing my travel documents is my biggest fear.

The terminal was quiet when we arrived. We wandered over to the easy-to-use kiosks. Following step-by-step instructions, everything went well. Until it didn’t. The machine hesitated, slowly spat out one luggage tag and then flashed an ominous message on screen: “Unable to complete your request. Please see an agent.”

We approached a smartly dressed woman who looked like she knew stuff. Her confident smile faded as we explained our predicament. “You’ll have to see an agent,” she said. Her gaze indicated a lengthy queue which led to six desks where only two people were working.

Waiting people

Progress was excruciatingly slow. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, checked our passports again and tried not to think about being caffeine deprived. I looked around for a friendly face. A shared smile always lightens the moment.

A couple about our age stood next to us. She manoeuvred a beat-up guitar case alongside her well-used luggage, while he pushed an enormous piano case covered in travel stickers. “Looks impressive,” said Jack with a laugh.

Her face lit up. “Musician,” she said. “Can’t leave home without his instruments. Thank goodness he doesn’t play the tuba.” We chatted for a few minutes until the line separated us.

Behind me stood a young couple. The man had a baby strapped to his chest in a wrap-around carrier. Above chubby cheeks, her huge brown eyes peered curiously at me. A soother bobbed in and out of her mouth. “I like your carry-on,” I said. “Is she always so happy?”

Baby grinned behind the soother as if she understood the question. “Mostly,” said Dad.

Fifteen minutes later, the little one began fussing inconsolably. “Sorry,” said the weary mom.

“She’s just saying what we’re all thinking,” I said.

No time

Finally through that line, we headed for security – another queue as long as the most popular ride at Disney. Jack’s knee set off the metal scanner. Then our carry-on was flagged for further inspection – too much toothpaste in one bag and a pair of nail scissors in my purse. With ten minutes left until boarding, we hurried to the departure gate. All hopes of a quick coffee evaporated as we passed long lines at Tim Horton’s. I felt like a contestant on The Amazing Race.

Frazzled, I plunked into my seat and heaved a sigh of relief. “How was your morning?” asked a familiar voice. I looked up to see my friend, who works as a flight attendant, her smile a sight for sore eyes.

Within minutes of take off, she appeared with hot coffee and a couple of first-class breakfast trays – like a ministering angel in an airline uniform. It’s true – a friendly face (and a cup of coffee) can do wonders. Blessings are all around in any situation. You just have to know where to look.