How to Handle a Canceled Flight

We’ve all been there. Your flight is canceled or delayed and you’re going to miss your meeting, delay the start to your vacation or for me, miss picking up my daughter from preschool. Now, that wouldn’t be a big deal if The Husband had not left for a business trip an hour BEFORE my flight was supposed to arrive back in Denver. As frequent travelers we do that. However, I have a rule that one of us must be on the ground in Colorado until the other arrives; clearly my rules don’t apply to him.SavvySugar recently posted Four Steps to Handle a Canceled Flight. The first two – Call the Airline Directly and Be Flexible and Persistent – were natural reflexes for me, especially when thinking of Princess One being the last kiddo a school, tear streaked face, crying that I wasn’t there to get her. (Um, yes thinking back to when I was a kid and someone  – ok both my parents on more than one occasion – forget to pick me up…)As I sat on my first flight that day knowing I was going to miss the connection I called India.Actually United’s customer service number. I was immediately rebooked on the next flight leaving out of Chicago O’Hare. Wonderful, or so I thought. That flight was canceled when I arrived in Chicago.As I stood in Chicago O’Hare in front of four, yes FOUR people at the United desk trying to get rebooked (without success) I called India again. My new best friend on the other end of the line proceeded to rebook my flights and even “held” a spot for me on the last flight back into Denver just in case I missed the connection. Yes, my one connection flight turned into three. I got home but not until after midnight. As for Princess One, well just thank God I have good friends who will help out. She had more fun hanging out with them than she would have with a tired, worn out traveling mom. Although the hug and “I’m so glad you’re home” made the day a little better. Just like a fraction of a fraction. Let’s be real.Check out all the tips SavvySugar posted: 4 Steps to Handle a Canceled Flight.