When the high flying go-getter really gets going

In an earlier column, I explained how a go-getter moves with resolute determination and at a frenetic pace to achieve things — even if sometimes the things don’t need achieving — and how I become a hard core go-getter when I fly.

I outdid myself on a recent United Airlines flight from Chicago to New York from where I was catching a connection to Singapore. At the gate, we were told that our flight, scheduled to depart at 5 pm, was delayed by 90 minutes, meaning we would land in Newark airport at 9.30 pm.

We could make it for our 11 pm connection but as the famous saying goes, a delayed flight often gets delayed more, so I was worried… as were the other passengers on the same connection. But while they merely stood in a group and discussed their predicament, I acted. Swiftly scanning the flight information, I found another United Airlines flight leaving at 5.30 pm for New York’s La Guardia airport. I grabbed my hand luggage and ran to the gate at the other end of the airport, arriving there panting after a 10-minute jog. I joined the last five standby passengers in queue. By the time I got my breath back, only two were ahead of me. I asked the lady in front of me how long it would take to travel from La Guardia airport to Newark airport by taxi.

“Why don’t you simply fly directly to Newark airport?” she asked.
“Long story. Flight delayed. Need to make connection.” I was curt because one, she didn’t really need this information and two, the person ahead of her was almost done, “Just tell me how long it will take.”

“Perhaps an hour,” she said vaguely.

I started calculating in my head: land at 8.30 pm, one hour taxi ride…

“Sir, we’re about to close the doors,” the agent said, “I have a seat. Do you want it?”

“Yes!” I said. (Go-getters make momentous decisions in a split second much to the awe of the people around them.)

I trotted into the aircraft and found my seat. Immediately the doors closed, the aircraft started moving and I started congratulating myself on my quick running and firm decisiveness. I was still congratulating myself when the aircraft came to a stop after 10 minutes. 15 minutes later, I stopped congratulating myself: it was 6 pm.

At 6.10, the flight attendant announced that there was “an unforeseen delay and we’ll be stuck here for a while - sorry!”

In shock, I approached her.

“I have a connection at 11 pm at Newark!” I cried.

“But this flight goes to La Guardia!” she cried in return, “Why didn’t you take the direct flight to Newark?”

“That flight was delayed.”

“Well, now this one is,” she said and laughed. I could see nothing funny in the situation. In a cold voice I asked her to check with the captain when our flight to might take off.

“Why don’t you talk to him directly, Sir? I’m sure he’ll enjoy the joke too.”

Still giggling, she escorted me to the pilot’s cabin. I explained my predicament to the captain.

“We’re all ready to fly,” he said, “But there’s some union-enforced slowdown in La Guardia, so all flights are delayed. We’re now scheduled to depart at 7 pm.”

“Oh no!” I said, “What about my original 5 pm flight to Newark? That was delayed by 90 minutes, but with this union trouble, it will be stuck for a long, long time, right?”

“The union situation is only at La Guardia; Newark is fine. Here’s your flight…” he pointed to his computer screen, “… It has been cleared for take-off and should be taxiing out any minute now.”

We finally landed at La Guardia at 9.30. I sprinted to the taxi stand by 9.45 and, by promising him $50 extra if he made the journey in one hour, got the cabbie to drive like the devil. We made it in 55 minutes but the aircraft doors had closed with my fellow passengers — who had exhibited no initiative, no gumption, no velocity, none of the go-getter’s traits — safely inside.

As an accomplished go-getter on flights, I’ve reconciled myself to seldom being rewarded for my glorious efforts, but to actually be punished like this? That rankles.

Paddy Rangappa is a freelance writer based in Singapore. Read more on his blog: http://theflip-side.blogspot.com