After nine months as a household of 5, we are back to four.
Last Sunday we brought Ky to the airport for his long awaited trip home. All five of us get up at 4am and make our way to Des Moines International Airport for the 6:23am flight. A quieter van ride you have not experienced. Fortunately my husband, also the driver, is a morning person. The rest of us can’t function more than flopping ourselves into a mini van seat for the purpose seeing our international student off and wishing him a pleasant trip home.
Blood Pressure Rises
We arrive at the airport around 5am to the unexpected. It is busy. My husband drops the rest of us off to get in line while he parks. The line moves quickly at first, so we have no worries in the beginning. But then, when we have only three parties in front of us, the line stops dead.
We wait… and wait. The old ladies in front of us decide they are in the wrong place and leave the line. Ok great, only two parties in front of us. The woman checking in at the counter hears her bags are over weight, so they sit in front of us wide open while she distributes the contents. Wow, what a spectacle. As she finishes up, the airline workers call anyone traveling to Denver to the front of the line. Unfortunately Ky’s layover takes place in Chicago.
The Denver goers seem to come in droves. Smiling travelers breathe a sigh of relief as they hustle to the front of the line. But we are sweating. The time approaches 6am and Ky’s flight leaves at 6:23am. About 20 minutes before, my husband encourages Ky to check in at the Kiosk, the free standing computer used for self check-in. But at the time Ky wants to wait in line. The time has come to force the issue.
We talk Ky into checking in at the Kiosk, promising to help him. So we all get out of line to take advantage of this option that will save the day. My husband types in flight numbers and letters, Ky scans his passport…we get a message on the screen that says “unable to process”. Must have typed something wrong. We try again only to get the same message. We turn around to look at the very long line still in place by the check in counter.
Panic Sets In
What would we do if this 15 year old kid missed his flight to Chicago? He has a flight to Hong Kong in early afternoon. He has not been home since last August. His parents bought this ticket in anticipation 4 months ago. Said parents currently sit in China, counting down the hours until they get to see their son. And Ky has been restless and antsy for two weeks, so excited to get home.
Looking at the long line, my husband’s frustration gets the better of him. He says “Follow me Ky”, and leads him to the counter where the airline workers check in flyers, the front of the long line. Ug.
Husband begins by apologizing to the family first in line. “I’m sorry, but this young man has been waiting for a long time. We have to get him checked in or he will miss his flight.” The front family didn’t make a fuss. But the airline workers behind the counter did.
“Sir, you will have to get in the back of the line,” the first United Airline worker said firmly. Husband proceeded with his plea. “I’m sorry but this young man has waited for over and hour. He will miss his flight. We tried to check in with the Kiosk, but it wouldn’t accept his passport.” The same worker asks him “Where is he flying to?” When my husband says Chicago, her patience runs thinner. “Sir, all of these people are going to Chicago and need to check in. He won’t miss his flight. Now get in the back of the line.”
Husband and Ky half hang their heads and shuffle to the back of the shortest line they could find. Since they had tried to check in at the Kiosk, husband feels them worthy of getting in the Kiosk line, where those who have already checked in by computer can check a bag. Fortunately, a different airport worker manages this line, and doesn’t give them a hard time when they reach the counter. Ky hasn’t been checked in at all, but the worker graciously takes all of his info and even applies his air miles to his dad’s account.
Whew….
By this time, it is just past 6am, and Ky’s flight leaves in approximately 20 minutes. I had previously pictured a sweet and wordy goodbye, but Ky still has to get through security with his carry on bag, and the other four of us are grumpy and stressed over the threat of running low on time.
So we each give him a quick hug, husband gives brief instructions about the security area, and we send him on his way. The four of us watch him go up the elevator and we breathe a sigh of relief. Not because he is gone, but because he will make it to Chicago on the ticket his parents bought months ago.
I walk away from the airport send off area feeling beat up. How do people who travel often for work or otherwise deal with these airports all the time? I don’t like all the people, the stress, the time constraints, and the attitudes. I say something to my husband about the negativity in the air. He kind of waves his hand like it is no big deal and says, “Oh that’s normal. If you want to see irritation rise and tempers flare, hang out at an airport.” I decide I will not.
So Ky’s flight reaches Chicago just fine. There he catches a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong. My phone receives a lovely picture the next morning of Ky standing in the midst of his family. Ahhh, the goal has been reached. Ky is home. Our family consists of four again.
See You Soon
But…just for the summer. Ky will spend 10 lovely weeks in China and return to Iowa in August as a high school sophomore. And that sophomore year will again be spent in our care. A few months ago we told him he is welcome to stay with us again next year if he so wishes. He didn’t seem to bat an eye, taking us up on the offer easily.
So Ky, we delight in the fact that you get time with your family. Your room here waits for your return. We will leave the light on for you. (So to speak. Please continue to turn it off when you aren’t in your room :).
