I Booked the Wrong Flight

Everyone knows it’s good travel sense to check into your flight the day before. That was exactly what I was trying to do the night before I left for Oregon. My friend Abigail already checked into her flight, and had instructed me to do the same. I pulled up my reservation with Alaskan Airlines, and a message popped up on screen.

“Passenger cannot be checked in until 24 hours before departure time,” I read, my brow furrowing.

“How can that be possible?” Abigail questioned. “Our flight is tomorrow morning.”

I bit my lip, my heart suddenly thumping faster in my chest.

“Look at the date,” I said quietly.

Instead of July 12th at 8:30 a.m., I had a flight scheduled for July 13th at 8:30 a.m.

Abigail drew a sharp breath.

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

The next morning came much too quickly. My parents insisted on driving me to the airport alongside Abigail, hoping I could work out some deal with the airline. I pushed my bag through the doors, feeling sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to delay the trip I had been saving for with my friends. I had spent two lifeguard paychecks on the airline tickets.

“I think that’s where you should go.” Abigail pointed to a bright blue sign that was for customer service.

“Yeah you’re right,” I muttered.

She squeezed my shoulder sympathetically

.

“I’ll see you after I check my bag,” she promised.

I waited in the customer service line for about twenty minutes. I listened to tales of lost luggage, and missed flights, and the pit in my stomach grew even bigger. At last it was my turn.

“Can I help you?” said a young man with horn-rimmed glasses.

I took a deep breath.

“I messed up.”

I became a big fan of Alaskan Airlines after this incident. The staff couldn’t have been nicer, and they were able to switch my flight for only a small fee. I called my parents, and they agreed to help me out.

Abigail jumped up and down with glee when I emerged from the line, and we both headed for security.

After an extremely hectic morning, I was on my way to Portland.