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Wrong Flight.
Submitted by: Ron Campbell
Prescott, ArizonaI am an 86-year-old retired engineer, having work for the Federal Government for 25 years. I retired in 1986 and looked forward to starting my own remodeling co. I wanted a non-profit organization. I found a niche in remodeling homes but I wanted to work with the younger generation of school kids. I moved from Green Valley, AZ to Prescott, AZ, built our home and then applied to the school system as a volunteer. Twelve years ago I started "Blankets 4 Kids" with my wife and it continues today.
The day started off like any other flight day from Tallahassee, Fl to Phoenix, AZ. The weather in Dallas was bad making my connection late. An American Airlines agent looked over my boarding pass, gave me the gate number, and told me to make a run for it. Getting to the gate was not a problem. I showed the agent there my boarding pass and she said that we have been waiting for you! Hustle down the ramp and get boarded.
As the plane started to taxi out, the pilot came on the loudspeaker saying, “The weather is supposed to be great, have a nice vacation in Costa Rica!” What? I was not supposed to be going to Costa Rica! I immediately called for the flight attendant, who notified the pilot. I was told to stay put after everyone had disembarked from the plane. Having just gotten a heart valve operation, I needed my medications after flying for 5 hours from Dallas. I later found out my suitcase with my meds in it was in Phoenix, and here I was in Costa Rica without my meds and no passport. I just knew I was going to jail.
Security personnel put me in a rolling chair, and when an AA flight became available, they sent me back to Dallas. Another 5 hour flight. Getting in at 10 pm, they put me up in a motel for the next morning’s AA flight out to Phoenix. My connection up to Prescott was a day earlier. My family members had to be notified! I did think for a little while without food or my meds, I might die, but The Universe took care of me.