'Your flight has been cancelled.' After a two hour delay this is not what you want to hear. You run the gamut of emotions from total disbelief to anger and extreme distress.
In the case of flight B198, the airline felt that by offering the option of a full refund, hotel accommodation yet no guarantee of new flight; or the choice to identify an alternative carrier, they had met their obligations. The passengers disagreed. They had but one objective in mind, that all important flight, which in most cases involved visiting distant loved ones for Christmas.
We were second in the business class queue, processed pretty smartly and so had the opportunity to find an alternative flight. We negotiated first class seats to Brisbane. And despite an additional ten hour wait, it was a marvellous compensation for a year that for us had had many 'life challenges.' Others were not confident negotiators or early birds like us. In many cases, as first time travellers they did not know what to do or where to go. So once we had secured our flights, we headed back to the queues to assist them after all we had plenty of time to spare. And it clear to us that we could help other people get what they wanted - even if they did not know what that was themselves. With our assistance, many more passengers were booked on to flights. They were grateful. We felt like Santa's helpers.
What does my story illustrate? Well when you know exactly what you want you are much more likely to get it. Do you know what you want to achieve in 2010? Have you got it written down, dated and signed off? Who can help you get what you want? And conversely, who can you assist? (Browse previous newsletters stored on the Confidence Blog for tips and strategies on goal setting). The is also a whole chapter on goal setting in my book, "Love your life...".
It proved to be a trip of extremes. There were happy people who were upgraded and others, who faced uncertainty with delays of up to four days. There was chaos in the departure hall and quiet calm in the Emirates lounge. As we took off, snow now was falling in London. We landed in clear blue skies and 30 degrees.
Putting the delays and frustrations to one side - travelling first class is fab-u-lous. From the welcome glass of Moet and canapes to the outstanding facilities; it is truly fantastic. The Emirates cabin crew are superb, the a la carte menu is delicious, prepared to order, delivered on silver trays, served on linen cloths, with polished cutlery on fine bone china. The sleeping arrangements are five star quality right down to the massage option in the seat, which reclines into a flat bed with privacy screens. You are supplied your own toiletries and towels, slippers and pyjamas as you settle down for a peaceful sleep. In the transit lounge in Dubai you can experience free therapies and beauty treatments, as well as hospitality and surroundings that have to be experienced to be believed. Read how our daughter was also upgraded to first class with Quantas two years ago. It is a very different story (scroll down the IMU Blog to Friday 7th September, 2007).
There is a theme emerging here. Some may say we are lucky, especially when you think of the cancellations and delays experienced by travellers in UK prior to the holiday season this year. I think a lot has to do with knowing what you want and then going relentlessly towards it, whilst accepting that sometimes you may just have to settle for what you can get.
It is time to plan your goals for the year ahead. I know what I want in 2010. What about you? Do you seek clarity and confidence? Do you need a helping hand or a cheer leader? If so, then just send me a mail.
If you think I can help you, your colleagues or friends then do get in touch. Thank you.
Happy New Year and here's to 2010 being one to remember for setting and achieving your goals and dreams...
Comments
Great story, Eilidh.
I just love the way that you went back to help other passengers. That really is a WOW!
Interesting that you should talk about luck – something that I’ve been giving a lot of thought to lately.
I’ve always been incredibly lucky in all sorts of ways – family, business, health, raffles etc. But am I really more lucky than other people or do I just keep trying for longer? Am I lucky because I believe that I’m lucky???
Who knows?
What I do know is that I’m very lucky to be heading towards a fantastic year in 2010. It just feels that everything is in place and the time is right.
Through all the help that you give other people, I know that you are going to have a fantastic year too.
Stay lucky and I look forward to seeing you very soon.
30-Dec-2009 11:43 PM
You have outlined admirably the uncaring attitude of corporate organisations. They (corporates) consider the masses as mere pawns in their commercialised ventures. I would add central and local government to the list as the general public regularly suffers at the hands of incompetent administrators.
When you compare the average Brit to his/her European counterpart, particularly when havoc reigns at major airports, we remain calm under adversity, and uncomplaining. A typically British phenomenon which places us at a distinct disadvantage, when seeking redress at airports when all is in disarray. The Germans rate "complaining" as an art form, and I tend to agree. While we, the British, will queue methodically for hours we are reluctant to complain, even for a short while.
Unfortunately many of the UK's underclass suffer disprortionately purely because they cannot articulate their point of view, in adversity Like many airport departure lounges it is a very unequal society.
30-Dec-2009 11:44 PM
Just wanted to say what a fantastic newsletter this was and that I couldn't agree more. I feel this year, not only for myself but for considerably many others, has been a learning year. I will be taking financial, relationship and self awareness lessons into 2010 as I'm sure many others will do.
I just to echo what you are saying about knowing what you want from life. I am nigh on religious about this principle and couldn't agree more. Knowing what you want is one of the key principles to success in the 21st century and I would encourage and support further material regarding this.
Here's to a fab-u-lous 2010...
30-Dec-2009 11:46 PM
Congrats on getting what sounds like serendipitous first class service.
We are thinking of going to oz next year, so keen to compare airlines. So glad to hear you got there in the end!
31-Dec-2009 02:31 AM
Ganz liebe Grüsse zum Jahresabschluss aus Fulda.
Wir hoffen sehr,das ihr ein schönes Weihnachtsfest
bei euerer Tochter hattet.Sicherlich war es sehr heiss
bei euch,was wir ja aus der Rhön nicht sagen können.
Hier liegt viel Schnee ,aber das kennt ihr ja.
Schade,dass es in diesem Jahr nicht geklappt hat
mit euch uns zu besuchen,aber ich habe schon mit
Rita gesprochen,dass ihr beim nächsten mal mit
zu uns kommt und dann backe ich uns ganz leckeren
Kuchen.
So und nun wünschen wir euch allen einen guten Rutsch
ins Neue Jahr.
Bleibt schön gesund und wir freuen uns auf s Wiedersehen
mit euch 2010 bei uns.
Ganz liebe Grüsse von Herbert und Hannelore
31-Dec-2009 02:33 AM
Wow - a great message to round up the year Eilidh I can see you are loving life to the full...
Having flown economy class from Heathrow to Dubai I know just how superior Emirates is, and First Class sounded just out of this world! - Well done you!
I spent an hour this morning planning my business (something I struggle to put down on paper) and consequently spent a very productive few hours this afternoon working on my business while Donald took boys to a soft play area to burn off some energy (just in case they still had some left after our 90 minute swim this morning!)
You might like to check out my website again as it is in the process of undergoing another wee face lift, to remove the dark bags under it's eyes :D.
Keep inspiring!
Hannah
01-Jan-2010 02:19 AM
Thank you and Happy New Year Eilidh. Guess you are having a marvellous time – well I certainly hope you are, and with any luck it will all be back to normal for your return. I do hope so as I don’t think I could bear another – ‘well the flight was cancelled so they scheduled an aircraft for us specially, and we flew back with Barack Obama for part of the way......story!!
Jealous or what!!
Love
Debbie
08-Jan-2010 08:30 AM