Eileen Loveman Daily Posting

The winds are rolling softly across the Lake this morning, at the end of what I was told happened to be a very rainy week.

Sitting in the sun baked backyard at my son’s house in Denver, I missed the sounds of the waves and the peacefulness of my house.  Although I loved being with him and his new family, there were times when I just wanted to close my eyes and be on the deck, listening the seagulls and the lapping against the rocks lining the shore. 

I had intended to write a column entitled “Why Can’t Jet Blue Get It Right?” when I realized that no one really wanted to listen to me complain about the delayed flights, the cancelled arrivals, the shoddy service and the arrogance of the flight crew.  We’ll get you there when we feel like it should be their motto, because the attitude dripped from every pore of their greasy haired and rumpled demeanor. 

I missed a book signing by two days, and missed spending my wedding anniversary with my husband – although we didn’t forget to celebrate when I returned, two days later than planned.  

As the flight finally made our way home from JFK Airport, I sat in my seat (24C) almost outside of the plane, and wondered how did this all come to be.  What should have been a 4 hour flight turned into a 16 hour one, with several drives back and forth to the airport over several days.  Even when we called to confirm the flight status, I’d arrive at the gate to learn it had been cancelled, moved to another gater or delayed, causing me to miss my connecting flight.  The next flight out, of course, would be full. 

We never used to hear about airline companies being so shoddily managed, with cancellations, delays, and arrogance abounding.  I could understand if it was the holiday season with endless feet of snow on the ground, but this was all happening in the middle of July!!! 

When did this start?  Was it the result of September 11th?  I can understand the delays in getting the checkpoints for security, but nearly 8 years later we haven’t figured that out yet?  Is it the bottom line, with the cost of fuel preventing the planes from taking off, or canceling the flights entirely if they aren’t at full capacity?   I remember one time in the 80’s there were four people on a plane, not including the flight crew.  That would never have happened today.

So I guess I will never get the true answer to the Jet Blue Debacle and Why They Can’t Get It Right.  All I know is that I am happy to be on my deck, drinking a hot cup of coffee and enjoying the sounds of the lake in the background. 

I had a terrific visit with my son and his family, visiting the Denver Zoo, touring down town and riding the light rail.  It was a wonderful feeling to see my boy and how happy he was, waiting for the right one at the right time.  My visit was marred by the ineptitude of Jet Blue, but will never overshadow the joy of being with the ones we love. 

We will be taking the train to my son’s wedding in April.  We might be traveling for a few days, but at least we’ll get there on time.