The Needs of the Two Outweigh the Needs of the Many

On Friday, July 19, I spent over 8 hours sitting on an airplane.  For most on the trip, it was a long, uncomfortable experience, with 2+ hours of delays on an already long day.  However, for two passengers, circumstances worked to their benefit.  There is a phrase that goes something like: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”  On July 19, on Southwest Flight #411 from Manchester to Baltimore, the Universe decided that the needs of the two outweighed the needs of the many.

My trip started out in Manchester, New Hampshire.  It was supposed to be an hour-and-a-half flight to Baltimore, where I would change planes, and then fly home to Austin.  However, on the way, we were diverted to the airport in Norfolk, Virginia.  There was a big storm system just sitting over Baltimore, and the Captain announced that because of the storm, and because we did not have enough fuel to simply fly around until the storm moved on, we were being diverted to Norfolk.  (Yes, it freaked me out a little bit that we were low enough on fuel to be diverted that far out of the way!)  After the announcement that we were being diverted to Norfolk, the gentleman sitting next to me said, “Are we going to Norfolk?  That’s my final destination!” 

Wow.  And just like that, he was getting home early.  The flight attendants announced his good fortune, and people actually applauded for him as he walked off the plane while we were refueling.  It was a nice gesture.  People were clapping for one man, as the rest of us sat … delayed … frustrated.

Then, a few people actually boarded the plane.  I was intrigued.  This was an unscheduled stop.  Why would people be boarding a plane that was never supposed to be there in the first place?!  And, since the seat next to me had become available, a young woman sat down.

I asked her why she boarded a plane that was never supposed to be there.  She said, “My original flight to Baltimore was cancelled.  Now, I can actually get to Baltimore and catch my connecting flight to Detroit, and get to see my husband this weekend!”

Wow.  Without my flight being diverted several miles south of Baltimore, this young lady (who serves in the Coast Guard and is therefore separated from her husband for several weeks out of the year) would’ve missed cherished time with her husband in Detroit.  At the earliest, without my diverted flight, she would’ve arrived in Detroit 18 hours later.  But because of bad weather over Baltimore, and low fuel on my plane, and a decision to divert to Norfolk, this young lady can get her full weekend with her husband.

Again, for most of us on this flight, it was longer than we wanted.  Frustrating.  Tiresome.   And we were stuck on an airplane instead of in the airport able to eat or stretch out.  Add to this, that once we actually landed in Baltimore, we had to continue to sit on the plane in a ‘Remote Parking Area’ because the airport traffic was so backed-up.

But, for two people, these circumstances worked out to their benefit.  For me, it was a fascinating turn of events.  And I was happy for them … and tired … and frustrated.