I surged. I tried to book a flight. Not only have the airbus people not come through on time with some airline thing they were supposed to do, but the entire population of the northern hemisphere is on holidays for summer, and contrary to millions of years' worth of carefully-honed seasonal migratory patterns, they're all flying south for it. There are a fucking lot of people in the northern hemisphere.
After much googling, several phone calls to different travel agents, and the invocation of my frequent flyer status*, I broke down and wept on the phone to Qantas who - bless that woman's concerned customer service and soothing voice** and damn me for not getting her name - managed to dig me up an airfare which will have me in town at the right time.
It leaves tomorrow night***.
"It's been a really horrible couple of years," I found myself sobbing at one point, "and every time I turn around someone's thrown one more obstacle in my way. I just thought booking flights was the least of my worries."
Half an hour and a few deep breaths later, I guess it still is****.
---
*Bronze...
**She suspects I won't have quite the same problem next time. Sure, the airbus situation isn't going to be fixed in a hurry, but the summer holidays will end (although she did warn me about the Rugby World Cup in September/October - at least I'll be prepared). And I have great faith that the market will work to fill any medium or long-term gaps. That is, of course, if there has to be a next time (smack!).
***Fuck! That means I have to go NOW to return those library books.
****Still have to get Mr Bea there, of course - that is, if we want to use fresh, new, vitamin-enriched sperm. Thankyou, September 06 Bea for having the foresight to freeze twelve straws of semen, even though that meant having to collect the last lot en route to the airport in the half-hour gap between the clinic opening and Mr Bea departing indefinitely for foreign shores. They said you were crazy. You were, kid. Just crazy enough.
____Update____
Mr Bea now safely booked. Must remember not to collapse in tears quite so easily in future. I think I may be feeling a little on edge.
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I'm so glad you found a flight. But yikes -- how stressful.
And then:
Me: ...so the thing is, she did eventually find me a flight, but...
Mr Bea: It leaves, like, tomorrow or something, doesn't it?
Me: Yes.
Mr Bea: When, then?
Me: Tomorrow.
Mr Bea: What?
*sigh*
How stressful.
I'm so happy to hear that you did find something; even if the process required an emotional breakdown with a customer service agent.
*hug* I am thinking of you.
oh ogd, how stressful. i got a little tense even reading your account....glad you AND Mr. Bea are finally booked. i hope that you have a chance to rest a bit once you get there...
I have to say, sometimes the bursting into tears bit can be helpful in having other people suddenly somehow find a way to help you.
I'm sorry it was stressful, and am glad that you and Mr. Bea will be flying out tomorrow.
Holy Cow... sounds stressful! So glad a little tears helped the process along and that Mr. Bea will also be there in person.
You know, I don't think the tears were entirely necessary. She was being helpful before that. I'm getting more and more embarrassed about them the more time goes by...
Bea
I once broke down in tears at the counter of an airline because they couldn't get me and Hubby seats together, after we had booked seats side-by-side. Not only did we get seats together, we got them in first class. (long story as to why I collapsed crying...)
Crying, while embarrassing, can be very very useful. Glad you got your flights!
I tagged you for Kirby's haiku meme, but I understand if you're a little too, erm, distracted!
http://projgen.blogspot.com/2007/07/infertility-haiku.html
Crazy!
I hope there is no "next time".
Whatever it takes and if that means collapsing in tears so be it-you got a flight. Thinking of you!
Oooh, so stressful!!
Glad Mr Bea is safe and sound and you got your flight!!
'I hope there is no "next time".'
I second that!
OH Gosh, when thihngs happen the really happen. So stressful. I am so glad it all worked out.
Have a good trip.
You have every right to be emotional right now! I understand the embarrassment - I embarrass over tears too - but there's really no reason to be! I'm glad the flights work out.
I'm sorry for the stress. Don't worry about the crying thing - i've done it so many times now i've lost count, and over much less important things!
Safe journey and thanks for your msg on my site.
xx
Yikes! Way too stressful for any normal person! Hope things will quiet down ASAP. hugz!
Sheesh - way too much stress.... I had a meltdown at the Jetst*r counter in Melbourne a couple of years ago, I had about 6 or so hours to wait until my flight, but the flight before me was half empty; they were determined not to let me change.
Post meltdown - they changed me...
Anyhoo, glad you're both on your way. x
I'm the lady you were crying to... no not really, but I think if I were I'd just be grateful you weren't some screaming lunatic who was swearing up and down in my face. Personal experience (fear of flying) tells me that is ineffective. You're back in the game Bea, who the hell cares if you cried your way there or not. Got get'em girl!
While embarassing, sometimes it takes tears to get through to people. So many in the world have become so hardened to other people's difficulties. Glad you were able to get the flights you needed, and I'm guessing the tears were a good stress reliever. I know I've tried to be stoic or calm in the face of emotional turmoil, but sometimes the tears just come...
Good thing you picked crying, not fainting. That tends to not work on the phone (not that I've tested this myself).
Don't feel embarrased about the crying, sometimes it helps them to see we are human. Welcome back to Aus. x
Whew! What an ordeal to book the flight!!! God Bless the anonymous Qantas customer rep!
oh my, that's very stressful , while I am glad about the flight, I wish it wasn't under such circumstances.
GOOD LUCK, safe trip and I am thinking of you.
*hug*
Oh Yay!!
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