08/06/2026
Let me tell you about my most recent trip.
Last week I left DFW going to Fresno CA. I was traveling with my oldest daughter, going to Hanford CA for my youngest daughter's naval ceremony.
The flight from DFW was supposed to leave at 2:54pm. That flight got delayed due to a fuel spill.
When we reached San Diego, however, by the time we got off the plane, and walked 6 gates away the doors for my connecting flight had closed. (my oldest daughters flight was not until 10pm)
We went to the service desk to see what my options were. Shout out to the customer service reps for Alaska Airlines. Very nice, professional and willing to help. The next available flight for myself was not until 8am. So after a few phone calls with the youngest daughter, to verify that she could pick me up. We went back to the counter and took the flight. Here is our God moment. Another lady had to be on my oldest daughter's flight. So my daughter told them she would gladly switch with her if they could put her on my flight in the morning. The switch was made, Alaska Airlines paid for our hotel room, gave us a voucher for dinner, and a free shuttle pass.
Our hotel folks, was the Sheraton Marina Resort. We were very impressed, we are more the Choice Hotels type folks. The staff was very nice, room was great, our view was gorgeous and the beds were just right.
Here is the other side of this coin. We had voluntarily checked our bags in DFW. So our clothes got to Fresno before us. So I had a conversation with myself that went like this:
Me: Self, when we were sitting in DFW for almost two hours and you knew it was likely you were going to miss your flight. Why did you not pull out your pajamas, and a change of clothes, and put them in your other bag?
Self: I don’t know why we didn’t do that, but it would sure be handy right now.
After this conversation we ordered dinner and basically crashed from all the stress of the day.
Moral of the story is always pack your patience, and kindness, it pays off. Also, pack extra clothes in your personal bag so you have them just in case you need them.
