Travelogue: Ground Stop in Chicago
When Barton first proposed to spend the Christmas holidays with his family, I wasn't thinking about the biting cold of the Windy City, so I eagerly accepted, not aware that a massive snowstorm would be hitting just a few days before our arrival.
Our friend dropped us off at RDU airport at 11:30am, plenty of time to get through security, find the gate, and maybe eat lunch. We zipped through security in record time, and eat a leisurely lunch. Our plane flew from Chicago, which was experiencing a snowstorm, so we were not surprised when the time was pushed back an hour. Finally, after two-three hours, the plane arrived from Chicago.
As we were preparing to board, the departure time changed over ten times in a matter of five minutes, 9:30, 7:30, 6:15, 7:20, 6:45, 7:20. Apparently, oxygen had to be used for a passenger, and a technical repairman had to sign off that the plane was clear. However, for this particular plane, only one technical repairman could sign off, and he was off duty. There was no telling how long we would be waiting.
Another hour passes by, and by the time the technical staff arrives at the airport, signs off that the plane is clear, O'Hare airport in Chicago is at a Ground Stop, letting no planes depart or land. After another hour of waiting, finally we board the plane and arrive safely, just after 9pm.
How many projects have you worked on were the deadline is changed four times, expectations for the project changes or there is a delay in the completion of the project? Keeping up with these type of changes can be daunting, especially when time and funding are at a minimum. Take a deep breath, go with the flow of changes, let go of holding onto your expectations; eventually you will arrive at your destination.
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