<p>I too remember missing many a connection in my youth and hanging out for the day in the airport, though I’ve never done an overnight. And that was twenty years ago. My husband who LIVES in airports (name a country, he’s been there ), said “absolutely NOT” when I asked if she would be okay hanging out in the airport overnight. My husband firmly believes sleeping in an airport alone overnight is not appropriate for a young lady. I do have to agree. </p>
<p>Every kid is different I suppose. ldgirl has flown quite a bit and is very self-sufficient; but she has only flown alone on direct flights. So my main worry was not that she would not be okay, but that she would be upset or scared. Frankly she WAS a little upset…every where she turned for help, she was denied. Customer service had no suggestions for overnight stay and brusquely dismissed her for the next customer when she asked where she could find information about hotels; baggage had no idea what happened to her luggage and didn’t really care; for pete’s sake, people were acting like jerks trampling and elbowing each other just to board a hotel shuttle. I understand the place was pure chaos and people were frustrated at their botched travel plans, but please…no need to set aside manners!</p>
<p>FYI, at O’Hare, apparently the Hilton (our first choice) is accessed from the airport via a breezeway…so no need to leave the airport. The Doubletree is practically on airport property, so it’s a very quick ‘few blocks long’ shuttle ride. ldgirl is very familiar with the hotel shuttle/valet parking/hotel check in/room service thing (the girl does appreciate the finer things in life…lol!). So for us, we got into our comfort zone as soon as we knew she had a safe place to sleep. We knew she would get herself to the hotel and checked in without a problem.</p>
<p>Silver lining: After walking her through this one, I think she will be less intimidated and ready to handle the next one. And when she gets to that year abroad, this will have definitely been a good practice run for when things go wrong.</p>
<p>btw…no offense taken at those who prefer the ‘rough it’ approach. To each his own. :)</p>
<p>also…agree totally with all of those who suggested fly early in the day and leave big gaps for connections, especially for winter travel. Just easier on the worry lines if you know you have left yourself options. And it’s absolutely true, direct flights are not always an option. We booked ldgirl’s flights in August, but still couldn’t get her on the direct Continental flight from RDU to IAH for Christmas break. Too many college students serviced by RDU and just not enough seats to go around.</p>
<p>“Have to agree with Tarhunt. Isn’t trauma and emergency mode a bit extreme? Like Mini says, those of us who have seen some of the world’s problems reserve those words.”</p>
<p>Suze - I guess you missed the humorous intent of my post. I didn’t intend to offend with my ‘frivolity’ or generous use of adjectives. I’ll work on that.</p>
<p>S2 on his first flight alone, going through O’Hare before Thanksgiving. Same exact story almost. Due to mechanical problems he arrives late and races to
other terminal for connection to SFO. Misses flight by 1 minute. He had a cell
phone so we could at least reach him. He fortunately was rebooked on the last flight out.</p>
<p>Today, he returns in about an hour. Can’t wait to see him. Went through
Dulles. For us, thats the trick; avoid O’Hare. Enjoy the Holidays.</p>
<p>coureur - word for word what my sister said to me this morning…lol! “You had her connecting through WHERE??” She claims every travel problem she has ever had occurred at O’Hare. </p>
<p>For my husband…it’s getting from Teterboro to JFK for his commercial flight home that does him in every time. Mine was ALWAYS DFW. What is up with DFW??</p>
<p>scidoc - she’s back to RDU through Dulles on the ride back to school. But dh is threatening to cancel that flight and try for a direct with Continental. I think she’ll be fine if this happens again…but I wouldn’t want her to miss classes should she have to do another overnighter.</p>
<p>Did anyone else see humor? I read 2 frantic parents on phones handling something a college freshman can and should do because that’s life. No disrespect meant IDmom, but this is not an atypical post. It scares me that so many think their kids are not capable of simple things and don’t give them a chance to work out life’s issues. </p>
<p>Though understand my perspective, I spent my junior year of high school abroad (as did many of my friends) and have traveled all over alone. My mom never showed fear although she told me later how frightening it was, but she knew she had to let go and she did.</p>
<p>sorry…human being here suze. I was worried at the time. And very relieved and happy when it was over. Tried to put a humorous spin, but apparently didn’t succeed.</p>
<h2>mea culpa…I’m sure I’ll be almost as good as you next time.</h2>
<p>And might I add… I hope I never get on here and post in a way that makes a parent feel as if their skills are lacking or their actions are inappropriate with regard to their own child.</p>
<p>Idmom - I don’t think you have anything to apologize for. “Worry” is in our job description. What is sad is when parents refuse to let their kids do anything because of that worry. Those of us who do let our kids fly all over on their own are ALLOWED to worry when things go wrong. When my kid is 80, and I’m 104, I’m still going to worry when they miss a connection, even if people are starving all over the world.</p>
<p>Edit - Well, this post took about 25 minutes to submit (got a cute little arrow spinning 'round, till it failed completely and took me back to start) and in the meantime, there’s four more posts!</p>
<p>Wow parents, jumping on a kid for having an opinion? I also must say, Suze is no kid. Even by CC standards, this is one of the most intelligent, accomplished young people I’ve met. I did have the honor last year when she helped my daughter and I on our prep school quest.</p>
<p>I am a worrier extraordinaire…comes with the territory of being a Jewish mama, I guess! That I know my son is extremely self-sufficient and competent does not in any way ameliorate that worry. I would have tried to do as you did in the same situation, but his laziness would have probably precluded that <em>lol</em>. At any rate, I think you’re ONE GREAT MAMA!!! :D</p>
<p>Kirmum - imho suze got as good as she gave. Offer a strong opinion, get a strong response. Be critical of others in that opinion, no need to wonder if you have offended. ;)</p>
<p>I was unaware, however, suze was not a parent. Personally, I like to factor the youth thing in and make allowances for a different set of experiences or frame of reference from students who post on the parent board. Despite being bright and/or accomplished, until suze gives birth, suze will not be able to see, completely, things from a mom’s point of view or appreciate what it feels like to worry about her child…nor will she understand that the worry doesn’t turn off and on like a faucet. </p>
<p>I do love to hear what young people have to say and I welcome it on this forum, don’t get me wrong. It is helpful. But, my d is probably one of the most independent, self confident people I know. NEVER calls home from school and almost never returns messages much to the consternation of her father :), rides mass transit all over God’s green earth and Durham too, eats Lord knows what…probably just popcorn, sleeps whenever, goes to classes I suppose… who knows. She’s truly taken the ‘I’m in charge of me’ thing to heart. AND she was pleading for our help last night. I don’t think that makes her, or us, ‘deficient’ in anyway. So despite suze’s opinion otherwise, I feel our assistance was appropriate.</p>
<hr>
<p>Thank you B…loved your earlier post about your lovely Walmart lady btw! Tried to respond on that thread, but MAN the CC server doesn’t like me these days.</p>
), said “absolutely NOT” when I asked if she would be okay hanging out in the airport overnight. My husband firmly believes sleeping in an airport alone overnight is not appropriate for a young lady. I do have to agree. </p>
I suspect it will be just the backpack.</p>