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My husband stood in a puddle of someone’s urine in the 4th hour of a 7-hour wait at the Emirates counter at the airport in Dubai. He didn’t blame the person responsible. When you’re among 600 people in a crush to reach five staff members, you can’t afford to lose your place.
April 16, 2024. Dubai was under water, and we would spend the next 46 hours wondering why the airline allowed us to get on a delayed flight from Heathrow
Image credits: Phill Brown (not the actual photo)
They knew we wouldn’t make our connecting flight to Sydney. For reasons—not the least of which was that they didn’t have airport staff, flight attendants, or pilots. Or planes. Seating for 40,000 stranded passengers? Nope. $1100 cognac? Sure. $1200 perfume? Absolutely. Diapers for the little ones? Not so much.
During our surreal 46-hour experience, there were only two announcements. The first was a boarding call—comfortingly normal. The second was, “There is a fire in the building.” I kid you not.
I have never been so happy to board a 14-hour flight, even though we were seated in the penultimate row and not the seats we paid for.
The good news is, I don’t have PTSD—my nightmares didn’t last long enough.
Dear Emirates, I never received the long awaited phone call you promised. I did, however, receive your email
Image credits: Suganth (not the actual photo)
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be refunding the money we paid for upgraded seats. And thank you for the 14 paragraphs explaining why none of this was your fault, but that the fault lay with the weather instead.
And Dear Mr. Sir Tim Clark, I want you to know that I hold you responsible for just about all of it. But not the rain. No Sir, never the rain.
Expert’s Advice
This situation is tough to navigate, and it’s understandable you might feel uncertain. I suggest to look at five important steps to consider as you think about how to handle it:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s okay to feel angry, sad, or frustrated—those emotions are valid. Take time to process them through journaling, talking to someone you trust, or simply giving yourself space to reflect.
It’s okay to feel angry, sad, or frustrated—those emotions are valid. Take time to process them through journaling, talking to someone you trust, or simply giving yourself space to reflect.
2. Decide on Your Goals
Before taking action, think about what you hope to achieve. Ask yourself: “What outcome would make me feel more at peace or bring clarity to this situation?”
Before taking action, think about what you hope to achieve. Ask yourself: “What outcome would make me feel more at peace or bring clarity to this situation?”
3. Set Boundaries
Identify what you can control and what’s outside your influence. Protect your emotional well-being by choosing how much energy and involvement you want to invest.
Identify what you can control and what’s outside your influence. Protect your emotional well-being by choosing how much energy and involvement you want to invest.
4. Seek Support
Talk to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, or counselor. They can help you process your emotions and provide a fresh perspective.
Talk to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, or counselor. They can help you process your emotions and provide a fresh perspective.
5. Take Thoughtful Action
When ready, approach the situation calmly and clearly. Prepare your thoughts, choose the right moment, and use “I” statements to express yourself constructively.
When ready, approach the situation calmly and clearly. Prepare your thoughts, choose the right moment, and use “I” statements to express yourself constructively.
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