Knucklehead=me
Hi, I fly a lot! Over 100 flights in 2005, mainly in Europe and including commercial jets, private jets, props & helicopters. My usual trip is from London City to Copenhagen as I work in London but live with my family in Sweden, just a short train trip from CPH airport.

Anyway, this particular Friday was a pretty important flight home, I was scheduled to pick up our wedding rings on Saturday from Malmo, and being Sweden the shops shut at lunchtime meaning there was no room for missing this flight and catching another the following morning. I got to the airport well in time feeling rather pleased with myself and walked up to the check-in only to realise I had not brought my wallet. Not usually an issue, as I could use my passport to check in and had enough cash in my pocket for anything else I might need,, except of course my rings. doh!

I called my flatmate and asked if he could help, and he promised to be out the door in seconds, which would be OK as it is only a 40 minute trip and I still had time. I handed my passport to the check-in clerk, who after a few minutes banging the keyboard explained that I was not on the flight. Slightly confused I headed towards the ticket desk where my problem could be addressed. There were 2 people ahead of me, so I got out my laptop and looked from my e-ticket confirmation. Easily located it became apparant that I was in trouble. I had booked myself not on the 18.00 from London City, but on the 14.05 from Heathrow. doh! So I am at City airport, desperately needing to get to Copenhagen on a flight for which I had no ticket and with no credit cards or my gold Eurobonus card to establish me as a top customer.

I approached the desk tentatively and said 'I really need some help'. No problem said the nice German Lufthansa ticket lady. I lied and said that my secretary had made a mistake booking my flight, and as I was a gold-card holder (with no card as proof) could she help me. Pah she said, this is SAS fault, their website is too confusing, this is the second problem with incorrect airports I have had this week. I mentioned that I had no money, but she said this was no problem. She upgraded my bucket seat from Heathrow to flex-economy (which meant I got fed), and transferred it over to the flight from City. I was on the flight and my flatmate turned up just after I had checked in with my wallet. Moral of the story..

1. Lie (not sure this was necessary, but..)
2. When you have screwed up, be polite and apologetic and grateful
3. Even if you haven't screwed up, behaviour towards those who can help often leads to an increase in their desire to do so.
( Be-elzebulb_the_devils_own_gardener, Sun 5 Mar 2006, 10:23, Reply)