Oct 15 2012

Traumatic Typo

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I realized it was my mother’s friend, I asked my colleague to give me a minute. My mind was still focused on Wednesday afternoon, one of my colleagues was leaning over my desk. We were both staring intently at my computer monitor, trying to figure out a problem we were having, when my cell phone rang. Distracted, I answered the phone.

When the problem we were working on when I started to talk to the woman. She was calling to orchestrate picking me up at the airport three days later, when I was due to fly to Florida on Saturday to surprise my mom at a party she was having to celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday.

“What time do you arrive?” my mom’s friend asked.

“Give me a second,” I replied. “I have all the information at home,” I explained as I opened a new window on my computer and began to log into Jet Blue’s website. Although I knew my flight was due to leave New York around 7:20 I wasn’t sure what time I was due to arrive. I wanted to be sure of my itinerary since she was doing me a huge favor and picking me up.

As she chatted, I tried to process what I saw on my monitor. There were no flights leaving JFK at 7:20. There was only one leaving around 8:00. Something seemed strange.

I heard ruffling of paper on the other end of the phone. “I found your email. I have your flight information right here,” my mom’s friend said. Reading from the confirmation I emailed her over a month ago, “You are leaving PBI at 7:20 AM arriving at JFK at…”

In a small, barely audible voice I asked, “what?”

She started to repeat what she just read. “You leave Florida at…” She cut herself off. “I think you had a typo when you gave me this. You wrote you were going from Florida to New York, not New York to Florida.”

I gasped.

“Oh Shit!” she exclaimed. “It’s not a typo is it?”

“Ummm…” I stammered and stuttered. “I don’t think so. That explains why I can’t find my flight online.” Freaked out I started rambling, “Oh my God! Oh my God! What am I going to do?”

I booked the flights backwards. Only I would do something like this…

One of these days I have to slow down….

Thank goodness she called me and realized my error. No matter how many times I looked at that confirmation, I never caught it…

Although it took some effort, complete with some drama, I was able to rearrange my flight! My mom was shocked when she saw me… and I had a great day with her, and was so happy I was able to help

celebrate her big day.

I am still kicking myself for my stupidity… Please make me feel better. What silly or careless thing have you done lately?

Tags: friendships, funny, funny things we do, humor, life, memories, stuff I can't make up

48 comments

loretta rick

October 15, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC -4)

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I was so happy that you came to Florida to share that day with me & your error could have happened to anyone. I love you lots
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:11 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Mom – I am so glad I came too.. thanks for making me feel better about my error, although I don’t really think it would happen to most people
Trooppetrie

October 15, 2012 at 7:24 am (UTC -4)

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OH MAN you make me feel normal, thank you
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:12 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Pam – yeah… So I am guessing these things happen to you too!
Fuzzy Tales

October 15, 2012 at 7:37 am (UTC -4)

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The expression on your mom’s face (presumably that’s your mom!) made the mix-up and drama all worth it, I’d say.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:12 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Fuzzy Tales – yes, that is my mom and it was priceless…. and worth all the drama!
caren gittleman

October 15, 2012 at 8:40 am (UTC -4)

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It doesn’t matter how you mixed up your flight….that photo of you hugging your Mom is PRICELESS…all that matters is that you WERE THERE!!!!!!!!

I am beyond choked up ((((hugs))))))))))
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:13 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Caren – you are right… It was amazing when she realized I was there… It was pretty emotional…
Beth Ann

October 15, 2012 at 8:53 am (UTC -4)

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It happens, trust me!!! Chris sometimes has so many flights to schedule and hotels and stuff and he has to be sooooooo careful when he does it . On our last vacay I was writing down the 3 week itinerary for our families and could not find our place we were staying for one of the nights. I emailed Chris and said I couldn’t figure out where we were staying that night and he realized he had doublebooked us for one night and had left one night out–whew!! Good thing I caught it but totally understandable just like your case. Hopefully Jet Blue let you make the adjustments without huge costs and the photo of you and your mom—PRICELESS! So glad you got to do that—it was probably her best gift ever!!!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:14 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Beth Ann – If you and Chris had a travel snafu I feel much better about mine! I guess these things do happen, but when they happen to you, you just feel so silly…. Jet Blue was very helpful (although it did take some effort). Isn’t the picture of us great? It was amazing when she realized I was there. There wasn’t a dry eye in the restaurant!
Brian

October 15, 2012 at 9:32 am (UTC -4)

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Quit kicking yourself, just look at that happy Mom photo!!!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:15 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Brian – you are right.. but you know me – I like to kick myself!
Random Felines

October 15, 2012 at 9:34 am (UTC -4)

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At least you figured it out before getting to the airport. I think we have all been there and done that….or something similar. At least you made it and your mom looks thrilled!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:19 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Random – I know… I kept thinking what would have happened if I showed up at the airport and then realized my error… I honestly don’t know if I would have caught my mistake when printing my boarding pass… And you are right – my mom was beyond thrilled!
Old Kitty

October 15, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC -4)

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Awwww the photo says it all! Glad it all worked out!! Take care
x
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:20 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Old Kitty – isn’t that picture amazing?
Connie

October 15, 2012 at 10:58 am (UTC -4)

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So what if you had a little bit of drama before the trip?? It makes the whole thing that much more interesting a story!! I mean being able to say you showed up and surprised your mom is a fun story, but this adds a whole new dimension to it.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:23 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Connie – you are right.. It does make an intersting story (but it also makes a costly story thanks to my flight changes)
Karen

October 15, 2012 at 10:59 am (UTC -4)

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I’m so glad she caught it for you and you were able to correct it! Usually airlines aren’t very accommodating! You really made your mom’s day, no matter the mix up. And yes, I’ve done stupid things (way to many to mention) too! It all worked out
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:24 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Karen – I really got lucky… everything worked out in the end and really did make my mom’s day. I am glad I am not the only one who makes these stupid mistakes!
Melissa (Alienbody)

October 15, 2012 at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)

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I’ve never done that specific thing, but I’ve got a whole slew of other *palm to forehead* moments. You are NOT alone! Fortunately it all worked out and that picture is precious…it made me teary. Also, yes…you might need to slow down.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Melissa – I really do need to slow down… Marc is constantly trying to get me slow down…. warning me that if I don’t I will really mess something up or hurt myself. I know that he is right, but I find it hard to do… Sometimes I dont even realize I am flying…
Susi

October 15, 2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)

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Hilary, glad you made it down to surprise your mom. Could have been a lot worse… You getting to the airport and realizing then! Hope you made it back ok… saw about all the flight delays!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:26 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Susi – I know.. it could have been much worse (thanks to sweetheart for helping me). I sort of expected the flight delays – it was fitting for the drama of the trip!
Debby Pucci

October 15, 2012 at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)

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Oh my Hilary, so happy you were able to work that all out. Love the look on your moms face!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:26 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Debby – me too… Isn’t her expression amazing?
Rorybore

October 15, 2012 at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)

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So glad it all worked out……. and just love that pic of your mom. makes me want to call my mommy

and I’ll try to make you feel better.
I was reading to my son the other night and he had to correct my mispronunciation of a word.
17 times.
the entire book.
I just kept saying it wrong.
“serpentine”
ok – it’s not so funny if you can’t hear me say it, but trust.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:27 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Leslie – call your mom… You did make me feel better.. I can only imagine your son correcting you 17 (did you really say 17) times… too funny!
Noodles

October 15, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)

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We all do those silly things. The important thing to remember that it all turned out okay.
Love Noodles
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:27 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Noodles – You are right.. we all make these mistakes, but at the time they happen you feel like you are the only one..
Tami

October 15, 2012 at 8:42 pm (UTC -4)

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Better than finding out when you get to the airport gate. I’m sure it was a relief to fix the error in time.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 16, 2012 at 6:28 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Tami – I know… That is all I thought about.. what would have happened if I showed up at the airport at 6 am for the wrong flight!
Marg

October 16, 2012 at 7:04 am (UTC -4)

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Oh I know that I would do something like that very easily. I make all kinds of mistakes and like everyone else said, that picture makes it all so worth while. That was such a great thing you did to surprise your Mom. And how great to fess up the story about booking it wrong. We all make silly mistakes and just glad you made it down to Florida. Take care. And a late Happy Birthday to your Mom.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 18, 2012 at 6:18 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Marg – It makes me feel better that I am not the only one who would do / did somehting like this… Isn’t that picture priceless? Fessing up about the story was easy – realizing my mistake – not so much….
Tina

October 16, 2012 at 7:20 am (UTC -4)

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I must confess that I make so many of these types of errors that my brain refuses to remember them at all. That should make you feel better, at least a little. The important thing is that you were able to see your mom!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 17, 2012 at 6:42 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Tina – it does make me feel better… I wish my brain refused to remember like yours.. Mine has a score card and I am failing!
My Inner Chick

October 16, 2012 at 7:46 am (UTC -4)

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the typo didn’t matter a damn.

You guys are together loving one another.

What a BEAUTIFUL, Priceless photo ))) I Looooove. Xxxx
1. hilaryg
  
  October 17, 2012 at 6:42 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Inner chick – you know, you are right… who cares about the drama that led up to the surprise… I should focus on the fact that I made my mom’s day (well, probably month!)
Irene

October 16, 2012 at 7:58 am (UTC -4)

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You’re only human Hilary! You’ve had a lot going on in your life this year! Easy mistake! At least you didn’t book a flight that took you to California or something! We’ve all done stupid stuff like that! The main thing is you got down to see your mom!! This will be a story you’ll be talking about for years to come! And having a good laugh over it!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 17, 2012 at 6:44 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Irene – thanks… You are right.. I have been juggling a lot this year (and continue to do so). It shouldn’t shock me that I drop a few balls here and there, but I still get mad at myself when I do – I am the classic overachiever / perfectionist (drives me crazy). But you are right… all that really matters is I made it to her big day – and once the sting wears off, the story is funny!
Stacy Uncorked

October 16, 2012 at 8:48 am (UTC -4)

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Sounds like something I would totally do! Good thing your mom’s friend was on the ball confirming everything – glad you were able to get it rearranged so you could be there for your mom! That picture is priceless!

Sleepyhead, Crazy Sky Diver, Google Fun, Body By Vi Update & Crispy Sculpey: RTT Rebel
1. hilaryg
  
  October 17, 2012 at 6:45 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Stacy – I know… I don’t even want to think what would have happened if she didnt catch my mistake…. UGH!
joe

October 17, 2012 at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)

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I have been booking flights for 27 people who are flying from Pune to Goa for a beach wedding and then from there to Cochin by train and back to Pune by flight. No I am not a tour manager or arranger, I happen to be a part of that group.
My main worry while doing all these booking was the same as yours. “I am going to goof up some where and send people flying in opposite direction”
Finally I managed to get things right (I hope so) Can’t say till we actually fly
1. hilaryg
  
  October 18, 2012 at 6:17 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Joe – Booking that much transportation for 27 people? wow! I am impressed. Given my track record (this wasn’t the first time I made a mistake with a flight) I would be so scared to do what you are doing… I am sure you got it all right… Enjoy the wedding!
Journey of Life

October 18, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC -4)

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Thank goodness everything is fine but what captured me the most on the post was your photo–very heart warming! In fact, my heart was moved.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 20, 2012 at 8:02 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Angela – I know.. that picture is perfect… really captures the emotion of the moment!
William Kendall

October 21, 2012 at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)

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What an error to make! Good that you got there though…
1. hilaryg
  
  October 22, 2012 at 6:27 am (UTC -4)
  
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  William – I know.. leave it to me to do something like this!