“Keep calm and Carry on” was part of a series of motivational posters that originated in 1939 and produced by the British government. It was intended to boost morale with the threat of war and massive airstrikes pending.
At times, a travel experience represents equal doom, It is the nature of the beast when more that 100,000 aircraft tries to take off and land every single day in the USA. It such cases, it is better to stay calm and carry on than throwing all the toys out of the cot. Many fellow travelers will do just that – screaming and complaining. Not that they will get anywhere fast as a result.
Be prepared at all times. Murphy’s Law predicts it. If it can happen, it will.
Here are some tips:
1) Keep a cool head. Exert some mastery over your own demeanor.
2) Keep your phone charged (and the external battery if you have one),
3) Have a change of underwear in your carry-on. Could be days before you get your luggage.
4) Always keep a sweater at hand. Temperatures can go from hot to cold in minutes on a flight. And you can bet that the temperature will be different at your point of arrival from the point of departure. You just never know.
5) Develop an actionable game plan. Being ‘stranded’ is temporary. Secure the ‘next steps’ and then relax. Nothing more you can do at that point.
Be a hero. Cordial to fellow travelers and super nice to airways personnel. If they could have prevented the issue, believe me, they would.
PS. If you travel with small children, rather pay extra for the bag with toys, teddies, diapers, wipes, etc., than not have it.