My 2015 THPL journey continues on the road for a five country, six day trip to Europe. And as is the way with any one of these trips there is so much to observe, to learn and to appreciate. Little did I know that it would start with my flight to Rome from JFK. Delta flight 444 was scheduled for an 8 pm departure but all that went up in smoke when we had yet another snow storm in the Northeast that put the departure at risk. Not to be deterred I arrived early, got on the plane at 7:15 and took off around 11:15 pm. Now usually a 4-hour “quarantine” on a plane is tantamount to torture. But with a great crew, led by a phenomenal pilot the wait was tolerable and went by quickly and before we realized it we had landed in Roma Italy many hours later. The difference maker came down to thorough, regular and thoughtful communication from the pilot and the crew as to the plight of a team working hard to make sure the plane got to Rome in spite of Mother Nature throwing snow, ice, and cold in the way of the departure. At every important change in status the pilot told us what was going on – he was empathetic, accountable and committed to getting us off the ground. And for any “traveler” who has been on a delayed flight and left “flaming mad” it really came down to a lack of communication.

And so, yes it is that simple. No additional cost incurred, no big design required, no special status – all we needed to have a better experience was a crew of people who cared enough to talk to us and tell us what was going on. So, on our THPL journey, it might be just one more tenet to carry with us at all times. Communicate regularly, especially when the going gets a bit tough. It will bail you out and make the journey all that it can be. All we need is common courtesy and communication and this world will be better – yes, it is that simple – practice it, please….again and again

Loving life when communicated to