Don Osmond: In my opinion…

Well, today starts a brand new adventure. Despite not having to go to work today, I was up pretty early getting my day ready of things I need to get accomplished; the list is not shy, nor short.

Last Friday, I finished up at Snapp Conner PR. I worked there for a year and a half, and must say it has been a pleasure to work with friends and professionals.

Here on out, this blog will also detail my self-employed adventures.

Here’s a little more from Costa Rica. It doesn’t include me, but rather two of my friends — Adam and Tyson.

These two thought bull fighting would be a great way to ring in the new year… yeah, BULL FIGHTING!

Here’s the video…

Did you see them? The two in orange! You’ve gotta watch it again.

Ok, so it’s actually more like a game of tag, and the bull’s always it. You just don’t want to get tagged.

Ok… ok… ok…

So, we are not even close to the end of this poll, but I don’t think I can keep this a secret anymore. The suspense is killin’ me.

Do I tell?

(I love how anticlimactic this is really going to be.)

Com’on. Do you really think I would go down to Costa Rica to get engaged? No, I’m not engaged.

I’m warning you all right now… this is the longest post I have ever written. So if you don’t want to read about how I almost didn’t go to Costa Rica last week, or that I almost got stranded in Costa Rica, I will not be offended.

So… Airline customer service at it’s finest.

I knew I was in trouble when issued paper tickets for my trip to Costa Rica – who does paper tickets these days?

Back in August, I decided to take a trip to Costa Rica for a New Years celebration. Why not go ring in 2009 on the beach? (And I did!) Booking my flight through Orbitz, an online booking agent, I nearly melted the plastic credit card at the cost of the flight. Nonetheless, this was going to be a trip to remember; I was sure of that. Little did I know what a foreshadowing this was to be.

The months went by and the day finally came for my trip to Punta Leona, a beautiful costal resort with white sandy beaches. Man, I was excited; maybe a little to excited. With the rush of Christmas, and my procrastination to pack – compounded by a serious snowstorm threatening my trip – I forget to bring my tickets. But, who issues paper tickets now a days?

I arrive at SLC International airport with plenty of time to accommodate for seasonal travel; thank goodness. The airport was packed! An hour and a half later, I was called to the ticket desk. The ticketing agent, Cindy, was most helpful and proceeded to check me in for my trip. Nearly finished, she asked slightly confused, “You were issued paper tickets?” The horror of that statement took me in my minds eye all the way back home to my room where I could vividly imagine the tickets sitting on my bedside table.

Trying to remain calm, I asked her if we could do anything even though the tickets were home? For about an hour and a half, we toiled with phone call after phone call. The challenge we had was that my flight was not direct, and I was traveling through two other cities (and three different airlines) just to get to my destination. In short, Cindy was only able to promise me passage to San Salvador. From there I would have to work with another airline to get to my final destination; with no promise to reach Costa Rica or possible return. I was not about to get stranded.

By now three hours passed and I missed my flight. I admitted defeat and called home to let my parents know I would not be going to Costa Rica as planned. Well, that didn’t go over well with my parents. Both my father and mother took it upon themselves to make sure I would enjoy my trip.

For nearly six hours, the three of us placed multiple phone calls, browsed the Internet, and conjured up as many ideas as we could to find some way for me to get to Costa Rica. I’m not sure what it is about the world we live in today, but customer service is anything but. Briefly, and in highlights, this is a little of what we experienced:

•Booking agency blaming the airlines, and airlines blaming the booking agency.

•”Mr. Osmond, we are going to need to you come to a TACA International office to have you tickets reissued. We have offices in San Francisco and Boston, which is more convenient for you?” (I’m in Salt Lake City)

•”Mr. Osmond, can I get your last name please?”

•”Please hold.”

Finally, we found the silver lining; my mother found a flight out to Costa Rica for a fifth the price I originally paid. It was a one-way ticket, but at least I was on my way.

However amidst the excitement, it was tainted (just a little) by the fact it was still uncertain if I would be able to make it back. Typical airline protocol have them cancel the flight entirely if you miss your first flight. I would worry about that later.

My flight to Costa Rica was a redeye, but that didn’t bother me much. I was glad the ordeal was over with and I would get to enjoy my vacation.

While in Costa Rica, I had extremely limited Internet access and cell phone service non-existent. (I got online maybe twice the entire trip.) Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of every hour of every day. It was a much needed respite of 2008, and kick-start for 2009.

The trip home began with a two-hour ride to the airport and dirt roads and ill-paved roads. Considering my hopeful flight was departing at 6 am, and being told to arrive at the airport two hours early, I decided to stay in San Jose at a hotel close by. Glad I did.

Getting to the airport from my hotel was pretty simple; I would say the easiest part of my trip. Once at the airport, I had three Disney-like lines to serpentine through before even making it to the gate. At the conclusion of the second line – the ticketing desk – I was told that I’d be flying to LAX. Not exactly my final destination, but at least I knew what airport that was – Los Angeles. Previously, and during an earlier conversation I had with my father via e-mail, I knew things were taken care of and received confirmation that my flight would be honored though I was listed as a “no show” in the computer itinerary. So, without thought, hesitation, or reviewing my itinerary I welcomed my destination to Los Angeles.

While boarding, a young woman came up to me and asked what my seat number was. I told her 9F. She was overly concerned as her ticket had the exact same number. She proceeded to tell me that this happened to her on her trip to Costa Rica. I was concerned I may not be able to take this flight. Thankfully, the airplane was not filled to capacity and we were both invited to stay. Once airborne, my flight was pretty uneventful, which I welcomed with open arms. I also had a 30-minute layover in El Salvador before continuing to Los Angeles. Despite being stuck with exit rows prohibiting a reclined chair, all straight forward to the USA.

Thankfully when I arrived in Los Angeles there was a flight I was able to book and get me home. But the uncertainty of travel made this for one interesting trip that will go down in my journal as an experience to remember.

…And after all that this I learned you can either choose to get frustrated with the way things are/aren’t working, or you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Think of it this way, when is the next time I’m going to get an experience like that? When is my next visit to Costa Rica? When am I going to have the opportunity to travel abroad, not being able to communicate effectively? Life is about experiences, and I’m grateful for this one.