"Hello. Thanks for calling Delta. How can I make you prefer travelling by horseback today?"

I just flew back from Phoenix, having presented at the first ever Sales, Profit, and Marketing Summit with Joe Crisara and his fine group from Contractor Selling.com. It was a rewarding, fun time, but as this small part of my business life (speaking) can be, it was exhausting.

My last changeover in Atlanta was very tight.But after a swift train ride and a sprint for a scheduled 10:45pm departure, I skidded to a stop at my gate to see the status board announce: "DELAYED: DEPARTURE 11:20pm". Whew. Made it. A small crowd of significantly bored people flipped through magazines in the waiting area.

So I grabbed my iPad, went to an adjacent restaurant for a glass of water and brief rest. At 10:58, I walked back over to my gate to board. Then I looked in horror to see the entire waiting area empty. Reeling in denial, I asked the gate attendant if they were through loading.

"Oh, they left.You weren't here and they left." Her concern was similar to that of a cantaloupe, yet with less expression.

The Rest of this Story is for Mature Audiences, or those who'd like to reach their destination on the airplane they purchased a ticket for...