How To: Airport Pick-Up

A "How To" can be effective for many reasons... Here in Refugee Land--there's no such thing as an effective "How To." My softball coach used to say, "there's a million different situations, and you have to be ready for every one of them." I concur. Here's just ONE situation.

***

So, you're tasked to pick up refugees

at DFW Airport, eh?

Here's how to make it the best experience.

(From my experience)

1.) PRE PICK UP

It's easy enough, said and done, that 

you are to get papers, directions, and gate number

from your tasking "officer."

and

That's the easy part... 

2.) DRIVE 

I highly suggest a list of cool tunes

for the long trek. Mine?

1. "It's a Beautiful Day" - U2

2. "Lost!" - Coldplay

3. "Comes and Goes In Waves" - Greg Laswell

4. "Wake Up" - Arcade Fire

5. "Cath" - Death Cab for Cutie

6. "Other Side of the World" - KT Tunstall

7. "Let It Be" - Paul McCartney

8. "The Blower's Daughter" - Damien Rice

9. "Trouble Is a Friend" - Lenka

10. "Counting Blue Cars" - Dishwalla

Um, I decided you should make your

own playlist. Mines good for me.

*Disclaimer*:

This taste is not for everyone.

3.) ARRIVE & RETRIEVE

This is the part of the how-to

where you pick up your refugee family...

They're actually quite easy to spot.

You don't even need a sign.

Just smile at them and say 

"Hi, Welcome to America!"

BUT

The Situation:

The family, followed another family up an escalator

AWAY from the baggage claim and us (the pick-up crew).

In this situation, humor helps...

 annnd, that's the quote of the day.

So you wait.

And wait.

It's and International Airport.

They are easy for us to find,

but not necessarily easy for others...

cough, cough, the AA people.

At this point of waiting,

the refugees could be anywhere,

except with us.

4. IMPROVISE

It would have been a clean

10 minute pick up. But it wasn't.

10 minutes turned into 1 hour and 45 minutes.

So here are some ideas to "kill time"

whatever that means.

Which one is it?

 "Sorry, there's nothing we can do.

They could be anywhere."

Thank you.

iPhone Apps are the best!
 

and eating is a must.

Trying to decide on an item
takes all of 10 minutes.
Time killer.


I chose the less nutritious item
and more expensive.
Again, it's whatever. 

5.) PEOPLE WATCH

Not familiar with this term?

It means exactly what it says.

And for crying out loud,

its an airport. Sooo many people.

Watch your little heart out.

6.) MAKE A NEW FRIEND - kinda

The person next to you.

The flight attendant.

The person picking up their baggage.

It's limitless.

Just don't be creepy.

and finally....

5.) RETRIEVE and LEAVE

Eventually they show up.

Someone saves the day,

and the refugees will make it

to the luggage claim.

Its a glorious moment where

you're ecstatic

and they're...

confused and tired.

Then, its off to their new home.

Where they begin a new chapter,

and you flip a page in your book.

What are some ways you improvise in an airport?

Do share. This would greatly help... my sanity.