I Hear Helena Is Lovely This Time of Year...

So American Airlines cancelled our flight from PAP to Miami this week. I had to call them to reschedule.

That meant I had the privilege of "speaking" with one of those "automated" systems that "understands" the words you say. That's always fun - you get to speak slowly and clearly and concisely. Things were going pretty well until we got the point that it was asking for my destination.

The phone system said, "What city?"

So I said, "Salt Lake."

It said, "I heard 'Helena, Montana'. Is that correct?"

And I started to laugh out loud.

Then it said, "I'm sorry. I didn't understand your response."

The irony...

But it made me think. As annoying as those systems are, it might actually be a good example for the rest of us. I'm sure there are MANY times when I'm involved in some sort of conflict or disagreement where the person is saying one thing and all I'm hearing is "Helena". What if the next time you were in a disagreement with someone you restated for clarity like that?

I'm not saying my coworkers and spouse would appreciate it if I started repeating things back to them slowly... But I will be on a "Helena" Watch for my next business meeting.

Yes, we did get our tickets rebooked. We have an extra night traveling home now. The flights out of PAP arrive in Miami too late to make a connection to anywhere and still make it there same day. So we'll find a place to bed down for the night.

As I write this, I'm still waiting for the confirmation of the itinerary change to come through from American Airlines. Hopefully that's all clear. If not, I hear Helena is lovely this time of year.

9 days...