I Hijacked an Airplane

It was 10:30 pm on a summer night in August and I was waiting at the baggage claim of Port Columbus International Airport. My wife Hope and daughter Temi (who was 16 months at the time) were returning from a “girl’s only” family camping trip. As I was anxiously awaiting their arrival from their weeklong trip and the end of my return to bachelor life, there was an announcement that their Southwest flight was going to be delayed for 30 minutes. I really felt bad for Hope because nothing can be more difficult than trying to take care of a cranky 16-month-old child on a plane (the truth is there is something which can be worse, being one of the other passengers on the plane). I thought it would be really nice if I could at least use the extra time to come up with a plan to meet her at the gate and help her through the terminal.
To get to the gate would not be an easy task. Homeland Security had raised the terrorist alert to code orange because of a bomb scare in London, England. In order for me to get to the gate I would have to convince security to bend the rules.
I put on an extra special smile and added a little extra charm and ventured into the office of Southwest Airline. I began to tell the helpless lady in the office my sob story. She listened patiently to the saga of my wife who is on the plane with a cranky 16-month-old. I explained how I would love to be able to assist my wife at the terminal. She thought to herself for a few minutes and finally caved in (score!). She instructed me to take a letter, which she then printed, and walk through the doors that have a sign saying, “Do Not Enter”! I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive walking through the doors and feared being tackled by Homeland Security.
As I walked towards the door I put on the extra special smile, raised the level of charm another notch and marched forward. Naturally, the security guards wanted to know why I was walking through the door that read “Do Not Enter.” I then went into my routine again and gave them my sob story about my wife and daughter. The next thing I knew, they instructed me to walk through the metal detector and proceed into the terminal.
My excitement of getting through security was short lived as I quickly realized I had no idea which gate to go to. I walked over to a security officer (the smile was back on my face and the charm was in full force) who was patrolling the immediate area and began to “shmooze” with him. During our conversation he told me how he has been working long hours and they are currently under staffed. He told me he is the only security personnel in the immediate area (I felt safe!). I once again delivered my sob story, and explained to him why I was walking around the terminal. I proceeded to tell him that I came this far, but I do not know which gate the plane will be pulling into. My new friend told me not to worry and gave me the information I needed (score!).
The plane finally landed, and I was proudly standing at the entrance of the jetway, which leads to the plane. The passengers began disembarking the plane and walking through the jetway. Suddenly it occurred to me that it is such a shame I am so close to the plane and cannot help Hope open the baby stroller as she exits the plane. It will be very difficult for her to handle a cranky Temi and open the stroller while holding a diaper bag, pocketbook and a carry on. It is such a waste for me to be so close and not be able to help with the most difficult part. Do I do it or not, do I be a chutzpa and walk through the jetway or am I finally going too far. Naturally, my fear was being arrested and making the headlines of the Columbus Dispatch. I could see it now “Terrorist suspect Avrohom Drandoff, son-in-Law of an Iraqi native (Hope’s father is from Iraq), attempted to walk through the jetway.” While I was pondering my dilemma, I recalled that I am now a best friend of the only security guard in the immediate area. I have nothing to fear. I stormed through the jetway unscathed, and successfully opened the stroller at the door to the plane before Hope even got off the plane (Score!).
Then it hit me. It would be such a shame to be standing right outside the plane when Hope can use my help carrying Temi, the diaper bag, pocketbook and whatever else she brought with her on the plane. I really should just enter the plane and help her. I must admit I was a little nervous; I was not convinced that my connections would help me get on to the plane. As I was about to accept that I have gotten only as far as I could, G-d sent me a helping hand. The Pilot of the plane was now exiting the plane. One last time I put on the smile and raised the level of charm as high as I could and told the Pilot my sob story. He looked at me and gave me the signature employee of an airline smile, and said “no problem, follow me.” I could not believe my ears. I have made it onto the plane. I am a hero and I cannot wait to tell everyone I know.
I learned a powerful lesson that evening in the Airport. If I want to accomplish big achievements I have to think big. When I started my journey through the Airport the thought of making it on to the plane never even entered my mind. Who knew at the time what I would be able to accomplish? One has to think big and believe in their abilities and realize if you take the first step Hashem will make it happen!

Question for the Shabbos Table: Are we reaching for the stars? Are we guilty of selling ourselves short? How do we work on developing a belief in ourselves to enable ourselves to climb higher heights?