I purchased my plane ticket for a trip to Costa Rica in August this morning, and somehow in the process I inadvertently checked the “Blind, Needs Assistance” box. I did not notice this error until I was reading through my finalized and printed itinerary, and being that Caitlin and I are easily amused, we immediately dissolved into hysterics. Once I’d calmed down, I decided that I should probably call Travelocity to make the necessary adjustments.
I managed to keep myself together until I actually got the customer service representative on the phone, at which point I started giggling a little. Then Caitlin appeared at my desk to listen to the phone call, and I lost it completely. Gasping through peals of laughter, I explained to the gentleman on the phone what I had done. He was unable to understand me at first, and asked if I was trying to change the dates of my trip. I explained that I was not, and directed him to the section of the itinerary that indicated that I was blind and in need of assistance.
Apparently Caitlin and I are not alone in our warped sense of humor, because the man started laughing as well. Chuckling heartily, he asked if I wanted to change that designation, and when I said yes, he put me on hold to make the necessary changes. In the meantime, Caitlin and I were literally crying from laughing so hard.
BUT THEN my boss and another company executive appeared at my cubicle. I tried to surreptitiously wipe away my tears and assist them while still on hold with Travelocity. I had just managed to return to normal my state of calm dignity when the representative returned to the phone and informed me, “Okay ma’am, I’ve made the changes to indicate that you are in fact not blind and in need of assistance.”
And there went my professionalism.