Are you the kind of traveler who meticulously packs days—or even weeks—before departure, ensuring every detail is accounted for? Do you check the weather, plan your outfits, and pack as though prepping for a runway debut? Or do you wait until the last possible moment, cramming everything into your suitcase in a frenzy?

As a woman, when do you consider yourself truly “flight-ready”? Is it the night before, the morning of, or maybe just an hour before takeoff?

If you’re anything like me, packing tends to happen at the eleventh hour—sometimes the night before and, occasionally, even the morning of. This habit almost guarantees I’ll forget something important. Case in point: on my last trip, I left behind my water bottle, ibuprofen, and my cherished cross necklace—items that would’ve made the journey more fabulous.

The Queen of Last-Minute Prep

I admit it—I am undeniably the queen of last-minute travel preparation. My reputation for cutting it close is so well-earned that, on one occasion, I arrived at the gate after it had already closed. Miraculously, thanks to the kindness of a compassionate gate agent (and without incurring the infamous $10K fee for reopening the door), I still managed to board the flight.

Of course, the flight was fully booked by then, and my original seat had already been reassigned. The only spot left? The jumper seat. It wasn’t the most comfortable ride, but it was certainly unforgettable. The highlight of the experience was the incredulous look my travel buddy Cynthia shot me as I took my seat—a perfect mix of disbelief and amusement. That look has since become one of my favorite travel memories.

I have a knack for making flights by the skin of my teeth, often channeling my inner road warrior as I race down the highway. Once, I somehow managed to get from my house to Hobby Airport in just eight minutes—a feat that still feels legendary (cue my best Barney Stinson voice: “It was legen—wait for it—dary!”).

That day, everything aligned perfectly: no train stalled me on Mykawa Road, I snagged a parking spot in the garage almost instantly, and I miraculously made it to the gate just in time. It felt like hitting the jackpot. With my flight secured, I was on cloud nine, ready to enjoy my holiday, all thanks to some last-minute luck and a dash of determination.

Time and I: A Complicated Relationship

Punctuality has never been my strong suit. Time and I have always had a complicated relationship—it just doesn’t seem to agree with me. Whether it’s school, doctor’s appointments, or catching a flight, being on time has always felt like an elusive goal. You know that saying, “Early is on time, and on time is late”? Well, I seem to operate on a whole other timeline.

This habit, unfortunately, runs in the family. While I won’t name names to spare anyone’s pride (and save my ears), let’s just say I come by it honestly. Growing up, I was perpetually late for school, often slipping into homeroom five or ten minutes past the bell. That habit followed me into my early jobs—whether it was at the library, the bank, or the bookstore. If punctuality was a job requirement, I tested the limits. Yet somehow, I’ve never been fired for my chronic lateness—a miracle in itself.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve worked to be more mindful of time and considerate of others. I’ve even developed a few hacks to help me manage my schedule better. For airline travel, lounges have been a game-changer. They’ve become my secret weapon, offering a bonus incentive for arriving early. There’s something about those serene, oasis-like spaces that makes me actually want to beat the clock—if only to escape the chaos of the main terminal.

The Pre-Flight Time Sinks

Adding to my complicated relationship with time is my tendency to schedule hair and nail appointments right before traveling. As essential as these rituals feel, they always seem to take up far more time than I anticipate. It’s a pattern I’ve stuck to for years—cramming in these last-minute beauty appointments to look as fresh as possible for my trip. But when I’m on a tight schedule, these “quick” appointments become time sinks. A non-gel nail appointment that should take an hour suddenly stretches into two, and hair appointments seem to drag on forever, especially when I know I still have an unpacked suitcase waiting for me.

Take, for instance, the infamous trip I mentioned earlier. I decided to squeeze in a body wrap spa treatment right before heading to the airport. Spoiler alert: it was a terrible idea. I completely underestimated the time it would take, not to mention Atlanta traffic, which added insult to injury. The outcome? Well, let’s just say the previous paragraph holds all the answers. 🙃

The Thrill of Just Barely Making It

My older sister once told me I must secretly enjoy the adrenaline rush of almost missing flights—the thrill of just barely making it to the gate. And honestly? She might be onto something.

For my birthday trip this year, though, I decided to shake things up and try a more organized approach. I got my hair and nails done the day before (a major milestone for me), boarded my dog early, and even carved out time to pack and tidy the house. For once, I went the extra mile and planned my travel outfit in advance.

Despite my best intentions, I was still late. Yes, I missed my flight—again. But this time felt different. I wasn’t frantic, rushing through the airport, or pleading to skip the security line. Instead, I was calm, collected—even chic, if I do say so myself. I had enough time to pause, take a deep breath, and genuinely enjoy a compliment from a stranger. It was almost as though I had mastered the art of missing a flight gracefully.

The More Things Change, the more they stay the same

So, what went wrong? Why did I still miss the flight? It all came down to a series of misjudgments. My 8:55 AM Southwest flight required me to arrive at the airport at least three hours early, as per international travel protocols. But I convinced myself that Hobby Airport is small and doesn’t require such an early start. Besides, with no lounge to relax in, what was the point of getting there so far in advance?

That overconfidence set the stage for disaster. I left late, got stuck waiting for a train to pass, and discovered that the eco-parking lot now requires reservations—a detail I hadn’t accounted for. Those delays quickly snowballed, and by the time I reached the baggage kiosk, it was too late to check my bags.

If I’d been traveling light, I might have still made it to the gate by 8:30 AM. But as every traveler knows, your luggage must accompany you. With my bags grounded, so was I.

Lesson Learned?

The result? With my bags booked on the next flight, so was I.

Did I learn my lesson? Only time will tell.