We Are Flying To Where?

"Thanks for your expert investigation Ross. Enjoy a safe flight home", Dave said to me as he helped retrieve my suitcase from the rear compartment of his Toyota four wheel drive. Dave was the General Manager of the company's Darwin branch.

"A pleasure to help sort things out Dave. See you in the city", I replied. Dave jumped back in the driver seat and headed for the exit to the passenger set down and pick up parking area.

A brilliant fork of blue lightning skidded beneath black clouds. An enormous thunder clap followed giving me a shock. Huge rain drops pelted down. I pulled my case on wheels along the pavement, rapidly escaping the heavy shower through the self opening doors into Darwin Airport's Departure Lounge.

This was early January 1982. The wet season for Darwin. Hot, sultry, stormy and incredibly uncomfortable. Enjoy a cold shower and suffer from sweat running down your back ten minutes later. I avoided Darwin like the plague during the Northern Territories wet season from around November to February. I would send one of my team instead. However this job needed my attention this time.

I checked my luggage, and received a boarding pass which showed that my flight would board from departure lounge number ten. I walked the short distance to lounge ten. The airport at Darwin was a small, basic affair in 1982.

Fifteen minutes later I was peering out the window of the airliner from seat A in row 23. A window seat. Dave's Personal Assistant had done an excellent job rebooking me on this 3,500 kilometre night flight from Darwin to Perth.

I hadn't been due to depart Darwin for another two days. However the investigation concluded early and the PA managed to get me on this Wednesday flight. I was looking forward to getting home.

A young couple took the adjacent two seats. We affixed seat belts and took off on schedule at 1810 hours. Lightning flashed. Scary weather for flying. Drinks were served. I close a Chardonnay. The young couple each had a beer. We got talking. The couple were married on the weekend and were flying away for their honeymoon.

Dinner arrived and another drink each. Delicious.

"Have you been to Perth before?" I inquired.

"No. But it's on our bucket list," replied the newly married girl sitting in the.middle seat.

"I guess you can strike it off your list now. Where are you staying? Out on the beaches? January is a great time to stay near the ocean in Perth. Perfect swimming weather," I advised this delightful young couple. They both gave me a strange look.

"Perth? No we're staying at a hotel on the beach. But not in Perth. Adelaide!" said the young lady.

"That's a long haul for you then. Darwin to Perth. Perth to Adelaide. What time will your connecting flight depart from Perth tonight if your not staying over in Perth?

Both of them stared at me as if I might be loopy.

"This flight is going to Adelaide not Perth", said the young bloke. At this point I thought they had made a huge mistake and somehow boarded the wrong aircraft?

"No, we're going to Perth," I responded before a sinking feeling made my stomach feel weird.

An air hostess arrived and asked if we would like a drink. By now I was beginning to get worried.

"First can I ask you a silly question. This flight is going to Perth isn't it?"

The hostess gave me a....which planet are you on look.....and replied with a smile, "Perth? No Adelaide!"

I looked at her in total disbelief, extracted my air ticket from my travel wallet and looked at the port departure arrival details. Departing Darwin to ADELAIDE!

I read further. Departing Adelaide to Perth 2000 hours!

Dave's PA had failed to let me know that the only flight to Perth that night with vacant seats was via a connecting flight from Adelaide!

"Thanks," I said to the hostess, "And yes please. A Chardonnay will be great thanks"

My fellow passengers continued to look at me in wonder. How could anyone not know where their flight was going to? After our drinks arrived I spelt out what had gone wrong. The three of us enjoyed a solid laugh.

Our flight landed at Adelaide Airport. I farewelled this pleasant young couple, wishing them every happiness. Located a public phone....no mobile phones in 1982...to let my Wife Jan know about the stuff up. I wouldn't be arriving until after midnight and would get a taxi home.

I boarded my flight to Perth just before ten pm to fly west another couple of thousand kilometres.

The best laid plans of mice and men!

Cheers Ross