“A normal workday turned into a case of man versus plane, at a time when airport security was far less than it is today. Otherwise, it may have been the last story of my life.
I was on a business call as I awaited my flight when I looked up to see the boarding area completely empty. I ran to the gate. “I have to get on that plane. I have an important meeting and my video crew is already on board.”
“Your seat has been given to a standby passenger,” the attendant said. “The plane has already left.”
I looked through the large plate glass windows behind her at the runway. “Turn around and look,” I pleaded. “The plane is right there. I’ve got to get on it.”
“You’re too late. You missed it,” she said and walked away.
Where others would have conceded defeat, I was undeterred. I took a deep breath, pushed open the emergency exit door to the tarmac, and walked toward the runway as the alarm blared. I approached the small commuter plane, unsure what would happen next. I didn’t have to wonder long. The pilot barged out of the plane, straight for me.
His bewilderment was no match for my singular determination to board the plane. Minutes later, the standby passenger was escorted off. The video crew couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. “Dude, you stared down a plane and it blinked first.” I found the open seat and started reading a book, victorious and oblivious to the havoc I’d caused for everyone on the flight. Against the odds, I had made it happen. Now let’s get this flight going.”
STARING DOWN A PLANE – THE STORY OF WITH – BY ALLEN ARNOLD
ANOINTED TO SERVE - Miriam Jacob 