Traveling can be stressful, especially when trying to catch a flight. That’s why it’s essential to stay organized and track all the details. But sometimes, even the most prepared travelers can make a silly mistake, as I learned on a recent trip.
I was traveling with a group, and one member was scheduled to depart at 6 pm. The day before their departure, they called me frantically, explaining that they needed to get everything done in time for the next day. I was confused since they still had plenty of time before their flight, but I assumed they just wanted to be super prepared.
The next day, I received a call from them at around 10 AM. They started the conversation by saying, “Asshur, I am so embarrassed.” I immediately raced, thinking of all the possible things that could have gone wrong. But what they told me next caught me completely off guard.
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“I got to the airport this morning at about 4 AM,” they said, “and they told me my flight had already left the evening before. I was cursing them out, wondering how the flight left that early and what kind of customer service this was.”
I was confused. I asked, “Doesn’t your flight leave at 6 pm, 18:00 hrs?” They responded, “Yes, that’s what I realized after going off on them. They looked at my ticket and told me the flight leaves this evening.”
It turned out that my friend had misinterpreted the 24-hour time notation on their ticket. They had assumed that 18:00 hrs meant 8 am, not 6 pm. This simple mistake caused them to arrive at the airport 14 hours too early, leading to a humorous but embarrassing situation.
This incident highlights the importance of understanding the 24-hour time notation, especially when traveling internationally. In many countries outside the US, the 24-hour time notation is the standard format for expressing time. Additionally, many international airlines use this notation on their tickets and schedules.
Learning the 24-hour time notation is not tricky. It requires practice and familiarity with the system. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s a valuable skill to have, not just for traveling but also for daily life.
In the end, my friend made it to their destination safely and had a good laugh about the situation. I hope this story has brought a smile to your face too and serves as a reminder to double-check your travel details before heading to the airport.