I live in DC, and we’ve got a weekend of snow.  Lots of warning this time, the worst quietly arriving while we’re snug in our beds.  But I’m thinking of last weekend and a different Saturday.  I was traveling from sunny Florida to snowy Baltimore, home from a long vacation.  And I’m thanking those who got me safely home.   Are they helping others safely home today?

Last Saturday, sitting in Florida my flight looked tricky.  The storm was moving quickly.  First a delay, then word that Baltimore airport was ‘under advisory’ and our flight could be diverted.  We boarded, settled in our seats, and looked around.  The pilot spoke, ‘We are going to Baltimore.’  His voice strong, we all relaxed and had our drinks.  Rough flight, no visibility, but we got to Baltimore – five minutes early and a good flight all the way.  Leaving the plane, we thanked the pilot.  He stood smiling, confident, and had never wavered.

I’d used a car service for the airport, and called when my flight arrived.  I had to wait – they were sending an SUV, the town car had to turn back.  I got my bags and waited.  I listened to travelers on the phone with family – terrible roads, icy roads, cars all over, delays, accidents.  I waited.

The SUV arrived.  The driver, smiling, headed for my snow covered bags.  ‘Get in, get in!’ he urged, ‘It’s warm inside!’  We headed out of the airport.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  The highway wasn’t plowed, cars were in ditches, cars were fishtailing, sticking, spinning.  My driver went slowly, in the grooves of other cars.  Police cars, tow trucks were helping drivers.  It was dark, snowing, no plows in site.

‘What happened?’  I asked.  ‘It came quickly and now it’s this,’ my driver said.  He was an older man, from Ghana, and a careful driver, staying at 35 miles per hour.  ‘It doesn’t pay to go fast,’ he explained.  ‘Do what you think is best’, I said, ‘You’re doing great.’  I couldn’t believe he had come out in this night.  The road was dangerous, snowy, icy, cars off the road everywhere.  He drove slowly.  It was a long hour on the road.

We reached my exit, and I guided him the safest way  – few hills, few curves.  We reached my street – a downward hill.   ‘I can walk and carry my bags from here – don’t go down that hill.’ I said.  ‘Let me see’, he said as he drove a few yards down the hill.  ‘It’s okay’, he said, ‘I can do it’.  He stopped in front of my house, then carried my bags to my door.  I was home.

When you travel in bad weather, thank yous and tips are not enough for those who get you safely home.  They do a hard job well.  I flew Southwest and will fly them again, and will always ask Roadmasters for the older man from Ghana who drove me safely through the snow.  And I’m thinking of him and the pilot on this snowy day as they’re no doubt guiding others safely home.