Traveling isn’t exactly my favorite activity. Just getting to the airport takes nearly two hours from where I live. Then, there’s the hassle of finding parking and taking a shuttle to the terminal. Once there, you have to check in and go through security—which means removing your shoes, placing your devices in a separate bin, and dealing with the long lines that always seem to form before the security checkpoint. Once you get through the security checkpoint, it feels like the worst is over—but then you remember you’re flying with Spirit Airlines.

This happened recently when Wayne and I traveled to Florida for a conference. We walked to our gate, ready to board, only to find out that our flight was delayed by three hours. It wasn’t too much of an issue—we both found ways to stay busy, got some work done, and grabbed some snacks. I tried to stay positive, which, as an introvert who struggles with pessimism, was a challenge—but it worked. I was doing okay, but then another struggle began.

We finally boarded the plane, and I thought we had decent seats—until we sat down. Instead, we were crammed into a tight space with no legroom at all. I was frustrated because the seating chart made it seem like our seats were better than those in the back. To make matters worse, the tiny tray table was practically useless. It was so small that I had to fold my laptop screen forward just to make it fit, forcing me to hunch over while my legs were painfully pressed against the seat in front of me.

Even then, I refused to let it ruin my day. I told myself, “I can make this work”—maybe even get some sermon prep done. As usual when flying, I asked about the Wi-Fi, only to be told there wasn’t any. That was the final straw. Nothing seemed to be going right, and at that moment, Spirit Airlines officially confirmed its reputation as the “hood spot” of all airlines.

Even then, I tried to stay optimistic and grateful for the privilege of attending this conference. But when I went to use the bathroom, I ran into yet another issue—the ceiling sloped downward instead of being straight, making it awkward to stand. Let’s just say the experience was “interesting,” to say the least.

I went back to my seat, just trying to get through the flight at this point. When the flight attendants came around with drinks, I realized that some weren’t free. So, I decided to pay for my row’s drinks—a small act of kindness to bring a little positivity to the experience and give myself something to feel good about. All of this was happening while we were nearly 30,000 feet in the air. 

In this brief moment of inconvenience, I had completely lost sight of something important—I should be thanking God for safety. It’s crazy to think that while soaring thousands of feet in the air, I was focused on complaining about my seat instead of being grateful for our safety. Yes, flying with Spirit Airlines was a rough experience, but one thing stood out—the hospitality of the flight attendant. She was kind, warm, and genuinely welcoming, which helped shift my focus and ease my frustration. 

Now that I’m here, I’m grateful to reunite with our beloved brothers and sisters whom we’ve missed. While Spirit Airlines may be exactly what it is, I refuse to let it break my spirit. Honestly, they might as well rename it “Shut Up Airlines”—maybe that would be a reminder for people like me to stop complaining and focus on what truly matters: the fact that I’ve arrived safely, alive, and well.