Airport Argument Taught Harsh Lesson About Picking Battles

New York – Suzanne Lucas, a human resources consultant and columnist for Inc. Magazine, writes about an airport experience where she engaged in a protracted and ultimately futile argument with an airline employee.

Lucas attempted to gate-check her carry-on bag before security, a maneuver she had performed successfully before, anticipating that the flight would be full and bags would be checked anyway. The check-in agent insisted this was not possible due to her connecting to an international flight. Lucas argued extensively, but the agent remained firm.

Upon reaching the gate, Lucas's prediction came true as agents requested volunteers to gate-check bags. Lucas was among the first to comply, and her bag was checked through to her final destination in Switzerland without issue, confirming her initial understanding.

As Lucas began to point out the absurdity of the initial refusal, her 18-year-old son intervened. "Mom, you were the ridiculous one," he stated, advising her to avoid arguing with gate agents who could affect her seating and that the argument wouldn't change the outcome. He reminded her that she knew she was right and should have simply accepted the initial denial without engaging.

The experience prompted Lucas to reflect on the difficulty of applying principles she teaches to her own life. She connects this to the improv principle of "yes, and," which encourages accepting circumstances and building upon them rather than resisting.