Survived
Posted by Donald Morales on June 21, 2022, 6:34 pm
That day I was on the waiting list for an Eastern Flt to Miami that departed at 3:30 pm. I was going to Costa Rica and wanted to make connection for a continuing flight to San Jose from Miami. But the flight was full, so I checked into a hotel to nap and await the following Eastern flight to Miami which was scheduled for 5:30, Flight 401,and on which I was confirmed, and luggage checked in. But I would not be able to make my desired connecting flight to C.R. Unknown to me was that my cousin's husband Jay was already confirmed on Flt 401, and had I know I would have been more content to take that flight and spend the night in Miami in company of a family member. Not being aware of this, and a last minute cancellation on the 3:30 flight most surely saved my life. At about 3pm I recei ed a call at the hotel from the airline, informing me that due a cancellation, and my name being on the waiting list, and if I hurried, I could make the 3:30 flight, the number of which I can't remember. Since my luggage was already checked in, there were more delays and I was able to make the flight, looking forward to making my connection for a Costa Rica bound flight at, I believe, 7:30pm or so. The flight was uneventful, I made my connection and arrived on time to be greeted by family, after which, we headed straight for a stay at the beach, completely unaware of the tragedy that was unfolding. The next day, we returned to San José, the capital where we lived. What we encountered was great sorrow and surprise. I had informed my sister that I was taking Flt 401 to Miami, but because of the last minute rush I wasn't able to notify her of the change, and she was frantically calling the airline to confirm whether I had survived or perished in the crash. My cousin was very aggrieved with sorrow for her husband, and as we had decide to spend the night at the beach without telling anyone, the family assumed that I too had perished. A last minute cancellation and not knowing that Jay was on flight 401 saved my life. I'll carry this in my heart and mind for the rest of my life, and will always have a strange spiritual connection with all those who died in the crash of Flt 401,...A flight to death that by the grace of God, I missed.
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