Decision to call right person

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

This is a real life story happened with me some 10 years ago.

It was busy Airport in Europe and I was rushing with heavy luggage to security checks and immigration. My stay in Europe was 3 months and in UK was 3 weeks.

At the check In counter itself I was stuck due to excess baggage. I preferred to pay extra money and passed through the check in counters. Then was in the queue for security checks. It is always terrifying to pass through the security check. somehow after removing my safety shoes I could walk freely towards immigration counter.

There was big queue here again and I was getting delayed for the flight. The guy sitting on the counter was very slow. I tried to push him a bit but he did not bother.

Finally when I arrived at the window he started checking my passport carefully and I got annoyed at him. He calmly said please meet my boss in the office I can’t allow you to go. I was shocked to hear that. He handed me over to his senior officer and went off. I was shocked at this behaviour and asked the officer what is the problem. And the officer replied that I have stayed illegally in their country. The only punishment is going to prison. He said he will call police and handover me to police and they will take care of the case further. Normally I am cool in such situations and asked him for my passport and realised that my travel agent has made wrong visa. He made 3 weeks for Europe and 3 months for UK. This was the biggest mistake and even I did not check this. The clause on the visa ‘Period of stay ‘

I tried to explain the mistake made by my travel agent to the officer but he said I can’t help. Then I decided to call my colleague from European office. He was quite enterprising and assertive. I requested the officer to talk to my colleague. He managed to convince him to charge me fine in Euros and then I would have released. He started writing the report and read it to me. Then he said please take out the money and count it and place it on the table. I followed his instructions.

In the meantime my Airline was continuously announcing my name because flight was getting delayed.

Finally after all the formalities I was released and allowed to board the flight.

Everyone in the flight was staring at me with anger.

My one decision to call right person helped me a lot.

Have a great day ahead.