When we jump into any commuting system, we often buck the archetype of the system and feel some need to assume or maintain control. This seems more possible when we drive, as we pilot our cars through gridlock. But there are lessons to be learned from flight delays, as well.

My wife, Momo, and I spent roughly half a day as pieces of meat chewed in the logistical gears at Delta Air Lines on our recent trip to England and Germany. Once one small cog in the machine failed, we were essentially there for the bumpy ride and just chose to make the most of it.

We normally fly together to see Momo’s family northeast of Frankfurt twice per year. We almost always take the dinnertime Delta flight from Atlanta, putting us in her Motherland by 8 a.m. or so the next day. Even with two-plus hours in a c

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