AFL Power Couple's Dream Holiday Turns into Airport Nightmare
An AFL power couple experienced every parent's worst travel fear when their carefully planned off-season getaway to Fiji nearly collapsed before it began. Collingwood star Jack Crisp and his wife Mikayla found themselves stranded at the airport, sleep-deprived and with their three tired daughters, Lilah, Sloane, and Murphy Jay, after missing their early morning flight.
A Sleepless Night and a Costly Misunderstanding
The couple had taken what they thought were all the right precautions, even booking into an airport hotel to maximise rest before their 6:15 am departure. However, the plan backfired. "Jack and I both had zero sleep last night, literally," Mikayla revealed in a weary social media post. In their exhausted state, they tragically confused the flight's departure time with its boarding time.
By the time they reached the gate, the flight had closed. Jack Crisp pleaded with staff to let his family board, desperately explaining their need for the holiday, but the rules were strict. They were too late.
Five Hours at the Airport with Three Tired Children
Facing a five-hour wait for the next available flight, a drained Mikayla turned to her online community for support. "If anyone has any suggestions on what to do in an airport for five hours with three kids it would be much appreciated," she posted, accompanied by a weary-face emoji. The situation was compounded by a need for a pharmacy, which was not yet open at that early hour.
Despite the immense stress and exhaustion, the couple were quick to express their gratitude towards the airline staff. They praised a "lovely Virgin staff member" for being both professional and empathetic during the distressing ordeal.
From Stress to Sunshine in Fiji
Fortunately, the story had a happy ending. The Crisp family was rebooked on a flight later that afternoon and finally made it to their Fijian paradise. Mikayla shared joyful holiday snaps, captioning them "just what the doctor ordered."
In a reflective follow-up post, she stressed that they were not seeking sympathy and took full responsibility for the mishap. "We really should have been more organised," she admitted, adding, "We are extremely lucky and grateful to be able to go on holidays, not everyone has that opportunity." The family's hellish morning was finally behind them, replaced by smiles and quality relaxation time in the sun.
