Most people book a flight, board on time, and arrive at their destination with little hassle.
Dan Greer is not most people.
His trip to the Virginia Water Well Association (VWWA) Winter Conference was supposed to be routine—Durango to Dallas, Dallas to Richmond. A simple itinerary, a smooth connection, and a comfortable night’s rest before taking the stage as a speaker. Instead, his journey turned into a high-stakes battle against canceled flights, reroutes, last-minute rebookings, airport overnights, and exhaustion.
At any point, he could have said, “Forget it, I’ll try again next year.” But that’s not who Dan is. Instead of quitting, he adapted, rebooked, and refused to give up. Now, after what feels like a cross-country obstacle course, he’s finally on his way to Virginia—scheduled to land just 30 minutes before stepping onto the conference stage.
Will he make it? Buckle up. This is a wild ride.
The Perfect Plan… Until It Wasn’t
Dan’s itinerary was carefully planned—a quick flight from Durango to Dallas, a short connection to Richmond, and a solid night’s sleep before his talk. Everything was in place for a smooth and efficient trip. But then, reality hit.
A winter storm in Texas threw a wrench into his travel plans, leading to American Airlines canceling his first flight. That alone was frustrating enough, but the airline quickly rebooked him for the next day. For most travelers, this would have been the end of the story. They would have simply waited for their new flight.
But Dan wasn’t just a conference attendee—he was one of the speakers. People were expecting him, and he had a responsibility to show up. He didn’t have the luxury of waiting for the next available flight, because by then, the event would already be in full swing.
Waiting wasn’t an option. Dan needed a new plan—fast.
A Game of Airline Whack-a-Mole
Finding an alternative flight wasn’t easy. Dan searched every airline, every connection, and every possible seat. Each time he thought he had a solution, it disappeared before his eyes. One flight was sold out. Another was canceled. A third was overbooked. It felt like a game of Whack-a-Mole—except the moles were flights, and they kept vanishing just as he tried to grab one.
After hours of searching, he finally found a last-minute seat with United Airlines. It wasn’t ideal, but it would get him to Virginia. Or so he thought.
Delayed, Rebooked, and Running on Pure Determination
Dan arrived at the airport, checked in, and for a moment, it seemed like things were finally falling into place. Then—another delay.
A delay is frustrating under normal circumstances, but in Dan’s case, every lost minute was another reason to worry. Still, he refused to panic. He adjusted his schedule, rebooked his connections, and even secured a hotel in Washington, D.C. for what was supposed to be a short layover. Crisis averted—at least for now.
Then, just as quickly as he had found a solution, another delay hit.
At this point, most travelers would have given up. But Dan didn’t. Instead, he pivoted again, creating an entirely new itinerary. This time, he booked a redeye from Denver to New Jersey, followed by a final hop from New Jersey to Richmond. It was a ridiculous route, adding hours of extra travel time, but if it got him to Virginia, he was taking it.
By now, Dan had barely slept, had spent more time rebooking than resting, and still wasn’t sure he would make it. But he kept pushing forward.
Stuck on the Tarmac—And Still Not in Virginia
By this point, sleep was just a concept. Dan had made it to Denver, which was at least a step in the right direction. He just needed to board his next flight and keep moving. But Denver had one final curveball waiting for him.
As soon as his plane touched down, the pilot made an announcement: they couldn’t pull up to the gate. Why? Because another plane was stuck there for maintenance.
At this point, it almost felt comical. Every possible delay, every frustrating inconvenience, had somehow found Dan. The universe was testing him, seeing just how much one person could take before throwing in the towel. But instead of letting frustration get the best of him, he stayed focused. Complaining wouldn’t get him to Richmond. Worrying wouldn’t get him on stage. The only option was to keep moving forward.
Somehow, despite every setback, he was still on track to land in Virginia just 30 minutes before his talk.
Final Stretch: A Race Against the Clock
After multiple cancellations, rebookings, and an airport marathon that spanned multiple states, Dan was finally about to touch down in Richmond. The only catch? He had just 30 minutes before stepping onto the stage.
There was no time for a hotel, no time for rest, no time to even collect his thoughts. It would be a direct sprint from the airport to the conference venue. At this point, it felt like the final scene of an action movie—except instead of defusing a bomb or saving the world, Dan’s mission was delivering a masterclass on DOT compliance and fleet management.
Would he make it? It was going to be close.
Why Dan’s Journey Matters
Dan Greer isn’t just a speaker at the VWWA Winter Conference—he is a living example of resilience, adaptability, and commitment.
His session isn’t just about DOT compliance and fleet safety—it’s about navigating challenges, overcoming obstacles, and showing up even when everything seems to be working against you.
The attendees at the conference won’t just hear expert insights on passing DOT audits and managing fleet safety—they’ll witness a real-life lesson in perseverance.
This isn’t just a presentation; it’s proof that success is about pushing forward, no matter how difficult the road may be.
The Bigger Picture: Lessons from the Journey
We all face moments where everything goes wrong.
The path forward looks impossible.
The challenges feel insurmountable.
Quitting seems like the easiest option.
But in those moments, we have a choice.
Do we let obstacles stop us, or do we find another way?
Dan chose the latter. He could have said, “Sorry, I just couldn’t make it.” No one would have blamed him.
Instead, he reworked his plans, adapted to every setback, and kept moving forward. That’s leadership in action.
The Conference Is Happening—And Dan Is Almost There
The Virginia Water Well Association Winter Conference is in full swing. The speakers are presenting, the attendees are engaged, and knowledge is being shared.
And Dan? He’s en route, landing with just enough time to make it.
This session will likely be one of the most memorable—not just for what he teaches, but for what he overcame just to get there.
For those attending, one thing is certain: if Dan Greer is on the speaker list, you better be in that room.
Because if he went through all of this just to be there, you can be sure that what he has to say is worth hearing.
Update coming soon: Will Dan make it in time? Stay tuned!
For more details on the event, visit: VWWA Winter Conference Website
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