Last week we were on vacation in Phoenix, AZ where the temperatures were in record 90’s for this time of year. It was wonderful. Chilling by the pool, sun bathing, driving to Sedona and the Grand Canyon were the required activities of the week. We took lots of pictures which we will share in the next few days. That is a beautiful part of the Union in many ways: the weather, the view, the landscape, and the people were very friendly.

From our non-rev travels to Arizona we learned this time to stay at the gate until the airplane leaves, no matter what, no matter that all seats were taken, no matter that there were 20+ stand-by, non-rev passengers above you. But because they were not at the gate just before the departure, we took advantage of the fact that 4 regular passengers missed their flight due to whatever unfortunate for them circumstances. It was pretty amazing. Some told us we were crazy to non-rev travel during the Spring Training and the Spring break. All went well. Some would call it “so lucky” others call it being in the right place at the right time, while we call it being very blessed.

On the way back from Phoenix there were no empty seats for couple of days in a row so we drove to San Diego, CA to catch a flight. It was a nice 5+ hour drive through Arizona and California’s dessert dunes and mountains.

We definitely would like to go back to Phoenix Arizona some day again.

We traveled as non-rev (non-revenue) passengers. This means that our tickets were stand-by. If there are extra seats on the airplane we go, if not, we stay. Everyone who travels using this non-rev employee benefit knows this and is prepared for the worst.

A night before the computer system showed that there were still 6 seats available. At 6:30 in the morning of the next day we showed up at the gate. We only needed 3 seats. (Lynnea was working that weekend.) As the time drew closer to departure at 7:30, the gate agent informed us that due to the weight and balance of the air plane we will not be able to go. Disappointed we started to draw a contingency plan.

We continued to hang around the gate because we were told to always wait until the airplane pulls away from the gate (thanks Vanessa), just in case. We were standing close to the counter, trying to have a good time, joking around and laughing. There were other 4 stand-by passengers in the same predicament, however, not with the same attitude. As soon as the gate agent announced that we all can not go one lady from the party of 4 became visibly angry and started to harass the gate agent. Keep in mind that this lady is a mother of a Midwest Employee whose flight benefits they were using. This “lady”, and I use this term very loosely, was yelling at the gate agent while being on the phone with someone. She demanded to know the gate agent’s name and called the agent some names that I will not mention here.

Needless to say, this did not accomplish anything.

Or did it?

A moment later, the gate agent pointed at me and called me to approach her. “How many people in your party?” she asked. “There are just 3 seats that became available if you are ready to board the plane.” – Said the gate agent in a voice loud enough for the outraged “lady” to hear. As we were boarding the plane I heard the gate agent explaining to the “lady” something about seniority. Our stand-by tickets were given by more senior employee than her tickets, so we get the priority.

After all we made it to Florida, and the kids were very happy to see their grandma and grandpa. Most important, they learned a lesson of having a good attitude no matter what. It is OK to be disappointed when things do not work out, but never give up, keep the good attitude and never resolve to name calling.

I wonder if in addition to thanking my wife and Midwest Airlines for this trip, I should also thank that “lady?”