I had no thought what to call this publish, however I do not wish to hold attempting to consider one thing else, hahaha.
Final week, I used to be actually eager to get out of the home and simply go somewhere–anywhere. My dad and mom, in addition to Jeanie and Shawn, are in Hilton Head, South Carolina proper now. My dad and mom go down yearly to take pleasure in nicer climate within the chilly months of Michigan.
They’ve at all times wished Jerry and I to go down there (with the children in fact) for per week or perhaps a few days, however we’re not “seaside” folks and it simply is not a spot that we have had curiosity in visiting. (Noah and Eli have gone, although.) Final week, the thought simply popped into my head to go down there (alone) and shock my dad and mom. Since Jeanie and Shawn are there now as nicely, I requested Jeanie if they may decide me up from the airport if I used to be capable of go. She favored the thought too, so the following step was to ask Brian for a buddy move to fly.
The price of a ticket was insane–about $1000–so that was out of the query. Being a pilot, Brian has “buddy passes” that he can let mates/household use to fly for affordable (to go to Hilton Head is $187 with a buddy move). The most important drawback with utilizing a buddy move is that you do not have a confirmed seat. The very best half is that you do not have to plan forward; you may actually determine proper earlier than the flight if you wish to be listed for standby. It is sort of enjoyable to make use of for last-minute journeys!
Sadly, Delta would not fly immediately into Hilton Head anymore, so I might should fly into Savannah. And there aren’t direct flights from Detroit to Savannah, so Brian mentioned I might should go from Detroit to Atlanta, after which Atlanta to Savannah (the place Jeanie would decide me up).
My bank card would solely get charged after making the flight, so if I did not make it on, then I would not should pay for it. I might deliberate to move down on Thursday and the flight was trying increasingly more full. By Wednesday night time, Brian mentioned that he was very assured that I’d *not* make it on the flight (which means there weren’t many open seats and the checklist of standby passengers was lengthy).
On Thursday, Brian mentioned the whole lot was trying okay for the primary flight (5:20 am) on Friday. The issue was that flights from Atlanta to Savannah had been full for all the flights besides the primary one (which might be my connection). That meant that if I did not get on the primary flight in Detroit (to Atlanta), even when I took a later flight, I’d doubtless get caught in Atlanta.
I understand that is all complicated, haha. Anyway, I made a decision to go for it–Brian mentioned it will in all probability be *very* shut whether or not I acquired on the flight or not, however I used to be actually hoping I might be capable to go. So I left the home at 3:45 am for the airport (Jerry dropped me off after which went out for espresso to attend and listen to from me whether or not I made the flight.
After I acquired to the gate, I nervously watched the app, seeing my title approach on the backside of the checklist. Because the flight stuffed up, a number of the standby passengers got seat assignments. Based mostly on the variety of seats open and the variety of folks on the checklist, it began to appear like I may not make it. Nonetheless, issues change proper up till the final second.
Ultimately, I used to be third on the standby checklist. And there was solely ONE seat open. I observed that the 2 folks forward of me had been doubtless touring collectively (similar final title) and I hoped that since there was just one seat left, they’d move it up–and then it will be ME that acquired the final seat!
Then it acquired complicated for a second. After checking with the couple, the gate agent truly gave me a seat task after which the second my title got here from her mouth, a flight attendant got here out and mentioned that there was another open seat… so there have been truly TWO out there. And naturally, the couple on the checklist forward of me acquired the seats.
I used to be so bummed. Flying on a buddy move is rarely a assure, so I knew I many not make it–still, it was disappointing to be *that* near getting on the flight! It did get me to begin desirous about going some place else, although. I’ll take a spontaneous journey quickly 🙂
