This occurs when I return from my annual two-week stint of active duty in the Navy Reserves. I have my Department of Defense return flight from New Orleans to San Antonio. For those in the know about the military, they typically book your flights to and from active duty sites in coach – unless you’re an officer, and I am not.
I check in at the flight desk and then again at the terminal to ensure I have my reserved seat for the flight home. Eventually, they call my boarding section, and I drag myself and my backpack onto the plane. I locate my seat only to find a woman already sitting in it. Oh my. Alright then.
Me: “Ma’am, you’re in my assigned seat.”
Woman: “No, I’m not!”
She persists in claiming she’s not in my seat. The flight attendant is summoned, and she examines my boarding pass and this lady’s flight ticket – no boarding pass in sight.
Flight Attendant: *To me* “Please step to the front of the plane, and I’ll sort it out after everyone has boarded.”
I was rather annoyed but compliant. I was worried I’d be bumped to a later flight – not ideal.
Everyone got boarded and there were no seats available in coach. None at all. BUT there was a vacant seat in First Class. And so that’s where the flight attendant seated me: in First Class next to a really nice professional golfer. I was treated to free alcohol, a delicious meal, and engaging conversation because that woman didn’t go through the proper official check-in and obtain a boarding pass.
The flight attendant even addressed me by my last name! “Ms. [My Last Name], may I get you another drink? Ms. [My Last Name], would you like a pillow? Ms. [My Last Name], how is your meal?” It was truly amazing!
Related:
Flying High On Karma Clouds
