I jumped the gun last night in my closing statements at gate C7. I was within 5 minutes of boarding, or so I thought. As I turned off my computer and got all packed up to go, they announced, "Delta flight 4960 with services to Bloomington, IL will be at a 30 minute delay due to maintenance." Hold up.... 30 minutes? AND because of maintenance? Nothing good can come from this.
After crying children, purchasing some crackers and a diet coke, texting all of my friends to say goodbye, and that I was getting on a play that is getting maintenance, we were finally able to board.
As I stepped on the plane, we had an IMMEDIATE problem. I was seat 10 C. However, all of the seats must be marked wrong. They were marked the C was the aisle seat??? This could not be. There is NO way. In searching for a Delta flight attendant to tell her to remark all of the seats, I finally got to row 10, and notice my eager neighbor already sitting. However, she was in the aisle seat! I would normally complain and make a scene that this stupid girl could not read her ticket. But maybe she could FEEL it-- she knew she belonged in the aisle!
So perfect. She already made my life. We were discussing how the flight attendant, Bethany, hated her life, and how the kids needed to get to bed stat. She was from Monticello and knew a friend of mine from Pi Phi! (Kelly Harrington--- if you are reading this! :)). We understood each other too. It was nice meeting you and having that awkward initial conversation, but we can use electronics now, and its time for alone time with our music.
We did fly next to lightening for the entire trip so that was cool.
All in all, thank you girl who cant read her ticket, and sit in the aisle seat.. It's YOUR turn!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The First Few Contestants
Since I am starting this about a month after I started traveling, I have some Aisle Seat winners to chat about.
June 24, 2011- Flight from Bloomington to Atlanta (630 am)
As I'm sitting in seat 14 C, next to the window of course, I remember stank eyeing every single person who walked by. Who was the lucky winner this bright and early morning? Finally, an older woman sat down.
How would that be interesting? Not a child-- not a creeper man-- just a nice older lady.
Within the first 6 minutes she finally decides to talk to me. As I notice her to lean over and open her mouth, I'm so excited to make a new friend!! Just then, she finally says-- "uughhmmmhmmm. WHY are there so many children on this flight?!" I remember being shocked, as I did not think this was how my first new travel friendship would start, but I kept my smile and said, "Um.. well it's later in June, so I'm sure most schools are out." I wanted to say "duh. this is a connecting flight for Orlando Fl." But I figured it was too early for BOTH of us to be sassy. After I answered her she waved the flight attendant over. Before the flight attendant could get there, this woman had her plastic out on her tray, and said, "Get me a bloddy Mary." Yep. 6:46am Bloddy Mary. As we were taking off, she refused to turn of her Kindle, as she kept hiding it when someone would walk by. I tried very hard to creep on what reading material could be SO important that she did not need to follow the rules.
I was in no way surprised to find that this lively and not bitter older women was reading a book intitled-- "Three Ways to Die."
June 24, 2011- Flight from Atlanta to Orlando (10:43am)
I would love to brag about how happy I was sitting in seat 14 C again, because I made it all the way through shuttles and different courses to make it to my connecting flight on time with no directional issues, but, that's not what this blog is about. I'm sitting in 14 C waiting to see what next ray of sunshine will be joining me on this lovely travel day.
Finally sits down a middle aged man with shaggy brown hair. He did not even fasten his seat belt before starting to chat with me! (Don't tell Airtran-- safety issue). He got my reason for flying to Orlando, and I got his whole family and life story before take off. What a nice man and total turn around from the woman just a couple hours earlier. He then got out his book, and it was entitled, "The Social Animal."
THAT was the second I decided I needed to blog about these things. The woman who hated life from 630 in the morning was reading about three ways to die, this man who gave me a headache from talking was reading the social animal, and myself, a new young professional woman, was reading, "If You Want to Cry-- Go Outside."
Changed my life!
June 28th, 2011 Flight from Orlando to Bloomington (3:30pm)
I do not remember this one being very interesting. I remember Jamie being on my flight, and us planning to do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to get whoever was next to me to want to move. The flight attendant even promised working it out, so Jamie could be the Aisle Seat winner of the day-- but it never happened. Therefore, whoever was in aisle seat 12A that day, is dead to me.
July 9th, 2011 Flight from Bloomington to Minnesota (6:30am)
Yep. Another 630am flight. I was really nervous for the next contestant on aisle seat was going to be this day, because I started my day at 4am with my GPS not working, my lotion getting taken away at security, and my luggage not getting weighed. I knew it was one of "those" days... and could not wait to meet this character.
Do you ever have those complete strangers that you keep running into all day? Those people who are in front of you in a line, then you go get some coffee and they are right behind you, then you go to the bathroom and they are washing their hands next to you-- so you do the creep smile because you think your friends by that time, then you sit at the airport gate, and sure enough, they are within 3 seats of you. Of course that women was the next contestant on who gets Ashley's Aisle seat! She sat down and I made the comment, "Oh.. who would have imagine?!" I said it nice and friendly, but she obviously didn't see the warmth in my creeper smile at the sink earlier, and must have had no idea I ran into her all morning. I obviously did not make an impact. I then noticed she was reading a book called "Country Murders" or something like that, and I decided to keep my distance.
July 9th, 2011 Flight from Minnesota to STL (10:45am)
At this point, I had little faith in my hopes to create a blog. Yes, the first two people I met on my travels were interesting, but the next two ruined it all. As I was sitting in my window seat, I was not even watching who was coming in, because I new it would lead to disappointment. Just then this 23 year old woman sat down and said, "Man-- I am a directional retard!"
Ding ding ding........ soul mate!
We were able to connect RIGHT away with our issues of not knowing where anything is ever. She had a very interesting story with her husband being a DR. in a different country. She was SO sweet, and when I told her about my job, I was DREAMING that she would say, "oh my gosh! I'm a pi phi!" Needless to say the relationship didnt get to go that perfect. But it was great to finally have someone to make the flight go super fast, because we really connected, and were interested in what each other had to say! Making new friends on the road was back on!
Today, July 23rd, 2011 Flight from STL so Detroit
Knowing that I wanted to start this blog on my lay over in Detroit, I was again stank facing everybody that was coming in to the plane, to sit next to 21A. People kept passing, and passing and passing. The plane was filling up! Obviously my neighbor is a slacker, and will either be a hot mess, or not interesting at all. Movement on the plane stopped...... All I could keep thinking was shut up... shut up.... shut up.. SHUT UP!! Will I get this entire row to myself?? I looked around, and EVERY other seat was taken. There was no way that this full plane only had one open seat, and it was next to me. I was trying so hard not to get my hopes up, and kept waiting for the aisle seater. They then paged someone over the intercom, that if they were on the plane to flash the service light... I thought in my head, "Don't look for him! Just take off already!!"
Gates closed.
Safety checks were done.
Phones turned off.
Take off.
No one to blog about this time, but I got to lay out and sleep the entire flight!! I guess I could note the drunk losers behind me, ordering Heinikens and admiring their new haircuts.
Now..... I sit here at gate C7, waiting to board my flight to Bloomington. I am looking around this crowded gate and judging everyone. I dont want you, I dont want you, you would be okay, you have kids so no...
Wish me luck, and I know the next aisle seat winner is killing you in suspense!!!
June 24, 2011- Flight from Bloomington to Atlanta (630 am)
As I'm sitting in seat 14 C, next to the window of course, I remember stank eyeing every single person who walked by. Who was the lucky winner this bright and early morning? Finally, an older woman sat down.
How would that be interesting? Not a child-- not a creeper man-- just a nice older lady.
Within the first 6 minutes she finally decides to talk to me. As I notice her to lean over and open her mouth, I'm so excited to make a new friend!! Just then, she finally says-- "uughhmmmhmmm. WHY are there so many children on this flight?!" I remember being shocked, as I did not think this was how my first new travel friendship would start, but I kept my smile and said, "Um.. well it's later in June, so I'm sure most schools are out." I wanted to say "duh. this is a connecting flight for Orlando Fl." But I figured it was too early for BOTH of us to be sassy. After I answered her she waved the flight attendant over. Before the flight attendant could get there, this woman had her plastic out on her tray, and said, "Get me a bloddy Mary." Yep. 6:46am Bloddy Mary. As we were taking off, she refused to turn of her Kindle, as she kept hiding it when someone would walk by. I tried very hard to creep on what reading material could be SO important that she did not need to follow the rules.
I was in no way surprised to find that this lively and not bitter older women was reading a book intitled-- "Three Ways to Die."
June 24, 2011- Flight from Atlanta to Orlando (10:43am)
I would love to brag about how happy I was sitting in seat 14 C again, because I made it all the way through shuttles and different courses to make it to my connecting flight on time with no directional issues, but, that's not what this blog is about. I'm sitting in 14 C waiting to see what next ray of sunshine will be joining me on this lovely travel day.
Finally sits down a middle aged man with shaggy brown hair. He did not even fasten his seat belt before starting to chat with me! (Don't tell Airtran-- safety issue). He got my reason for flying to Orlando, and I got his whole family and life story before take off. What a nice man and total turn around from the woman just a couple hours earlier. He then got out his book, and it was entitled, "The Social Animal."
THAT was the second I decided I needed to blog about these things. The woman who hated life from 630 in the morning was reading about three ways to die, this man who gave me a headache from talking was reading the social animal, and myself, a new young professional woman, was reading, "If You Want to Cry-- Go Outside."
Changed my life!
June 28th, 2011 Flight from Orlando to Bloomington (3:30pm)
I do not remember this one being very interesting. I remember Jamie being on my flight, and us planning to do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to get whoever was next to me to want to move. The flight attendant even promised working it out, so Jamie could be the Aisle Seat winner of the day-- but it never happened. Therefore, whoever was in aisle seat 12A that day, is dead to me.
July 9th, 2011 Flight from Bloomington to Minnesota (6:30am)
Yep. Another 630am flight. I was really nervous for the next contestant on aisle seat was going to be this day, because I started my day at 4am with my GPS not working, my lotion getting taken away at security, and my luggage not getting weighed. I knew it was one of "those" days... and could not wait to meet this character.
Do you ever have those complete strangers that you keep running into all day? Those people who are in front of you in a line, then you go get some coffee and they are right behind you, then you go to the bathroom and they are washing their hands next to you-- so you do the creep smile because you think your friends by that time, then you sit at the airport gate, and sure enough, they are within 3 seats of you. Of course that women was the next contestant on who gets Ashley's Aisle seat! She sat down and I made the comment, "Oh.. who would have imagine?!" I said it nice and friendly, but she obviously didn't see the warmth in my creeper smile at the sink earlier, and must have had no idea I ran into her all morning. I obviously did not make an impact. I then noticed she was reading a book called "Country Murders" or something like that, and I decided to keep my distance.
July 9th, 2011 Flight from Minnesota to STL (10:45am)
At this point, I had little faith in my hopes to create a blog. Yes, the first two people I met on my travels were interesting, but the next two ruined it all. As I was sitting in my window seat, I was not even watching who was coming in, because I new it would lead to disappointment. Just then this 23 year old woman sat down and said, "Man-- I am a directional retard!"
Ding ding ding........ soul mate!
We were able to connect RIGHT away with our issues of not knowing where anything is ever. She had a very interesting story with her husband being a DR. in a different country. She was SO sweet, and when I told her about my job, I was DREAMING that she would say, "oh my gosh! I'm a pi phi!" Needless to say the relationship didnt get to go that perfect. But it was great to finally have someone to make the flight go super fast, because we really connected, and were interested in what each other had to say! Making new friends on the road was back on!
Today, July 23rd, 2011 Flight from STL so Detroit
Knowing that I wanted to start this blog on my lay over in Detroit, I was again stank facing everybody that was coming in to the plane, to sit next to 21A. People kept passing, and passing and passing. The plane was filling up! Obviously my neighbor is a slacker, and will either be a hot mess, or not interesting at all. Movement on the plane stopped...... All I could keep thinking was shut up... shut up.... shut up.. SHUT UP!! Will I get this entire row to myself?? I looked around, and EVERY other seat was taken. There was no way that this full plane only had one open seat, and it was next to me. I was trying so hard not to get my hopes up, and kept waiting for the aisle seater. They then paged someone over the intercom, that if they were on the plane to flash the service light... I thought in my head, "Don't look for him! Just take off already!!"
Gates closed.
Safety checks were done.
Phones turned off.
Take off.
No one to blog about this time, but I got to lay out and sleep the entire flight!! I guess I could note the drunk losers behind me, ordering Heinikens and admiring their new haircuts.
Now..... I sit here at gate C7, waiting to board my flight to Bloomington. I am looking around this crowded gate and judging everyone. I dont want you, I dont want you, you would be okay, you have kids so no...
Wish me luck, and I know the next aisle seat winner is killing you in suspense!!!
I Tweet, Not Blog.
Well, I was never in creative writing. I'm pretty funny in person and in real life, but actually writing the things that happen to me or thoughts that I have would be a stretch! Over and over again I have said, "this is not real life" or "of course this happens to me!" But-- I tell those stories, not write them. If I'm not confident in this process-- then why am I doing it??
I've noticed a lot of traveling consultants that I have met talk about starting blogs about their travels. They like to keep family and friends informed of where they are, what they are doing, and this is a way to remind them in the future of great or not so great things they were a part of. Well-- that is what my not one, but two Twitter accounts are for. So-- blogging is not for me.
As I started traveling, however, I noticed one common theme in stories that I was telling people as I arrived to destination. It was not about the awesome land mark I saw, or the terrible customer service I may have had. It was about the people who had the pleasure of sitting next to me on the airplane. What characters-- all with a different story and personality. As I got a few flights under my belt, I had stories and stories to tell friends about these interesting people, and unfortunately, I could not fit these stories in 140 characters. So there it was. The urge to start a blog.
Debbie from Jade knows I enjoy the Window seat. That way I can lay my head, and check out where we are going. So...... who gets the aisle seat?
I've noticed a lot of traveling consultants that I have met talk about starting blogs about their travels. They like to keep family and friends informed of where they are, what they are doing, and this is a way to remind them in the future of great or not so great things they were a part of. Well-- that is what my not one, but two Twitter accounts are for. So-- blogging is not for me.
As I started traveling, however, I noticed one common theme in stories that I was telling people as I arrived to destination. It was not about the awesome land mark I saw, or the terrible customer service I may have had. It was about the people who had the pleasure of sitting next to me on the airplane. What characters-- all with a different story and personality. As I got a few flights under my belt, I had stories and stories to tell friends about these interesting people, and unfortunately, I could not fit these stories in 140 characters. So there it was. The urge to start a blog.
Debbie from Jade knows I enjoy the Window seat. That way I can lay my head, and check out where we are going. So...... who gets the aisle seat?
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