DO NOT book the last flight of the day!

[Saoirse3]

Hi, there!

Having worked in airline reservations for 20 years, please let me give a few tips for flying your son or daughter home for leave.  I know you want to spend as much time as possible together.  Everyone does!  But DO NOT book the last flight of the day, when your kid has to be back on base by the next morning.  WEATHER happens (I live in Alaska, ask me about weather!).  Planes break.  Pilots get sick or can't fly because of DOT restrictions.  The airlines do not keep a steady supply of planes handy at each airport to just "bring in another plane."  And as callous as it sounds, if Seaman Junior misses his flight, the airlines offer little sympathy.  They don't CARE if traffic was backed up for 6 miles because the Space Shuttle was launching, the snow is 40 feet deep, you had to stop to let a moose cross, or you got abducted by aliens.  If it CAN leave on time, IT WILL.  And even if it is still at the gate, once those doors close, that's it.  The flight is officially GONE!  Mom, Dad, or the King of Norway can't get it back.  And beating up the gate agent is NOT an option!

Don't give you child food from home to take with him.  It won't be allowed past the security gate.  Only items purchased in the gate area are deemed safe to bring onboard.  Tell him or her to save the iPod for the plane.  He can't hear a gate call if he has competition from Lady Ga Ga.  And if you want to give him a gift, make it something replaceable.   Grandpa's watch, or a genuine Picasso is NOT what he/she wants to bring to boot camp.  Knit them a hat or have a t-shirt made.  Photo keychains are great too!

I hope I haven't offended anyone and I apologize if I have.  I'm just offering advice because I am the one who fielded the calls from frantic parents.  I remember a night at the ticket counter in San Diego, years ago.  A marine came up to the desk practically in tears.  He had been at Camp Pendleton and now he was going to an exotic country he had never heard of.  He was terrified.  It sounded jungle-y and he was sure he would be eaten by wild animals, cannibals or worse.  "Where are you going, son?" I asked softly.  "MACONGA!" he wailed pitifully.  WHERE???  "Let me see a copy of your orders!" I said.  I took one look and almost doubled over in hysterics.  "It's awful, isn't it?" he sniffed.

"Honey", I said, "you're going to Macon, GEORGIA!  The US of A!"  He gave a great shout and picked me up and twirled me around.  "THANK YOU!!!  Mama will be SO happy!"

[Katie *USS Milius Wife*]

That is cute. My hubby is from a small town in the mountains of Virginia and I was born and raised here in Southern California, you should have been there when I first met his family. I am still a novelty to a lot of them and get funny questions because we live at the beach here in California and a lot of them have never left Virginia. I bought Mardi Gras beads while back there for a fundraiser I went to. That night when I got back to my in-laws they asked me how I got all those necklaces I told them I flashed for them. I thought his cousin was going to faint. My husband thought it was the funniest thing ever and his Mom thought it was funny too. She likes making people blush.

[Navy Mom in MA]

LMAO Saoirse3 ! great stories! thanks for sharing! I have a sailor who thinks airline tickets and money grows on trees! and the plane will wait and back up if necessary just to let him on it.

[Storymom]

thanks for the tips, and the great story!

[jdmom65(ship13 div 245)]

lmbo This is Hilarious! Thanks! I needed this.

[marinewifenavymom]

OMG!!! Toooo funny! I can just picture the panicked look on that Marine's face. I was younger and travelling to europe with my parents to visit family and the couple behind us were trying to figure out why the plane was going to BAGGAGELABEL... my parents took a look at the "ticket" and realized it said "baggage label." I still chuckle over it, lol. I have to say, MACONGA is funnier though! I actually had United cancel an entire flight plan because they cancelled our son's flight BACK to A school in GL. They said he could go the day before and I said that was unacceptable. They cancelled it and I booked him on Southwest. Southwest was VERY helpful when I was trying to change his flight leaving GL. There was an ice storm coming in and I was able (with a LOT of help and patience from the reservation lady on the phone) to get it worked out. I will fly Southwest whenever possible, they're awesome!
Thanks again for the chuckle