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!"

[NancyW]

Love your story.

[Brenda Sue]

TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Saoirse3]

After that, I used to tell my kids I was leaving for Maconga in a rowboat!

[Sweet*Southern*Lady]

SO true !!! Dear Boyfriend almost missed a flight cause of the IPOD! grr. Cute story!

[Marybeth]

Excellent advice, thank you!!! (coming from someone who's been arranging travel for many years!!!)

Maconga... I'll keep laughing about that one for a while!!!

[Debby]

And United Airlines will not in anyway shape or form honor the free voucher they gave you because you were a good sailor and gave up a seat when they over booked their aircraft if you book 13 days in advance and not 14 per the fine print... You can tell them alll you want that you are just trying to go see your Mom before you deploy to Iraq they dont care.. your gonna pay 1200 for your ticket...

[CaroleY]

wow.... not cool. United Airlines is now on my "do not use" list... what a real unprofessional and incompassionate thing to do... I understand the 14 day rule, but he gave up his seat with NO time consideration. Carma, baby, carma...

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Loved your story and we travel to MACONGA often :-)

[j e j]

I was at my lunch break when I read your post and I could't help it. I started laughing and everybody look at me like if I'm insane. But it was very funny. Just what we need before we let go our sons or daughters. Keep up with the good comments. Love this site.

[michaelsmom(ship14/div195)]

OMG this is too funny thanks for sharing :)

[NurseNavyMom(Shelia)]

OMG! I can't stop laughing!! We need a stand up comic to make a whole show about things like this. It would be hilarious. I can see this on SNL too. LOL!!!My sides are hurting from laughing and tears in my eyes.

[Saoirse3]

Okay, story time AGAIN! It was the Friday afternoon of a 3-day holiday weekend and those that could were getting out of the city on just about anything they could. The ticket counter was hopping with Sailors and Marines, ready to spend their hard earned paychecks. One Sailor approached cautiously. "Where are you headed?" I asked cheerfully. He motioned for me to come closer and he whispered "The North!"
"The north of WHERE?" I asked.
"YOU know! The 'North'. Mama said it was a terrible place, full of Yankees and loose women and drinkin' liquor and all. But Daddy said I was a man now. So, I just wanna see the 'North" for myself!"

I often wondered about future duty stations for him and prayed he would never tell Mama if he had orders to Great Lakes! And it may not have been the brightest thing I ever did, but I sold him a ticket to Gettysburg, PA. I figured that was all the "North" he needed.