For my inaugural post, it seems fitting to use the most recent travel disaster…

Trip type: Business

Airline: AirTran

Route: ATL-MSP

I’m just getting settled in my window seat (as is my usual wont, I have boarded as soon as possible (not an easy thing to do on an airline with which I have no status but luckily AirTran seems to have maybe two other businesspeople aboard, so it’s a little easier to avoid the rush endemic to Delta flights)) when the gentleman who has the middle seat shows up. He stows his bag above and sits down.

Guy: “Hi!”

Me: “Hi.”

Guy: “Have you heard the good news?”

Sigh. All I can think is:

1. Does this really happen in REAL life?

2. Must this be happening to me right now?

3. Sir, we are on a very expensive form of public transportation. A flying bus if you will. Just because we are seated next to each other does not mean you get to start spewing your religious beliefs at me.

Luckily, I was quick under pressure. My response was:

“That the flight’s on time? Yes. If you’ll excuse me, I need to call my husband quickly before we takeoff.” I then proceeded to fake-call E and have a lengthy “conversation” with him about our Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur plans. Oy those things get complicated!