The first flight

So both of my jobs have benefits.  At the Y, we get a very cheap family membership and half price on classes.  I'm signing up for swimming lessons soon and maybe we'll take on a few other activities.  We'll see how crazy we want life to get.

The airport gets me free flights flying standby on any United flight.  Anywhere United flies, I can fly standby for free.

We tried it out.  

We had planned a 12 day trip to IA and MN way back in May - maybe earlier.  When I went to the interview, I mentioned our plans for the trip.  My new boss was not eager or hopeful, but offered a bit of promise.  As time went on, I started devising plans in my head as to how the kids could still have the vacation, but I would have to stay back and work.  And I started putting the plan into action.  It took lots of sacrifice and miles and time from many people, but it happened.  THANK YOU!

It started a bit rocky.  Monday, August 6, I flew with the kids from Muskegon to Chicago.  The first flight.  It was funny to watch the reactions when the cargo bin closes or when the wheels are released for landing.  Overall they did great and really enjoyed it.

We tried to catch a flight to Sioux Falls, SD that afternoon.  I knew it was going to be close.  We went knowing that there really weren't enough seats, but my boss told me to go because, in his words, all we needed was one flight to be late and have a few people miss their connection and we would get on.  So, we went for it.

We were waiting to get on.  I had checked in with the gate agent so she knew who we were and that we needed 5 seats.  She was rooting for us, but not so hopeful.  I asked the kids if they would fly without me if 4 seats were available, and they said no.  The gate agent said the same thing!  The time for our plane to board came and went.  About 10 more minutes flew by and in that time, a few people who's flights had been late, showed up - one lady was REALLY late getting to the gate.  Our plane finally boarded.  There were 4 seats left. So, we didn't fit.  But, we would have fit if they had left on time.  Such is life flying standby!

So, I listed us on the flight to fly back to Muskegon.  I told the kids they had a story to tell when they got back to school anyway.  Who else got to fly to Chicago, have a McDonald's shake in the airport and fly back home this summer?