| Bethan was very anxious to take her first flight, where she could actually FLY up in the air instead of just sitting in the plane waiting to find out that the plane had mechanical problems and that it was unable to take off (she did that in 2006). Ron gave us his expiring US Airways miles to take a trip to visit the Woodard family in Cincinnati over our 5 day Veteran's Day weekend. For just $20 I flew with Bethan and Thomas (who was a lap sitter). We left on Friday morning from Rochester airport. Upon check in we were rerouted through Charlotte since Philadelphia was already backed up with delays. I asked Bethan how she liked her long awaited flying time and she answered with an unenthusiastic 5 on a 10 point scale. (This was BEFORE she got stuck in the airplane lavatory.) She went as far as concocting plans to allow her to ride back home in a van or car with Aunt Gail or Grandma reasoning that Cousin Eli could fly home with me. Even with a layover in Charlotte that allowed us to enjoy lunch using my Chili's gift card, we arrived earlier than planned into Cincinnati. Our weekend plus with our Woodard cousins was fantastic. They even threw Bethan an early birthday party with a princess theme. From the party, Bethan obtained 3 tiaras and asked to wear 1 for her flight home. Our return trip took us through Philadelphia. Aunt Gail was great at getting us to the Cincinnati airport for our 6:15 am flight and even had the opportunity to catch the plane princess in the air booth at security. I asked at check-in if we might be able to manage one of the two earlier flights from Philadelphia Rochester but I was told that they were booked solid. We arrived in Philadelphia at our scheduled time, four hours before our connecting flight to Rochester, NY. Bethan was a great help assisting Thomas and me to the croissant shop and we even enjoyed watching several planes arrive and depart to and from the F terminal. Eventually, we made our way back to our gate F30 with a flight to Louisville departing before our flight to Rochester would even be listed. Next door at gate F28 there was the listing for the Rochester flight departing at 10am. We had already been 2 hours in the Philadelphia airport and had two more hours ahead of us before our flight was scheduled to depart. With a mix of exhaustion and hope I approached the fellow at the F28 gate check in podium. I smiled and waited for him to finish up some work he was occupied with and then asked if there was any possibility for my children and me to take the 10am flight to Rochester instead of the 11:35am. He explained that it could be done, but for a $50 transfer fee (per ticket). He then quickly added that since the flight had plenty of room and he'd be happy to get us on the 10 am flight as ill travelers for no extra fees. Seeing Bethan, he added that he certainly felt obligated to accommodate all princesses (perhaps it was in fact in their bylaws). When he accidentally printed out four tickets for the three of us, I invited him along and told him I'd cook him some dinner. He winked and told me no thank you, explaining that he always makes it his habit to never eat meals cooked by anyone traveling as ill. We landed safe in Rochester at 11:25 am - ¦10 minutes before our scheduled flight even departed from Philadelphia. Lesson learned for future travels: add princess tiara to my packing list along side sense of humor |
| TRAVELING WITH THE PLANE PRINCESS |