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8gv · 02-11-2014, 09:40 PM

Tuesday I had a seat on SWAIR from Hartford to Tampa. I like Southwest. They're cheap. I'm cheap. It's a good match.

This flight was better than usual though.

As is my habit, I approached the gate desk and asked if they were "over". They were! I became a "voluntary" and risked losing my seat in exchange for a reward. As I walked down the jetway I heard my name called.

JACKPOT!!!!

There was a guy there who arrived last. Somebody would have to get off the plane because it was oversold by one. Since I volunteered, it would be me! He was very thankful because he was scheduled to present at a medical conference and needed to be there. The gate agent was happy because she did not have to deny the guy a seat.

Here's why I was happy:

For the difficult hardship of waiting another 45 minutes to board a different flight (with a connection) and arrive 2-1/2 hours later than planned, I was rewarded with a travel voucher for $485.

Let's see, $485 / 2.5 hours = $178/hr

Yeah, I'm good with that! But it gets better!

I was the last person to board and had trouble finding a seat. My carry on bag ended up being in the bin over row 16 and my middle seat was in row 3. Most would find this to be less than optimum but I was still celebrating my victory at the game of flight over booking.

Until the last twenty minutes of the flight there was no conversation between me and my seat mates, a husband and wife team that flanked me. Then we started discussing our dogs and as happens in these situations, our destinations and home bases.

It turns out this very nice couple resides in the lakes region and the husband participates here.

What a great flight!!!

02-11-2014, 09:40 PM	#1
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,112 Thanks: 64 Thanked 748 Times in 482 Posts	A good flight made better... Tuesday I had a seat on SWAIR from Hartford to Tampa. I like Southwest. They're cheap. I'm cheap. It's a good match. This flight was better than usual though. As is my habit, I approached the gate desk and asked if they were "over". They were! I became a "voluntary" and risked losing my seat in exchange for a reward. As I walked down the jetway I heard my name called. JACKPOT!!!! There was a guy there who arrived last. Somebody would have to get off the plane because it was oversold by one. Since I volunteered, it would be me! He was very thankful because he was scheduled to present at a medical conference and needed to be there. The gate agent was happy because she did not have to deny the guy a seat. Here's why I was happy: For the difficult hardship of waiting another 45 minutes to board a different flight (with a connection) and arrive 2-1/2 hours later than planned, I was rewarded with a travel voucher for $485. Let's see, $485 / 2.5 hours = $178/hr Yeah, I'm good with that! But it gets better! I was the last person to board and had trouble finding a seat. My carry on bag ended up being in the bin over row 16 and my middle seat was in row 3. Most would find this to be less than optimum but I was still celebrating my victory at the game of flight over booking. Until the last twenty minutes of the flight there was no conversation between me and my seat mates, a husband and wife team that flanked me. Then we started discussing our dogs and as happens in these situations, our destinations and home bases. It turns out this very nice couple resides in the lakes region and the husband participates here. What a great flight!!!