Travel Tales

I had good flights to and from Springfield this Christmas. No snow. No rain. No delays. There were a couple of things that were a little strange.

The flight out from DC to Dallas/Ft. Worth was overbooked. They made an announcement about it. They also said that people in Group 4 would have to fit there carry on luggage under the seat in front of them. If it didn’t fit under there, the luggage would have to be checked. They came on again asking people to volunteer to check their carry ons because again they were overbooked and there would not be enough overhead bin space. The luggage would be checked to your final destination and there would be no charge for it.

Later they came on and asked for volunteers to give up their seats because the flight was overbooked. They offered a $300 travel voucher. They made a point of adding that it had no restrictions on it. Also that you would be booked on the next flight out to Dallas. If Dallas had been my final destination, then I might have been interested in doing that but it wasn’t. So I stayed put.

On the way back there was an even better deal. The flight was from Springfield to Chicago. They started out offering a $300 voucher. You also would have a confirmed seat on the 1:45 flight to Dallas. A little time passed and they made another offer a $500 voucher. The final offer was 1500 frequent flyer miles and the $500 voucher. If they couldn’t get someone to take that then someone would have to be bumped. That would be the last person to purchase a ticket. I think someone tried to take them up on the offer As I learned from the person sitting next to me on the flight to Chicago, a guy did volunteer but he wanted to be rebooked to a flight on Dec. 30. The airline wasn’t able to accommodate him. But the thing is I’m not sure anyone was bumped from the flight.

And those are my travel tales from this December.

A Few Last Christmas Decorations

MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2011

The Stockings Are Overflowing

Our stockings had so much stuff in them that they could not be hung on the chimney with care. Second picture is what was in my stocking. I have to say buying for stockings is as much fun as getting the full size presents for people.

Presents to All

Presents to Me

I got this great hooded sweatshirt. Here I'm channeling my inner gansta here which I obviously need a lot more practice with.

More Presents

Here's my dad with a couple of his presents. A turtle to put out in his garden. Then a book about All My Children the soap he liked to watch that went off the air this year. Ed and Jennifer with their new griddle. Jennifer also has on her new scarf. Then a picture of a couple of characters.

The Meal

Jennifer prepared an absolutely wonderful Christmas dinner. The turkey in particular came out really well. There was of course mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, green beans, rolls and jello. And not one but two types of pies! Lemon Meringue and Dutch Apple.