An airline 1st

I got to the airport with no problem (tell Hany thanks again!!), but found a long security line. No biggie, since I had plenty of time and the line was going pretty quickly.

Once I got up to the security line, the woman, who was obviously having a bad Monday morning, grabs my stuff, rips open my zipp lock bag (tore, not just opened) and grabs my face wash. Apparently, it was in a container too large, and it appeared to have an ounce too much in it. Thinking this was no big deal, I apologized a million times, and tried the "oh, I didn't know; but they let me through before; no one said anything in Dallas. . ." excuses. She wasn't having any of it. She threatened to throw me out and call security and then send me back through the line to have my bags checked. I tried to calm her down and told her it was only 4 bucks worth of soap, just through it out if it was that bigga deal. (After all, $4 is a lot easier to deal with then missing my plane because of her annal-retentiveness). She didn't like that idea either, but finally agreed, and after 5 minutes let me through to the gate.

Well, when I first walked into the airport, I came in right at the information kiosk. I went and asked where my gate was, and the lady there said that I would have to go through the security line to find out. So, thinking that there were TV monitors that told me where to go (since I have never been to the airport before), I went trough the above mentioned security fiasco. Once I got to the other side, there were no monitors. I asked someone where they are, and their response was that "all monitors are located on the other side."

Great.

Then I was told to ask the cop. (What would he know, but ok) So I asked the officer, who was enjoying his doughnut and coffee, and shrugged his shoulders. He at least told me that all Southwest flights were down the hall. The most direction I had gotten this entire time. I bet he was a traffic cop before securing our nations air transportation system.

At the end of the terminal, I did find all the Southwest flights, but no gates were marked with flight numbers. They were in the process of doing that. So, I found someone at a desk to ask, who was agitated that I interrupted their story about how "Alicia caused all this drama" on Saturday. Turns out, she didn't know either, but that was her flight (oh. . .goody. . .) so it should be around here somewhere. I rolled my eyes and went to plan "B" -- asking the passengers.

I found a group that was on my flight, and thought that the line we were in was correct. Consequentially, some were in the wrong line, but it all turned out ok.

And, of course, my flight was overbooked, I wasn't quick enough to get to get bumped and received credit, so I got on my way early morning flight to St. Louis. This is where I experienced an air-line first.

The flight was going pretty normal, there was a bunch of turbulence all day, but otherwise, totally fine, until the beverage service. The flight was only about an hour, but while serving drinks, the stewardess went back to get the person next to me some water -- that's when you heard this scream.

Never a good sign when the stewardess screams. Especially when it's followed by "OH MY GOD!," another stewardess running down the isle calling for the head steward, and a passenger going "Is there a doctor or a nurse?!?"

Fortunately, I did not end up wearing my water when it was practically thrown at me -- the guy next to me wasn't as lucky.

Well, amid a bunch of chaos, there were a ton of announcements telling us that we have a medical emergency on board (DUH), to stay clam, stay in our seats, etc etc. The best was when they told us that we needed to keep as quite as possible since they were trying to talk to a hospital on the ground that we may have to prepare for an emergency landing.

Interesting. .. .

Well, about 30 minutes later (I did say this was short flight right?), they announced that we would not be making an emergency landing and that we would be given clearance to land right of way in St. Louis. We were also told that the paramedics and emergency services were waiting for us, so when we stopped to stay in our seats and wait for instructions from the emergency crews once they are on board the plane.

I wish I had a picture of this, but when we landed, there were 3 ambulances, 3 firetrucks, some cops, and a ton of those yellow NTSB emergency trucks all over the tar mack near our gate -- full lights blaring. At least, it was obvious that our gate was going to be E14 in St. Louis. It totally looked like a disaster movie.

Well, once the paramedics got on (BOTH of them) they escorted one guy off. Not carried or helped -- just escorted. About 15 minutes later, we were told that we could deplane. Apparently, what all the commotion was about was that the one guy passed out and had a seizer when he was leaving the bathroom. He landed on a stewardess and was unconscience for most of the time. He seemed fine when he left the plane, so who knows. It did make for an interesting flight thought.

Oh, and did I mention the turbulence? And the 45 year old woman sitting right next to me who was freaking out the whole time? Ummm, yeah.. . .be sure to add those factors in.

Anyway, after a hella long lay over (2 hours -- but St. Louis airport SUCKS!!) I was back on a plane to Dallas via Little Rock. At least I got to check out this really cute doctor the entire time, but that didn't make up for leaving 30 minutes late.

The trip to Little Rock was relatively uneventful -- except I did get to see another stewardess fall in the isle due to the bumpiness. No one was hurt though, and it was all I could do to not laugh.

All in all, getting back to Dallas about an hour late isn't too bad. At least they didn't lose my luggage (yes, I know I carried on, but I wouldn't put it past them. . .).