SWA FART

I flew for the first time this week, since my return from Mexico after my surgery. Having "acquired" my own belt extender from several airlines over the years, it felt great not needing it this time on Southwest. In fact, I had several comfortable inches of belt to spare. It felt even better when I left it in the seat back on my way out! JP

Its not stealing if you plan to return it years later.  Way to go JP.  Bet that felt good. 

JP That is great news.  I don't fly that often but I do request the extender as I board and the crew is standing there greeting people.  It is embarrassing, but I want to make sure i get one asap so my paranoia of them running out of belts before I get mine is relaxed.  Imagine the embarrassment if they had to hold the plane while looking for additionalextenders!Yeah maybe I am nuts about it but I am pre-op.  I will feel better when I am a loser.

Dr. J, I hear you. That is why I "acquired" some private stock belt extenders. I use to fly up to 15 legs a month. This was my first flight since surgery, and I am sure I will be flying a lot more soon. Here's to you no longer needing one either, in the not too distant future! JP

JP,  Requesting a seatbelt extender is very embarrassing as we all know. On my last flight I requested an exit isle seat thinking it would help my knees by giving me more leg room, since I have arthritis in both of them, and the stewardess wouldn't let me sit there bceause I needed an extender and you were'nt allowed to sit there with an extender.  I couldn't see why not, what's the difference? Talk about embarrassed, now not only did I need an extender but I had to change my seat. My next flight is comming up on 2/22 I'm now 2 1/2 months post-op and it would be great if I didn't need the extender. here's hoping!!! 

Dan, That had to suck. Let's hope you are done with them forever, too! JP

Hi JP> told you bud, what a great FART on SWA. Congrats. How was your trip?

Fast trip, in and out in less than 24 hours. Stayed by the airport instead of Franklin, because some friends were in town for a convention at the Gaylord. Hung out with them, drank three glasses of wine, which hit me hard as I hardly drink at all anymore. It was talent night, and I sat in with the house band for a set. Played piano for some 12 bar blues fun and sang "Neon Moon" and "Tonight, the Bottle Let Me Down". My friends were blown away, none of them knew I played or could sing. (Barely anyway) The meeting was off Mallory Station in Franklin, I think that is near you. It was an executive committee meeting for my trade association. I really like the others in the group, and it did not start until 10am, so it made a 5 hour meeting manageable. Even with all the snow in other parts of the midwest, I made my 4:30 flight and was home by 8PM. So, it was a great trip. Ditching the belt extender was the best part! JP

Hi JP, yeah Mallory Station is about 5 miles from me.  Perhaps next time you are here we can get together.  I would suspect that the belt-extender ditching was definitely the best part.   Congrats once again. Always great to keep surprising friends.

Great news, JP!

I remember flying with size 44 waist. It was a lot harder to get to seats, and to get up and let people in or out. The tray alway**** my stomach and I never felt comfortable or totally relaxed in the seat. Now, all of that has passed. I catch myself dozing and feeling pretty comfortable just sitting there (a good thing, when you have to fly up to 14 hours in a stretch).

Dave