When flying standby I am pretty used to being told “you’re not getting on this flight.” But once I’m seated in my seat I normally breath a sign of relief and think “all smooth sailing from here.” As I’ve sometimes noticed, but more recently truly learned, that is not always true. My dad always says “you’re not set until the door closes” and I have learned even that isn’t true.
One time when I was headed on a whim two day trip to Sydney Australia (yes that’s right two days, well technically five- three days traveling two days in Sydney) I boarded my flight out of lovely Flint, Michigan (I hope you can detect my sarcasm) headed to Detroit. The doors close, we push back and I just close my eyes and start to get giddy with excitement to go to one of my favorite countries. Then over the loud speaker they announce “We have an over weight situation and one passenger is putting the plane over weight; Kelsey Colt will you please gather your things and we will remove you as quickly as possible so we have an ontime departure.” Now there is nothing like the FAA telling you that you are solely responsible for putting the 50,000 pound plane over weight to make you think twice about that double cheeseburger you had the night before. Oh and to put the cherry on top of the cake that I apparently shouldn’t eat, my physics teacher from high school was on the plane. I can only imagine he was thinking that I must’ve gained the freshman 15 in college.
Clearly I’m not over this yet!
This is a picture of me eating the famous New Zealand Fergbuger! If you ever make it to the south island of New Zealand plan to eat at least three or four of your meals there!