[ken5050]

I was stationed in Spain from 68-72. December 1970, at the last minute, I manage a few extra days leave, and decide to try and get home for the holidays....and as cheaply as possible. Somehow, though the exact details are lost forever in my mind, I get a ticket..for about $75.. on an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to NYC. So I get my ass up to Shannon, and find out it's a charter..and it's a 747..and ..wait for it...it's configured ALL in economy...I'd swear there were 600 passengers..I think they even put seat belts on the toilets and sold tix for the lavatories.. It was full of Irish-Americans returning home after several weeks visiting the "auld sod."

It's amazing the plane didn't blow up mid air...everyone was totally lit before they boarded, and since back then, you could smoke on planers..I figured there was enough alcohol in the cabin air to explode. And everyone had brought with them several bottles, all of which were consumed over the Atlantic..

Best flight..the most fun I ever had on an airplane..even to this day..45 years later....especially the several hundred times everyone sang "Danny Boy"

[PLMerite]

Back in the ‘80s I got on a puddle-jumper flight (18-seater) from Leeds-Bradford to London. Only about six passengers, one of whom boarded with a six-pack of Carling Black Label beer as carry-on. The guy was already half-lit and he offered to share.