My favorite war story...I flew home between Basic and AIT from Columbia, SC, we changed planes in Atlanta. I and another soldier were flying Military Stand-By. Our flight to O’Hare had only one opening for stand-by, and he and I were on the list. An Infantry LTC walked up to the counter to register for stand-by. When he was told there was only one opening, he demanded to have it. He was told he was third on the list, behind us.
He looked at us, sneered and demanded to be moved to the front due to his exaulted rank. He was politely told that rank did not apply. He then pulled out his wallet and bought a full-fare ticket, sneered at us and proudly stalked to a seat.
We must have looked disappointed, as the gate agent grabbed our hands, and asked us to stand-by. We sat there, while the flight was called. First class was filled and then coach. Our Grunt Buddy walked past, sneering at us, again. Then, after all were called, my buddy and I were called up to the gate agent, and she handed us each a pass...in First Class! She smiled and winked at us and told us to have a nice flight.
When we were seated in the first class cabin, the Infantry LTC came storming up and ordered me out of my seat! The flight attendant told him to return to his seat. He demanded my seat! She told him that if he didn’t return to his seat, she would have him forcibly removed from the flight. She told him that he had a full-fare ticket...in coach.
It was a really nice flight.
what a great story. And it didn’t even
start with, ‘now, this ain’t no shit.”
;)