Let’s see, traveling with children:

Snacks – check
Books – check
Sugar – check
Presents – check
Blanket – check
Movies – check

That pretty much fills up my bag. I should probably pack something for the kids.

Just kidding. About the sugar. I’m off sugar these days.

The children and I flew to Michigan on Tuesday night. Tim is home (working from home most of the time). We took a red-eye flight which, in my opinion, is great. The kids are excited about going on a trip, which keeps them in a good mood until the plane gets started. At that point the Dramadine (or Benadryl, take your pick of over-the-counter meds) kicks in and they sleep for the rest of the flight. Perfect. It’s a little difficult for any grown up in the bunch (who can’t, in good conscience, take sleep-inducing medicine while flying with five children on an airplane) and who can’t scrunch down across the seat and fall into a deep sleep.

This trip we used up every spare frequent-flier and credit card mile we had (and most of my parent’s as well). One of the tickets was in first class. I chortled with glee when the travel agent told me it was available for the same about of frequent-flier miles. “Oh yeah,” I said to myself, “a red-eye flight in first class. I can definitely handle that.” I booked the ticket and went on to figure out the rest of the flight arrangements. It wasn’t until a couple of days later, when I was bragging about my great deal, that my mom asked me if Tim was flying with us. “No,” I said. “Well,” she answered, pausing, “who is going to get that first-class seat?” “Um, that would be me!” (Doing a little happy dance over the phone.) Another pause and she gently dropped the bomb:

“Who will sit with the children?”

Back to reality in row 33.

Oh NO!!!!! I reserved a first class seat, at no extra expense, and wasn’t going to be able to enjoy it. NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Great sadness. Just like I can’t really take some Valium (I mean Benadryl) before the flight, I guess I can’t really sit up in first class while my five children (one being a four year old) sit 31 rows behind me.

When I checked in at the counter, I didn’t pay any attention to the seat assignments. It was enough of a challenge to figure out how many bags we were checking, how many children were flying (okay that one wasn’t too difficult), and not lose any of the carry-on bags (or the children). Luckily we were all wearing matching shirts. Yep, that helps. Or at least it makes for some cute pictures.

It wasn’t until we we said goodbye to Tim, navigated security (with two laptops), found our way to the gate, made several trips to the bathroom, handed out goodies, and bought me a salad that I had a chance to look at the boarding passes. It turns out there were TWO seats in first class!!! I don’t have any idea how THAT happened. Of course, Rachel immediately began to beg, cry and plead for the second seat. Tim (consulted via cell-phone) suggested I have Rachel and Daniel take the first class spots and then I could switch with one of them half way through the flight. Daniel was oblivious to the whole thing and didn’t seem to recognize the elite status and glory awarded to the first-class traveler, so I wasn’t sure what to do.

We boarded early as befit our new-found prestige and status. I can’t imagine how many frequent-flier miles you would need to fly a whole family in first class. The person checking tickets laughed and laughed at my dilemma (big help, thanks) and advised me to take Sarah up front with me and leave the rest in the back. Now that’s an idea I hadn’t considered. Hmmmm. Ultimately, I realized Sarah wouldn’t remember this trip, but Rachel and Joshua will, and what a fun opportunity to say, “I flew first class when I was 11.”

The trip went well. I didn’t get any pictures of Joshua and Rachel schmooozing it up in first class, no doubt exchanging business cards and investment tips with the other travelers and helping themselves to drinks (on the house). My plan to low-crawl up the aisle and switch with one of them half way through the flight was never realized. Thirty-one rows is a long distance and the flight attendant didn’t seem to thrilled with the idea:

“We prefer our passengers choose a cabin and stay there throughout the flight.” Small plastic smile.

“Really,” I thought to myself. “Well, then I’d like to choose first class from now on and stay there!”

No doubt my face reflected a little of my thoughts on the subject as she quickly said, “But we do our best to accommodate the situation. Don’t you trust them up here?”

“Hello? No, I just want to sleep in first class rather than back with the other peasants,” I said.

Sarah woke up in the middle of the flight and needed to use the bathroom. She was awake the rest of the time, whispering to me every time I started to doze off.

I guess I was destined for row 33.

Thankfully we are now safe and sound in Michigan and beginning a wonderful visit with my parents.

Blogging from MI
Kathy

Project 365 – Day 164

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