Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Plane Ride


I'm back! We (me and the kids) went to Utah on Thursday (July 22nd) and we are back in NC. I decided to bring the kids out to Utah/Idaho...a decision that was hard to make for the sole reason that I would have to fly with both kids by myself. I was not worried about Audrey at all, but Phoenix...I was terrified. We had to legs to the trip, Raleigh to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Salt Lake City. The first plane ride was perfect, for the first time in like 4 years there were a few extra seats on the plane, so a flight attendant gave us our own row (Awesome!!). Then the flight from Atlanta...it started off badly with an announcement that the flight was full (I HATE HATE HATE 100% full flights...especially when you add children into the mix). Me and the kids got situated in our seats and there were only a few minutes left till departure. The seat next to me was empty (I always hope that whoever is supposed to be sitting next to me will miss their flight) and just as I started getting really hopeful that it would remain that way a mother and her teenage son walked onto the plane. When they realized that one of them would have to sit next to me the mother said "Oh my gosh!" in a way that said "kill me now". They proceeded to argue over who would have to sit next to me (I heard everything because they were right next to me) and apparently the teenage son lost, because he sat down. He warned his mother that if she got up to go to the bathroom that he was going to take her seat (they were both in the aisle seats next to each other). The plane took off and Phoenix started crying....and didn't stop. I tried everything, formula, gerber puffs, fruit snacks, wrapping him up in a blanket and rocking him, singing softly to him...nothing was working. A nice flight attendant walked by and the mother of the teenage son asked him (the flight attendant) if there was anything he could do to shut the baby up. The flight attendant got really mad at the lady and told her not to tell him how to do his job, and he informed her that she was riding on public transportation. He also told her in a condescending way that we were all babies once. Then he asked me if he could get me anything. I asked for some juice to put in Phoenix's bottle. That actually worked...for about 2 minutes. Then the crying started again. By this point I was totally turned away from the mother and her teenage son, and I was wiping back tears and trying to think of happy things...such as the plane ride being over. Audrey was trying to be so helpful and if she hadn't been with me I think I would have lost it. Seriously...who is that rude? The flight attendant came back and offered to hold Phoenix. It didn't go over very well with Phoenix. Then the flight attendant told me I could go in the back and hang out there for a while. Once we got to the back the flight attendant (sorry, I never found out his name) said that he couldn't believe that lady. Then I started to cry. He gave me a hug and told me that he couldn't have two crying people to worry about (Phoenix was still screaming). Then he left us alone and Phoenix fell asleep in about 5 minutes. Audrey had a blast playing around. I stayed in the back (where the flight attendants sit for take off and landing) until they had to bring the carts back. Of course as soon as I went back to my seat Phoenix woke up, but at least he had a little nap so he was ok. Although he did touch the teenage boys hair and the teenager acted as if Phoenix had burned a hole through his head. Then Phoenix pooped. And I didn't change his diaper...intentionally. (I know, I am so bad). The flight ended and as I was walking out another flight attendant came up to me and said "we're cool". Lol.
When I got to baggage claim I saw that lady and her son. I walked up behind her and gave her a little shove with the stroller. She fell onto the baggage belt and her long hair got stuck. It was awesome. The airport people had to come and cut her hair off. Sweet, sweet revenge.
Ok, the baggage claim part didn't really happen, but I wished it had. I am too nice to do something like that though.
More to come on my trip later, but here is a little teaser. One of Phoenix's nicknames is "lil fella". On this trip a fussy was inserted to make it "Lil fussy fella".

7 comments:

Wii are the Nelsons said...

Oh Rachel that's awful! I would have cried too! If you ever try to fly with kids by yourself, try bringing tootsie rolls and suckers. Those helped James and my ears on the plane, plus it was yummy. What a nice flight attendant at least!

Unknown said...

Rachel I think that you are a true trooper. I would have said something ugly and made things worse, so way to go for not doing that!Plus you had the flight attendants on your side:}. So shame on those looses acting like that.

Emily Bartlett said...

Oh man I was dying and then you told me that the shove and haircut was FAKE and that made me sad. I'm all about some Rachel Revenge.

I'd like to see how that teenager was when he was a baby and if the mom was so rude to him!

And you can join my "I hate RDU for canceling the non-stop to Salt Lake" campaign...

Tatum said...

You poor thing! I cannot believe how rude people are. i really hoped that the last part was real. Oh she deserves to have all her hair ripped out!!!

I took Peyton and Chloe to Hawaii by myself. Peyton was perfect. Chloe pooped, and barfed all over me (my face to be exact) and then she screamed the whole time. 6 straight hours. I wanted to melt into my seat and die. If someone was rude to me I would of been so mean and nasty back.

Deb said...

I love reading about your adventures! Although I didn't envy you on the Atlanta/SLC leg of your trip. I thought Travis was going out? Now what happened on the way home?
You guys have to come up here and visit. We have PLENTY of room! We'll be down there Labor Day. Talk to you guys soon!

Gail said...

People can just be so awful! I am so glad that you did come out early so that I could see you and your sweet darling children!! I am so glad you had the flight attendant help you through that! Your a GREAT mom!! Love you!

Unknown said...

Oh that is awful! I can't believe someone would do that!! I hope you had a nice trip in Utah!!!