I've always been a bit of a travel fiend, and my frequent travels coupled with my friendly nature have made for some very interesting encounters over the years!
Case in point:
A few years ago, my friends and I flew out to San Francisco for Labor Day weekend. We tried coordinating our airline reservations so that we would all have at least one friend sitting next to us on the flights, as they were 5 and 6 hour flights. On the way there, we were all in two rows and were happy as clams.
We had a fantastic trip and headed to the airport to fly back to Miami...and that's when we realized that we weren't all sitting together as we thought we were. While our seats looked like they were next to each other, this plane had the rows alternating, so that we were divided.
I happened to be sitting ALL ALONE in a row of 5 people while the rest of my friends were at least near each other.
That's where my friendly personality came in handy...while we were hanging out at the airport getting ready to board our flight, a young guy was asking me a ton of questions about Miami. It was his first time going to Miami and he had heard me talking to my friends about going home, so he had a million questions for me! All of my friends were laughing and teasing me for being nice and helping him plan some activities, but I ignored them.
That's what travelers do; we help other travelers!
After we boarded the plane and realized what happened with our seating arrangement, and I realized that I was going to be alone, I was not a happy camper. To add insult to injury, the movie wasn't functioning on this flight so we had no in-flight entertainment.
SAY WHAT!?! Now, this was back in 2007, before I had an iPhone or iPad...I hadn't even brought a book because I thought I'd be chatting with my friends for the entire flight home.
And then I realized who was sitting next to my friend across the way: the guy that chatted me up in the terminal.
I asked him if he minded trading seats with me, and he was happy to help me out!
You see, you never really know who you are going to meet in an airport...and sometimes the experience of meeting new people can be the highlight of your trip!
I love hearing stories about people meeting while they are in the airport, I always find them interesting! That is why I was especially excited to watch this Sears #ConnectingFlights video!
Can you imagine meeting a stranger in an airport and falling in love? After watching this hilarious video by Sears, you just might!
Warning: watch out for that fridge!
Alright, my fellow travelers, I know you have some stories for me, spill the beans!
What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you in an airport?
This is a sponsored post, I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.
Beeb Ashcroft
Oh man, just one crazy thing? LOL. I've met plenty of people in airports, like you, but probably the most memorable experience in an airport was when my flight from NY to Paris got VERY delayed because the co-pilot showed up late to work. I had to catch a connecting flight from Paris to England, and I was sure I was going to miss it. I was RUNNING through the airport in faux fur coat with a big suitcase, sweating and asking questions in broken French, wondering how the heck I was going to get put on a new flight when I didn't speak the language. As luck would have it, my CONNECTING flight was late too so when I finally made it to the terminal, I actually ended up waiting 15-20 minutes before I could leave - which was fine by me, LOL! As I was waiting, another guy came running into the terminal in a panic, and when I saw his relief I just smiled as if to say, "I understand, bro!" LOL!
Ashley - Embracing Beauty
That's awesome! I hate flight delays. Once I spent 24 hours in Ohare waiting for the next flight because the first one was delayed.
Jenn, I always talk to strangers too. I just can't help it! 🙂
Liz
I'm laughing because if I know it's another blogger, I'll chat but otherwise I don't say a word to anybody! LOL You're so cute with your chatty ways.
Tesa
Glad it all worked out for you. This movie looks so cute, I just saw a commercial for it today and can't wait to see it.
Mellisa
I really want to see this movie. I always talk to people in the airport, it's fun. I don't really have any crazy stories though.
JulieK
it always pays to be nice and friendly! That is a cool story!
Toni
I am pretty chatty if the person seems nice when I fly too 🙂
Brett
My husband says I talk to anyone who doesn't stop me from talking 🙂
deb
Surprisingly, I've never had any crazy airport experiences. Shocked, right? Most of my airport experiences just border on annoying (lost luggage, missed connections, etc)
Peggy
Great story! I normally don't just chat with a stranger unless they start talking to me...too shy!
shelly
Interesting story. I'm not much of a traveler, but when I do, I don't really talk to people. I'm too distrusting.
mel
I am a scary flyer. I am the person who constantly thinks something is going to happen!!!
Kristin Wheeler (MamaLuvsBooks)
I ran through the Chicago airport 8-months pregnant and with my two-year in a stroller and got to the gate right when they shut the door. I banged on the door until they let me in to board. Surprised I wasn't arrested!
Natalie Z
Me too! I always manage to meet the most interesting people 🙂
KIM
I talk with strangers too. Some of my conversation are the best I've had. After to talking to a small child all day, it's great to be able to talk to ANYONE!!
Shannon Stubbs
I am really social too, but the last time we flew, I wasn't sitting with my aunt and cousin and sister, and had my daughter with who at the time was just barely 1. Luckily, some people were kind enough to switch seats with me because the little one needed room to move!
Melissa S.O.S. Mom
I saw this video on someone else's blog and I thought it was really fun to watch! I rarely speak to travellers, mostly because I travel accompanied and don't feel the need. But this summer we has our first plane ride with our son and that kind of forced us to interact with other travellers because he was ALL OVER THE PLACE! lol
Amy Gramelspacher
Looks like a cute movie!I can’t wait to see it.
Shaz
It didn't happen to me, but a couple of years ago my husband's friend met Brad Pitt in Glasgow airport. He was here shooting a film and had been up in the highlands on his motorbike, taking time out and getting some peace and quiet. He flew back to wherever he was going from Glasgow and had a quiet and private place to sit away from the rest of the departure lounge. I think my husband's friend had been ill or something and that's why he was there too. They chatted and Mr Pitt was apparently very nice and polite and talked about how he had loved being alone on his bike in the highlands.
Why do I never meet movie stars? The most bizarre thing to happen to me at an airport involved a ventriloquist's dummy and vegan food. Not as good a story as the Brad Pitt one sadly.