I was flying home today from a CyberProfessionals conference in Pittsburgh, PA and changed planes in the Wonderful Windy city of Chicago. Now, if you’ve ever flown Southwest Airlinesin and out of Chicago, then you know that Midway airport is a very busy place. Watching out the window as your plane maneuvers the short runway surrounded by industrial, retail and residential properties you would swear that it is impossible to land so quickly. Throw the wind factor in and I liken it to a ride at an amusement park.
Southwest has their act together! I read last fall where they were revamping their airport waiting areas and Midway was the first location that I’ve been to that has the new configuration. WOW! Southwest has always had a “family feeling” but now your waiting experience is a pleasure! There is a “diner-like” bar area with a ROW of electrical outlets just waiting for travelers and their laptop computers… a “family area” with small table configured in a living room arrangement.. BUT my favorite is the comfy cushy chairs with a flat top to set your laptop on and a power outlet plus powered USB plug in… I almost wanted the flight to be delayed so that I could sit in the comfy chair longer! I couldn’t help but be in a happy mood! Just what Southwest wants! Happy flyers!
Which brings me to the real story. I was not the only happy flyer on my flight from Chicago to Omaha. I had boarded the airplane and found the perfect seat. Window over the wing.. not sure why I like that seat, but I do. Too close to the front and you are GUARANTEED to have three people in your group.. too far in the back and it takes forever to get off the plane at your destination.. plus if you’ve ever played “crack the whip” as a kid, it’s a bumpier flight back at the tail…
It was a fairly full flight and I had just sat down and gotten my seatbelt buckled when two ladies looking for a spot chose my row. I fly three or four times a year and I’m a pretty easy going traveler.. today I had just gotten up from my comfy chair in the terminal. I was a happy camper! As my two new friends sat down I couldn’t help but notice that they were a little “extra” happy… ok.. they were GIDDY… A LOT GIDDY! I started the initial round of chit chat… “where are you flying to, from, etc…” I quickly was told that they had been to see “OPRAH“… They literally almost sang “OPRAH’s” name. The lady that sat next to me told me very proudly that the show that they went to was “THE GIVEAWAY SHOW”!!!!!!!
Now, I tried and tried to grill her for what she got but they have to sign an agreement that they won’t tell a soul WHAT they got before the show airs… Oprah, if you’re reading this, you can be assured that for the One Hour and Ten Minute flight I tried everything in my power to get them to break! They didn’t even tell me their names! All I got out them was that they were from Sioux Falls, one worked for UPS and the other was in Insurance.
They described how they were able to procure tickets at the last minute to the show. They talked about the process of going through security at Oprah’s studio and the amount of time it took to be seated. You don’t know what show Oprah is going to choose for her giveaway show for obvious reasons… I remember the year that everyone received a car! How fun was that!!! My friends continued “Oprah This” and “Oprah That”…
I re-phrased my question two or three times about what they won… to no avail… I finally gave up. They did mention that there were two people that did not show up for the taping.. How would you like to have been those two to miss the GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY show!
As the plane landed, my giddy girls were busting at the seams to continue telling anyone and everyone that they were on the Oprah giveaway show… the people behind us of course heard our conversation… they told the flight attendants on their way out of the airplane… security guards… anyone and everyone! THEY MUST HAVE GOTTEN SOME GREAT STUFF!
As we parted ways, I congratulated them once again… all I asked them to do was to send me a photo of them with their winnings when the show does air.. May 21st is the tentative date… Set your VCR’s if you can’t watch in person!
