Two months ago my roommate and I received an invitation to an out-of-town wedding to be held on Sept. 13 with a rehearsal dinner on the Friday evening before. Without paying attention to the significance of the date, we ordered the airline tickets for the Thursday before that — Sept. 11.
So there we were, flying to our destination on 9-11. We arrived at the airport and couldn’t help but notice the many police vehicles and Swat team trucks. It took a few extra minutes to enter the terminal (By the way, why do they call it a terminal? That’s a terrible word to use when traveling by air).
Inside the building, there were armed members of the Swat team moving in and around, plainclothes officers peering over opened newspapers talking into something which was covered by those papers, and uniformed K-9 cops strolling with man’s best friend.
A beautiful Labrador retriever moved around sniffing the many carry-ons in the area. I told Carol that if the Lab stopped to pee we’re okay.We only have to worry if she remained close to smell our belongings. She might want the chicken sandwiches we brought to nibble during the flight. In spite of the date and the many fears we felt safe.
We were flying on Southwest Airlines, and even though they don’t charge for checking luggage, there were so many passengers that prefer bringing oversized carry-ons aboard the aircraft. Explain that to me.
For as long as I can remember the name of the in-flight magazine on Southwest was “Spirit.” Last month it was renamed “Southwest, The Magazine.” My explanation for this change is that there were many fliers who opened the magazine and thought they were on the wrong airline.
On this flight there were 11 wheelchairs lined up bringing eleven passengers aboard. When we reached our destination, only two were necessary to assist the two arriving passengers who still needed them. During this marvelous flight, nine of the eleven were miraculously cured. Do you remember when there was an airline that flew “the Friendly Skies?” I believe that Southwest Air should now be known as the “Lourdes of the Skies.”
This reminded me of the many passengers on a cruise ship who get around on motorized scooters and wheel chairs. As soon as they get to the buffet, they’re cured. They jump off and load up on the many choices of food. Royal Caribbean is now the “Lourdes of the Seas.”
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And back to the wedding. A wonderful rehearsal dinner, a sensational morning after buffet brunch, a reception with a 12-piece orchestra and a beautiful ceremony even though nobody cried. I once attended a wedding at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens when almost everyone cried real tears. Sure, the room was filled with plants and flowers and half the guests had allergies. I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net asking, why is it necessary for wedding bands to play so loud?
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Carol and I wish all of our Jewish readers and friends a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
