The Christmas travel has begun and as usual—there are always stories and interesting things that happen along the way!!!

Last night on our leg from Minneapolis Saint Paul to Dayton we encountered something that I have never had happen before.

Finally got a plane, unbeknowst to the gate attendant who had just made an announcement saying that the plane was not here and that his little screen showed an arrow pointing up meaning it was still in the air….but WE saw it taxi in….But I digress!!!  Boarded and sat.  And sat.  And sat.  And sat some more.  Flight attendant comes back and counts.  Counts again.  Counts a third time.  Pilot comes out.  Counts.  Flight attendant counts again.  Discussion in the galley.   More discussion.  More sitting.  Co pilot, pilot and flight attendant all discussing something.  Pilot leaves plane.  Flight attendant counts again.

Pilot gets on intercom and explains that the count is wrong.  The check in sheet and the body count don’t jive.  Gotta have them jiving or there is no flying!!!   So finally the flight attendant starts reading down names and calling our names out—-raise your hands if you are here!!!   I thought it would be better to raise your hand if you weren’t there but I guess that wasn’t the way they wanted to go .   Chilies? (like the pepper and the country>…) Two?  Yes–hands waving.   Finally we were told we were all there….I could have told them that!  But I guess in the interest of safety it is good to not have any stowaways or turn someone away who is supposed to be on the flight.

I did feel like I was in school or something with the teacher taking attendance but bottom line—we made it—over an hour late but we made it and now the vacation can begin!!!  Merry Christmas, y’all!