1. Thirty years ago yesterday, I took my first airplane ride.  I flew from RDU to DCA aboard an Eastern Air Lines DC-9 to visit my aunt and uncle.  Who knew I’d wind up living here? And who knew Eastern would now be out of business?  Five years and one month after that first airplane ride, I took my first flying lesson.  I was 15 years old.
  2. Seriously people, what else can an airline charge extra for?
  3. Sometimes I get bored with the airline mileage game, then I have to fly somewhere on an airline where I have no status.  Suddenly, I remember why I play the airline mileage game.