A proud moment in FOF history (well, mine anyway)

[noflyingfan]

Today, I received an e-mail from Southwest Airlines informing me that I have officially earned enough credits to get a Rapid Rewards award good for one round-trip. :hyped: (Plus drink coupons :cheers:).

Six years ago, I vowed to myself that I would not set foot on another airplane, because I was too afraid. Three years later, I decided to try working on the fear, and three years after that, here I am, with enough flights under my belt to be considered a frequent flyer. :eek:

Truthfully, six of the 16 credits I had to earn were freebies (two from signing up for the program and four as a surprise bonus when the White Sox won the World Series last year), but I have flown on other airlines and I think I have one trip that didn't count toward this award, so I figure I'm about even. :thumbsup:

I know it might not seem like much to you Platinum status folks who fly all the time, but for someone like me, who doesn't travel for work, and who once said, "I'll never go into the air again," this is quite an accomplishment, tangible evidence that I'm winning the battle.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Great news, Erika! :thumbsup:

[Rebecca]

I am very inspired by this, Erika. It makes me believe (as with others' stories here) that a transformation CAN take place, if we keep flying and keep tearing down the fears we have built up. Thank you.

:tiphat:

[Barb-SAN]

Way to go, Erika! Any thoughts about where that trip will be?

[JPenny]

THREE CHEERS FOR ERIKA!!!!!

:hyped:
:hyped:
:hyped:

We are ALL so PROUD of YOU!!!!

Jean :happyguy:

[noflyingfan]

Thanks, all.

I don't know where I'll end up going. Probably just somewhere dumb like Philly again to see my stupid family. :rolleyes:

But I don't know. I'm tempted just to schedule a random flight somewhere. Like just fly to Hawaii for a day.

[Passenger Mark]

What a cool post! Thanks for sharing.

[EyesSkyward]

But I don't know. I'm tempted just to schedule a random flight somewhere.

That's actually long been a fantasy of mine. Wouldn't it be cool to skip out of work early one Friday, grab a bag of clothes and a toothbrush from home, head to the airport, walk up to the counter and just say "whatdya got?" :cool:

I think you can use a Southwest Rapid Rewards award anytime up to an hour before the plane leaves.

- Jeff

[noflyingfan]

That's actually long been a fantasy of mine. Wouldn't it be cool to skip out of work early one Friday, grab a bag of clothes and a toothbrush from home, head to the airport, walk up to the counter and just say "whatdya got?" :cool:

I think you can use a Southwest Rapid Rewards award anytime up to an hour before the plane leaves.

- Jeff

I don't think I could ever do that. I am a planner. I like everything to be mapped out way beforehand so I know exactly what will happen when. I used to be more spontaneous, but my friends are all planners too, so no matter where I went, I'd probably be alone.

It's tempting though. Very.

[WillFlyToDisney]

I have done that twice - jumped on a plane in an hour's notice - but neither time was for a spontaneous FUN trip - both were for emergencies.

Erika - do something like that NOW before there are kids around to have to plan around. :thumbsup:

[noflyingfan]

I have done that twice - jumped on a plane in an hour's notice - but neither time was for a spontaneous FUN trip - both were for emergencies.

Erika - do something like that NOW before there are kids around to have to plan around. :thumbsup:

I'd rather not have an emergency...unless it's an emergency trip to Funtown for some good times! :thumbsup: (Does Southwest fly to Funtown?)

Kelley, I've already told my sister that she's going to raise my kids for me. She's a lot more patient than I am, and she's enough like me that they'll still be a little quirky like I am. So it's the best of both worlds.

[EyesSkyward]

I like everything to be mapped out way beforehand so I know exactly what will happen when.

That's precisely why you need to do it then. Shake things up a bit, you know?

Carpe Caelum!

- Jeff

[noflyingfan]

That's precisely why you need to do it then. Shake things up a bit, you know?

Carpe Caelum!

- Jeff

Yes, but once I get wherever I go and have nowhere to stay and nothing to do and no money, I'm going to be mad that I wasted my reward. :tongue:

[WillFlyToDisney]

I'd rather not have an emergency...unless it's an emergency trip to Funtown for some good times! :thumbsup: (Does Southwest fly to Funtown?)

Kelley, I've already told my sister that she's going to raise my kids for me. She's a lot more patient than I am, and she's enough like me that they'll still be a little quirky like I am. So it's the best of both worlds.

Well on the positive side your adrenaline is rushing so much that you usually forget to be afraid when it is an emergency situation.

I think Funtown is code for Vegas, or Orlando, or Raleigh-Durham... You can make ANY town Funtown with the right attitude and enough bail money.

I tell my sister all the time that I somehow gave birth to her child. My oldest daughter is THE creative one in the family (I don't have an ounce of creativity) and plays musical instruments and does artsy stuff and writes stories - this is just what Tamara was like as a kid!

[StPeteMark]

...You know... the way to use Southwest Rapid Rewards tickets is to earn them on short, cheap flights and spend them on long, expensive flights. ...Sean, why is this so...do they count trips and not miles?

BYW, I just earned my first FREE round trip, too! Got the email this morning. Have a year to use. Susan is right behind me since I had a two additional short business trips.

Thanks,
Mark
.

[StPeteMark]

Exactly. On Southwest, eight round-trips gets you one free round-trip. I earn a lot of flight credits on short hops, like FLL-TPA or ABQ-PHX, which are $49 tickets, then I use them on long trips, like FLL-SEA, which is usually at least $200. I have flown to Orlando for $39 to get the credit, and with the price of gas and free transfers to Disney resorts, it's cheaper than driving the 180 miles.Thanks, I've got my eye on a long flight, too.
.

[noflyingfan]

I got my drink coupons in the mail yesterday. It made me giddy, it really did.

And since I'm flying to Detroit next month (which is only $39 from Chicago, so I'm not going to waste my free ticket on that), I am already going to be 1/8 of the way to my next reward! :happyguy: