Yeah, it happened that I missed my flight from LA to Indy. I arrived 8hrs late, don’t ask why ;). Anyway, they explained me that I would have to purchase a new ticket *argh* – I thought that I would never ever fly with Northwest. I discussed for 45 minutes with the clerk and she was pretty much under pressure (the queue behind me got longer and longer and people started complaining). Finally, she gave me a place on the waiting list to a flight to Detroit for free. And I made it into the airplane (again, don’t ask how :)). I had only a half seat (there was an incredibly fat (later sweaty and even later smelly) guy next to me that occupied the other half of my seat. It was probably the worst flight I ever had (4.5 hrs on that “half” seat with *full* body contact), but I was very happy to be in that plane! The plane arrived late (a connection flight to Indy was already waiting), and I did the same thing there. I discussed with them until they assigned me tha last free seat for free (hey, what’s the point to fly with a free seat if you could make a potential customer happy :)). But yeah, I forgot about my luggage … it was only checked to Detroit (I realized that later *g*). Again, discussions at the baggage reclaim office :). They did at least agree to transfer it to Indy that I could pick it up the next day (there was no way to convince them to send it home to me for free :)). But I got a car and gas is nearly for free here … so I picked it up. Generally, it was a very interesting experience, how you can fly for free if you are determined enough (I did not make it into the direct flight from LA to Indy, the guy at the desk (Larry) was very very well trained and impressed me a lot, but I had a nice conversation with him, and the next flight worked out).
And I did still have some time to celebrate my birthday.