The Pluses of a "Companion Pass"

I knew when I found the parking space right next to the cross walk into the door immediately in front of the UAL ticket counter, this could be agreat trip.

As I headed to the ticket counter in Springfield, and was immediately handed my boarding pass. "Plane is wide open....you have a seat already!" I was told by the perky Customer Service Agent.

I spent the short ride between SPI and ORD reviewing some work documents.

I arrive at O'Hare, bags in tow and had a little over an hour to find Scott's gate. It was a good walk, but not bad. I grabbed a muffin, found a quieter seat near the gate, texted where I was, and settled in for some more work. As I completed a call, his flight unloads, and I am greated by my hansome pilot with a kiss.

We stroll to our gate. He talks to the CSR there, and hands me my first class boarding pass. The head flight attendent, the pursor she is apparently called, asks my preference in wine, makes some small talk, and makes me feel like the queen of England.

On board I am in my comfy seat, and hear Scott's voice over the PA. Kind of a weird in a good way feeling. As we get on our way, Ms. Penny starts bringing the wine - in a REAL white wine glass, and never lets it hit half full. She also delivered a wrapped second bottle for us to take along to the hotel. I pull out my laptop, plug in the comp headphones, and do some more graphic design work. My only interruption being to occasionally notice Penny refilling the semi-dry wine.

When you are traveling with the pilot, and you are in first class, it does not matter that you are the first ones off, cuz you still need to wait. But it is worth it. The crew departs on the van that is sitting there waiting for us, Ms. Penny distributes room keys in the van (where did they come from???) and 10 minutes later we are at our hotel and can head straight for the elevator.

We enjoyed a nice casual late dinner, Scott finally got a drink, and we later drifted off in our large, comfy king bed - our first childless evening together when one or both of us did not need to be up and gone before 6 AM.

Whether Rochester or San Fran, Cabo or Newark, I imagine THIS evening would not have been much different. Sometimes it is nice to be the queen for a day!