Sweet Yet Sour

The Best Airport Visit Ever!

Monday, August 31st, 2009 | The Daily Special | 3 Comments

On August 21st, I (and part of my family) experienced the best airport visit ever.  I know it’s a little late to blog about it, but now that I have a cold I can finally excuse myself from sitting on my butt and blogging while there is laundry to be done.

There is a small airport about 15 miles away from where I live that caters to small corporate jets and well-to-doers.  The airport has a restaurant that looks out on the runways that offers those of us not in that income grade a view of the high life.  It’s a great place to take kids, as long as you take your own booster seat for kids Anna’s size, since they don’t provide high chairs.

On the 21st I thought it would be nice if Anna, my sister Rhiannon, my nephew Brendan, and I all trooped out to the airport for a mid-morning snack and some plane viewing.

When we were seated, having learned from watching Anna wrench her neck the last time we were at the airport, I turned her to face the runway:

Just after we ordered our French fries and fruit plate, a pair of pilots sat down at the table behind where we were seated.  One of the pilots was a very friendly woman who waved at the kids.  It was then that I heard her say to her co-pilot, “Should I take them on their tour now or wait until after breakfast?”

Long story short, our new friend Marita the pilot took us past security, out onto the tarmac and on a tour of the plane she was piloting that day.  It was a small private jet, with four huge leather seats, wood interior, a plate of chocolate covered fruit in the kitchen area and a pair of champagne glasses waiting for the passengers.

Here’s a view of the interior seating (with Anna and Rhiannon):

Brendan was invited to sit in the cockpit (Anna was too, but said “No” very firmly):

I also got a great picture of Rhiannon and Brendan in front of the jet (Marita said it was a “Hawker”):

Needless to say, this was by far the best airport visit ever!  Cold fries? Who cares! We got to go into a private jet!  Thank you Marita!