Yeah, I can be bought....

So, after my last post -- I sent a letter (hard copy and email) to AirTran explaining what happened to us on our flight home (and that it made me cry) and I got a really quick and thorough (email, home phone & cell phone) response.

I got a very sincere apology..... an explanation of the policy -- a promise of an internal investigation and three vouchers.

I know it's sad -- but, these things happen -- people make mistakes, so I'll use the vouchers :)

Did I forget to tell you, AirTran made me cry

So, I debated as to whether or not I should post about this.... back and forth, back and forth.... and I decided not to, but then I really wanted to -- so, I'm going to just give you the highlights.

The Big Dubya and I took the three kids to Disney on Friday, August 29th. My sister (Aunt P) her husband (Mr Tall Guy), my brother (uncle RoRo), and my mother (Granny) met us down there on August 30th. We had an amazing time and found out on our first night that superstar Olympian Michael Phelps was staying at our resort. I had hoped that he'd stick around and teach the 'lil Dubyette to swim or at least teach her and her brother to stop drinking the pool water.... but to no avail.

Anyway, the Big Dubya was running a fancy-schmancy golf tournament in early September and couldn't afford to spend the whole week with us, so he went home early -- as did RoRo and Granny. This left me, Aunt P, Mr Tall Guy and the three kiddies. We had a good time, but then... all good things must come to an end and so, it was time to go home. Aunt P and Mr Tall Guy were flying to Boston..... me? oh, me and the kids were flying back to White Plains -- so, yes -- I was flying with the three kids on my own (and I thought a trip to the mall was brave!)

We managed to get through airport security just fine -- we had a picnic at the gate.... the 'lil Dubya (3) and the 'lil Dubyette (21 mos) munched on cheez-its while I nursed baby Dubya (12 weeks). We boarded the plane, got into our seats and all was good in the world.... until a flight attendant yelled at me and I lost my shit. Long story short, I'd been given poor information by their phone people and she was telling me that I'd either have to let another passenger hold my baby or I'd have to get off the plane.

I cried

I wasn't even embarrassed about it -- I cried.

I cried and cried... I'd had enough.



I'd been brave -- the Big Dubya leaving me in Orlando with three small kids on my own didn't make me cry.... going through security with three kids on my own didn't make me cry.... getting on the plane didn't make me cry.



This bitch flight attendant telling me to give one of my babies to a stranger to hold during take-off and landing.... yep, that made me cry. And, although they all looked like lovely people, I was not giving any of my babies to a stranger to hold -- regardless of how long it would be for. And getting off the plane made no sense.... I live in Connecticut.

Other passengers were very kind.

She was just trying to do her job

She got her superior and it all worked out fine -- but yeah, AirTran made me cry



The Big Dubya was pissed and Twittered about it (is that a word? Twittered?) -- I think he was hoping for some sort of apology -- but instead, he just got comments from other people who hate AirTran.

I'm going to have to script a letter..... stay tuned.

You want to be what?

Yeah, so we made the mistake of asking the 'lil Dubya what he wants to be for Halloween..... he wants to be "Manny the elephant" from Ice Age......

First of all 'lil dude, Manny's not an elephant -- he's a really moody wooly mammoth and second.... huh? where the hell does one find THAT costume?

This country..... build 'em up to knock them down

Look, I'm a conservative..... disagree with me, or even hate me if you want to.... whateveah!



But, seriously...... whether you support Governor Palin or not, why is it that the media can get away with questioning her ability to run for Vice President and still care for her children?


If we are doing our job as the parent of a little girl, we should be raising her to believe she can do anything, she can have it all...... and then when she does..... are we going to tell her that she can't do both well -- and if she chooses a high-powered, demanding career -- then she's a neglectful parent?

Barrack Obama's been on the campaign trail for the better part of two years -- yet no one has accused him of neglecting his children. In fact, the only person I've heard mention the fact that he's away from his children is his wife, and she's refreshingly candid about the toll the campaign has taken on their family. The same could be said for Bill Clinton (Chelsea was what 11? maybe 12? when he was elected to his first term?) -- John Edwards has young children -- I'm sure there are candidates..... in both parties with young children, but the guys just don't get this kind of crap.


My parents raised me to believe I could accomplish whatever I wanted..... they never told me that I'd have to choose.... family or career just because I'm a girl -- men don't have to.

At this point in my life, I wouldn't pursue a job that requires a lot of travel -- but that's not because we couldn't figure out a way to make it work -- it's because I don't want to. If Governor Palin and her husband can figure out a way to make this work -- more power to them.

Let's talk about stuff that matters