Pax in 11D

MARK

2012-11-09T17:49:00.001-08:00

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: I run sales for an advertising technology company; so I spend a lot of time on Madison Avenue

FUN FACT: Met and befriended Ray Charles during the L.A. riots in the early 1990's and began to work with him shortly thereafter. I published Ray Charles: The Early Years with Ray in 1995.

BUCKET LIST: Agrigento, Sicily...A lot of family down there.

GUILTY PLEASURE: (Skipping Mass for)... A day at the Pomona Swap meet hoping to find/buy a beautifully restored 1969 Dodge Charger. If my son is with me, it's that much better.
*MY TWO CENTS*: I was lucky enough to meet Ray Charles once, when I first started flying. I will always remember meeting him, he was one of the greats.

MALIK

2012-09-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Unfortunately for work

FUN FACT: In the past 3 years, I have lived and/or worked in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Afghanistan, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Washington DC and I love exploring new places.

BUCKET LIST: Hawaii, Hawaii & Hawaii!

GUILTY PLEASURE: Spending a weekend playing and just hanging out with my daughter with absolutely NO work.

*MY TWO CENTS*: With all the places he has been to all over the world, it is amazing that he picked somewhere in the U.S. I love the fact that there are so many wonderful & beautiful places right here in the USA and I get to see so many of them with this job. I am truly blessed!

JOHN

2012-09-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

DFW-LAX

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Business

FUN FACT: I was in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

BUCKET LIST: Fly into Space, Flt a Glider, Trip to the Holy Land

GUILTY PLEASURE: Play with electronic games...all day. Live in a Movie Theater. Dream of winning the Lottery

*MY TWO CENTS*: It is interesting that a lot of the answers are similar. Space Travel comes up often. Playing games all day etc. But I have a first folks.....Living in a movie theater. I would love to live in the movie theater...It would always be a comfortable temperature, I love movie popcorn and coke. I love movies....I could watch the ones I love over and over again. On a more serious note, I am glad I was NOT in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

VACATION

2012-06-04T18:05:00.001-07:00

Hello and thanks for following. I have been on a very long vacation and then had to work A LOT to pay for it. I have some interesting new posts coming soon. Please be sure to check back often!

Penni P

PAUL

2012-03-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

FEB 27, 2012

BOS - ORD

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Business trip to work with remotely located colleagues.

FUN FACT: My twin sister donated a kidney to me.

BUCKET LIST: To go up in Space.

GUILTY PLEASURE: “Vegging” out in front of TV.

*MY TWO CENTS*: I recently had a couple of Flight Attendant friends ask what answers come up frequently. Going into space and vegging out, decompressing and having a completely electronic free weekend seem to be on a lot of people's minds these days. I didn’t know if Paul was going to fill it out when I first approached him. He was super busy working. I am glad that he did. It made me feel really great to know that his sister donated a kidney, what an amazing woman. It makes you wonder... how far would you go for another human being?

LARRY

2012-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

FEB 26, 2012

SAN - ORD

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Coming home from visiting friends in San Diego

FUN FACT: Took Trans - Siberian railroad through Russia to China

BUCKET LIST: Backpack through India

GUILTY PLEASURE: Drink 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning on my days off.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Since I started my blog, my bucket list has grown by leaps and bounds. This is a fine example of how things get added to the list. Trans - Siberian railroad through Russia to China…sign me up!

JOYCE

2012-03-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

FEB 21, 2012

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Going to visit friends in Austin. A dear friend relocated there with her husband last summer. I will be spending four days riding bikes around Austin and surrounding hill country.

FUN FACT: I spent 6 months in Thailand back in the 70’s when it was a “war zone”. Lived among the people 18 miles from the Cambodian border. I love island vacations! Recent trip to Spain brought me home 3 days early due to a “life threatening” food poisoning.

BUCKET LIST: 1. Hawaii - hopefully going next year for our 30th Anniversary
2- Grandchildren - hmmm, not sure I’ll be around long enough! Had my children late and they are on the path to do the same thing.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Reading a book ALL DAY - recliner works best, but on a beach is outstanding.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Unfortunately sometimes when I give these forms out, I don’t get a chance to talk to the person regarding their responses. This is one of those times. I would have loved to be able to talk to Joyce and get more info about Spain, Thailand, Cambodia etc.

DAVID

2012-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

FEB 14, 2012

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: To get home from Triathlon Camp to Boston.

FUN FACT: Have surfed 23 of Surfer magazines top 100 waves. Also will do inaugural Ironman NY, this summer.

BUCKET LIST: My friend Will’s uber party on Starbeach in Crete. Checkout Beachflirt on youtube.

► 2:08► 2:08

www.youtube.com/watch?v=52acW2vuS3E

GUILTY PLEASURE: Buying new surfboards yearly - now only if “his favorite airline” would drop their board fees.

*MY TWO CENTS*: David was super interesting, he has traveled all over the world. Of course, I had to check out the beach flirt video on youtube! On my bucket list is Santorini, Greece, but this Uber party in Crete looks like a once in a lifetime event. I was hooked and watched a couple of the youtube videos. David, thank you for sharing! PS. Thank you for your tips regarding the Canary Islands too.

MARTHA

2012-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

FEB 14, 2012 (Insert heart here)

DFW - AUS

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Heading home

FUN FACT: I have walked the Camino to Santiago, Finisterre and Muxia

BUCKET LIST: Leave the world a greener, better place

GUILTY PLEASURE: Fountain coca cola

*MY TWO CENTS*: It was perfect that Martha was on my flight on Valentine’s Day, because I love her. She even invited me to hangout in Austin sometime, and I love Austin…perfect!

JOAN

2012-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

FEB 12, 2012

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Going home after a great party for my home office employees in LA.

FUN FACT: I love to paint Landscapes

BUCKET LIST: Paris in the Fall

GUILTY PLEASURE: Going to visit my Granddaughters (all four of them)

*MY TWO CENTS*: The first time I ever went to Paris was in the Fall, it was wonderful. I hope Joan is able to get there soon. Paris is magical and I absolutely love the food.

"PEPE" THE SOCK MONKEY

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

LAX-MCO-DFW-MCO-LAX

JAN 26-28, 2012

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: To look up the skirts of the sexy stews and get free drinks.

FUN FACT: I know the secrets of everyone around me.

BUCKET LIST: To do as much as I can before my stuffing starts falling out.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Being held & kissed by strangers!

*MY TWO CENTS*: Pepe was a cheeky little thing, but he had a great time on the 3 day trip. Check out his tab on this website. You can also follow him on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepe-the-Sock-Monkey/318509468171923

TODD

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

JAN 27, 2012

DFW - MCO

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Off to Dayton for the 24 Hours of Dayton Race...just to watch, though

FUN FACT: I've stood on the stage at the Met. Can't sing though...

BUCKET LIST: Actually sing at the Met?? Visit every beach possible! Everest base camp. Antarctica - That will give me all 7! - But I hate cold!

GUILTY PLEASURE: Chocolate for breakfast!

*MY TWO CENTS*: Todd was AWESOME! I happened to have a sock monkey with me for a 3 day trip as a favor for a friend (see "Pepe's" post). As Pepe & I were cruising through the aisle, Todd let me know that he had a sock monkey hat...it was fate! Todd was actually sitting in seat 5E...NO ONE was sitting in seat 11D...fate! Todd was so much fun, filled out the form, got out his hat and posed with Pepe!

MICHAEL

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

JAN 26, 2012

MCO-DFW

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT:Going home to Dallas,TX.... just attended a beer convention

(North American Breweries)

FUN FACT: I have been on the Original Bozo the clown show in the early 60's and was King for the day.

BUCKET LIST: To visit the Greek Islands (Mykonos) Then travel to Northern Italy for skiing and food!

GUILTY PLEASURE:To lay around the pool with friends and family all day.... cookout.

*MY TWO CENTS*: A beer convention, I would have loved to been the quality control person! =). I remember Bozo the clown show, it was before clowns were scary and creepy. I remember Miss Nancy looking through the magic mirror and she would call out the names of the kids she would see. I always wanted her to "see" me, but with a not so common name (at the time), Penni...she never "saw" me.

JON

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

JAN 25, 2010

LAX-MCO

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: To meet a good friend, her husband and their kids (and dog) and visit Universal Studios Park

FUN FACT: I am privileged to be a member of the 2 least trusted professions… Lawyer and Building Contractor.

BUCKET LIST: To be the Key West Fantasy Fest Queen

GUILTY PLEASURE: Have fun at Universal while my girlfriend stays home and works.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Jon was worried that his answers were boring….really? I think they were pretty funny. He was also a privileged member of PaxIn11D that said that they had to modify their “Guilty Pleasure” response…. He was funny and fun to have on board. Too bad it was an all nighter, I would love to have talked to him a bit more to find out about the Key West Fantasy Fest.

AMANDA

2012-01-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

JAN 10, 2012

MCO-DFW

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Returning home from a month long business/pleasure trip, Toulouse, France - London - NYC - Orlando

FUN FACT: I traveled to over 40 countries and 50 states, by the time I was 30. I spend every June in Germany visiting family.

BUCKET LIST: All 7 wonders of the world

GUILTY PLEASURE: Spending hours doing NOTHING on any beach I can find.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Because of my love of travel and experiencing new things, I am extremely jealous of her travel to 40 countries & 50 states, by the age of 30. I am still working on both and I am….well let’s just say I am no longer in my 30’s. Luckily, I will be able to add more countries my list this April. I am going on a 9 day cruise from Barcelona to the Canary Islands. I am super excited about the art and food in Spain!

ED

2012-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

JAN 6, 2011

DFW-LAX

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Attend art show, Visit family/Friends

FUN FACT: 81 - mobility problems, edema and still excited about the fun I’ll have.

BUCKET LIST: 27 visits to each of my children and grandchildren.

GUILTY PLEASURE: At my age I have outgrown them.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Thanks to Ed my blog now includes entries from passengers from 8 to 81. I love Ed’s spirit! He has mobility issues, but it is not slowing him down mentally. He still is excited about his next adventure. Meeting him and reading, re-reading and now writing his responses really makes me appreciate everything I have. His entry really will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope that I am still out and about when I am 81. Hopefully not pushing the beverage cart up and down the aisle, but definitely traveling!

CAN YOU SKIP THE STARBUCK'S THIS WEEK?

2012-01-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Those of us who love Elise are trying to raise money to help her with medical bills. Elise gives so much to others. Let's give to her now.

Elise is the single mom of an amazing teenage son. She was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1996 while pregnant. After 13 years in remission, Elise was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in December 2010. After surgery, a week in the hospital, CT scans every 3 months, and numerous doctor appointments, the medical bills have skyrocketed. The tests will continue at least for 2 years. Any funds donated will be used to pay off medical bills. Thanks for helping!

Prayers are also needed for Elise and her son. Six months after her latest diagnosis, her father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He passed away 4 months ago, which has been very hard. Lets all help make this a better year.

http://www.giveforward.com/elisescancerbattle

SCOTT

2012-01-04T09:35:00.003-08:00

***FIRST BLOG POST 2012!***

1/2/2012 (ok, that was fun!)

JFK-LAX

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Spent the Holiday with my partner in NYC at our apt. & now headed back to our home in L.A. (he's on a different flight about 10 mins. ahead of us!)

FUN FACT: I have a unique talent where I remember numbers... Bank accounts, phone numbers, credit card numbers, you name it! without looking, I know my frequent flyer numbers for 3 airlines... (and now 11D) I'm cursed.

BUCKET LIST: Want to take a Safari, go down under and spend time learning to fly.

GUILTY PLEASURE: watching "Devil wears Prada" and eating popcorn with plain M&M's dumped in. YUM!

*MY TWO CENTS*: Scott was awesome, he is one of those pax that you immediately love the first time you interact with them. It was cute when he got excited to fill out the form and help me with my blog! My husband has the crazy number thing too. Paul remembers phone numbers, car & motorcycle part numbers...but he can't ever remember his driver's license number.

JASON

2012-01-04T09:35:00.001-08:00

DEC 30, 2011

JFK-LAX (to PVG)

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Visiting China for the first time... Shanghai & Hangzhou! I am going to eat everything!

FUN FACT: I am competing in the 2012 NYC Ironman.

BUCKET LIST: To be barreled by a wave on the North Shore of Hawaii.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Sitting on the couch with a huge queue of reality TV on the DVR (Bravo, usually)

*MY TWO CENTS*: As soon as I read his responses I had to go talk to him in detail. I am that girl that will try and eat everything..once. The hot stuff not so much, but the gross stuff...within reason. I love the street vendors in Mexico, NYC etc. He is going to be able to try some pretty interesting stuff in China and he seemed super excited about it too!

MARTIN

2012-01-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

DEC. 27, 2011

LAX-JFK

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: I commute regularly between Los Angeles and New York. I work in the aerospace industry in California and produce theater in NYC (Broadway and off-Broadway)

FUN FACT: I travel all over the world for solar eclipses and marathons. In Nov 2012 I will be going to Port Douglas, Australia (near Cairns in Queensland) for a marathon, that will start with an eclipse.

BUCKET LIST: Win a Tony Award for producing a musical.

GUILTY PLEASURE: I NEVER answer the phone if it is interrupting something I consider more important.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Martin is a dichotomy...the aerospace industry and the entertainment industry. I wouldn't automatically associate those two things with each other. I love the fact that he has traveled all over to view eclipses. I am surprised when I can remember to set my alarm to see an eclipse. It will always amaze me, the diversity of the people that I would never have gotten get to meet, if I were not writing this blog!

2011-12-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

DEC 13, 2011

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Going Home

FUN FACT: I love my jobs. (I have also run the rapids on the Gallatin river)

BUCKET LIST: Visit outer space / Antarctica / Every State in the U.S.

GUILTY PLEASURE: A day on my couch watching College football with my wife and daughter.

*MY TWO CENTS*: Interesting that he should mention traveling to outer space. I just saw a news show regarding public space travel. A company is working on a craft that will be able to take the "public" into outer space. I never had the opportunity to fly on the Concorde. If space travel does become a reality...where can I buy my ticket?

GEORGE

2011-12-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

LAX-DFW

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: Returning from Parent's weekend at UCLA, with my Freshman daughter.

FUN FACT: I almost fell off the leaning tower of Pisa

BUCKET LIST: South African Safari

*MY TWO CENTS*: At first George seemed reluctant to fill out the form and then he came back to the galley and we started talking about him almost falling off the leaning Tower of Pisa.....how exactly does this happen? The stairs are made of marble and very slick, he lost his footing and started sliding, taking his daughter with him. Other than the falling part he said it was incredible. It seems like he has a great relationship with his daughter, I love it. I am close to both of my parents and I really think it has made me a better person, adult and wife. Thanks Mom & Dad!

ANDREW & LESLIE

2011-12-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

NOV. 24, 2011

WHY ON THIS FLIGHT: To get back home in time for Thanksgiving dinner! Surprising the Mom and bought tickets for an earlier flight, since she was already upset about us being gone. We had to cut our trip to St Maarten short.

FUN FACT: Leslie: parachuting Andrew: swam with sharks in Punta Cana. We got engaged in Cancun. Funny fact....Leslie popped one of her breast implants and looked like she had a flat tire for six weeks, while waiting to get it fixed.

BUCKET LIST: Leslie: Tuscany, Italy/winning super lotto =)/Bungee jump over water. Andrew: going zip lining in Costa Rica/kite boarding. Both: Getting married on a secluded tropical island beach.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Leslie: gambling/eating fast food in bed after a night out drinking. Andrew: watching NFL Sunday ticket.

*MY TWO CENTS*: OK, I know they weren't both sitting in 11D, but they were such a fun, cute couple that I had them both fill it out together. They were cute from the boarding process, so I was happy that they were seated in 11D. I especially love the fact that they cut their vacation...in St Maarten short, so they could be with family. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday ever. Luckily my family and my husbands family get along so well that we usually spend Thanksgiving together. A couple of years all of us were able to spend Christmas together also. I always love how wild, loud and crazy it gets to be at these gatherings, I wouldn't have it any other way!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-23T08:49:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for so many things...
My wonderful husband, who puts up with all of my antics. (changing my name to Pepper, because I was bored one day)

My Mom for so many things, she gave me such a great life full of adventure, acceptance and accomplishment! Especially for the fact that she edits the blog, because I am a numbers girl, not so much a grammar girl. My Dad, for laughing when I call my Mom 100 times a day and for loving the Cowboys & Chargers even when they play poorly. My brothers for being my only friends each year we moved to a new place. I especially love when we all get together and laugh about the funny things that happened when we were younger. My baby brother for adding another brother to laugh & love with all my heart. My "sister" married to my brother Bill, for being a great friend, amazing mother and who keeps my brother in check.

My In-Law-Family, yes I am blessed with having the best in-laws EVER! Paul's Mom is wise and has always given me wonderful money advice. Paul's sister Sue (my first sister-in-law) & our hour long chats, even though she has three very active and sweet boys. All of Paul's other brothers and their wives, I couldn't imagine a Holiday without them...it would be way toooo quiet.

Darlene, my mentor, who has given me a business sense that I could have never acquired on my own or as quickly.

My BFF's, Chapin, Kim, Ian & Lisa who know all the good, the bad and the ugly and still love me no matter what. These are the people that I laugh the deepest and cry the hardest.

Kristina Lee, Fox News 5 San Diego, for finding my story interesting and putting it on the news multiple times. http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-seat-11d-blogging-from-the-skies-above-20111024,0,6124773.story

A big heartfelt Thank You to all of the service men and women that prove everyday that freedom is not free.

I am especially thankful for the many people whom have decided to participate in this blog, it would not be possible without them. I keep in regular contact with a couple of them and I am sure I will become even better friends with a handful.

Last, but certainly not least, you the readers. Thank you so much for all of the kind words and support you have given me these past 18 months. I look forward to keeping you entertained in the future!

Thank you everyone for helping me become the person I am today. I am so happy to have each and everyone of you in my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Penni P.

VACATION

2011-11-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't flown for the last couple of weeks. I did go to recurrent emergency procedures training and sat another stand-by (see first couple of posts). I go to MIA today and I am flying a lot in December as well. Check back in a couple of days for some new posts.

Penni P

Pax in 11D

MARK

MALIK

JOHN

VACATION

PAUL

LARRY

JOYCE

DAVID

MARTHA

JOAN

"PEPE" THE SOCK MONKEY

TODD

MICHAEL

JON

AMANDA

ED

CAN YOU SKIP THE STARBUCK'S THIS WEEK?

Those of us who love Elise are trying to raise money to help her with medical bills. Elise gives so much to others. Let's give to her now.

SCOTT

JASON

MARTIN

GEORGE

ANDREW & LESLIE

***HAPPY THANKSGIVING***

***VACATION***

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

VACATION