Every year around this time, I buy airline tickets for two dance teachers from England to come to the US to put on a workshop. Because of a back problem, we buy three seats for two people, so one can lie down, head in lap of partner. I am amused that each airline seems to have a different policy regarding selling empty seats. Two years ago, American Airlines listed the third seat under the name "Phoenix" and said it could have a standard meal but not a special meal. Last year, Virgin Atlantic listed the third seat under the name "Mr. ZZ" (pronounced, of course, "zed zed") and said it could not have a meal. Just now, United sold me the empty seat under the name "Emptyseat Freedman" (that's the teacher's surname), and said it could have any meal it wanted: kosher, Muslim, vegan, low sodium, etc. I'd love to see the transcripts of the meetings where these decisions are made.
Pre-9/11, I always used a fake name, whenever possible. Some of the fakes I used; Mike Valdosta Clint Steele Rick Boidi Barry Dooley Tony O'Shea Joe Foley It's not so easy, post-9/11!!
Mr. ZZ was the name of Mrs. Fout's cat, when we first met. Also pronounced "zed zed," as she adopted him while living in London.
Joe Foley was a name of a character at Kelsey's bar on the old "All in the Family" show. Gee, Bruce, I would have thought you'd have chosen Joe Friday.
Where is he? Poor Hoffa. Nixon pardons him and he gets whacked! Guess Bobby's work wasn't in vain after all.
That is so bad.... Then again, when having to give my name at a restraunt, its always Bubba. Why you ask? Well because Michael always ends up as Mike and I hate being called Mike.
Back around 1980 I worked with Richard Nixon (not the President), sometimes he had quite a job convincing airline reservations that was indeed his name.
