1 post tagged “gate”

Airplane

I sometimes forget why people fly.  I fly for work.  I fly so regularly that I sometimes forget that some people are not going to their next appointment or job site.  Some people are flying for reasons bigger than us.

Today I was sitting at my gate, F4, at O’Hare waiting for my flight to Pittsburg.  I’m sitting there emailing on my Blackberry and noticed what I would call a non-business traveler in the gate area.  He was about my age- mid 30’s- and had a Harley Davidson leather jacket and boots.  He looked like a stylish biker with perfectly styled hair and dark sunglasses.  I’m not sure why I noticed him.  Maybe because he wasn’t like us: the business traveler.

He took the empty seat near me, leaving a comfortable open seat between us.

 “Is that the Curve?”
“Huh? Oh yeah.  It’s the Curve.” 
“Cool.  Do you mind if I see it?  I am thinking about one…”
“Sure.” I hand over my Blackberry.  Something I normally would never do but I handed it over freely.  He asked a few questions but then he just started to talk.

Almost like the Kleenex commercial he shared how he lives in Bartlett and just finished building a house with his fiancé.  He’s going to Pittsburg because his grandfather died.  “A bereavement flight” he called it.  I never knew anyone who actually called it that. 

“My family is there and they all seem happy to see me.  I wonder why it takes this to see me.” I knew he was grieving more than his grandfather’s death.
“Ya know I’ve lived here for two and half years and have only been to downtown Chicago three times?” I just listened to him.  “The first time was to close on my house.”  His voice trailed off as he listed the two other times. 

“I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather.” I really meant it.  I didn’t say it because it was the right thing to say. 
“Thanks.”
“Are you ok?” It seemed like forever between when I asked the question and when he answered.
“Yeah.  Thanks for letting me see your Curve.”

He turned away.  He just sat there with his sunglasses never leaving his face.  Then the gate agent announced the flight was going to be delayed due to crew. 

“What’s that mean?” he turned back to me.
“We are waiting for enough people to fly the plane.  I’m not surprised.  Delays are pretty common.”

He reached in his jacket and pulled out his phone.

“Hey Dad”
“It’s me.”
“No, my flight is going to be about an hour late.”
”I’m not sure.”
”I’ll let you know.”
”Thanks Dad.”
“…I love you…” his voice trailed off like it did when he was telling me about his 3 visits to Chicago. 

He got up and walked away.  I pulled out my computer and started working.  The gate started filling up.  I was pretty focused on my work when I felt someone watching me.  I look around and see leather jacket guy looking my way. 

I politely acknowledged him and put my head back town toward my computer screen.  He moved his seat 3 times the hour between the announcement and boarding. 

I never did see him after that but I can’t stop thinking about him.  Who is he? Why did start opening up like that to me? 

Whoever you are, I’m hoping everything turns out OK for you. 

Respectfully Yours,

Traveler from Gate F4