My brother was traveling from MHT to PHX with a foreign exchange student, changing planes in MDW. I was traveling home and noticed that I could fly from ATL to PHX via MDW and my plane was going to be my brother’s connection. I thought it would be fun to be on the aircraft when they boarded and surprise them. So when I landed in MDW I was the only “through.” The flight attendants and I were having a little party over the wing and the First Officer came back to chat. His first question was, “why in the world would you fly home to PHX via Chicago when there are plenty of non-stops?” I told him that my brother and his foreign exchange student were out there in line waiting to board and I was here to surprise them. He said, “wow, I’ll be back.” The next thing I knew, here comes my brother and the college student boarding looking like cows looking at a new gate. They didn’t know what was going on until jumped out in the aisle and hollered, “SURPRISE!” The pilot went out and called for my brother and Petr and gave them a special boarding. Here’s a picture of us all alone in the aircraft...taken by that nice First Officer. That was one of my best days of travel ever...and I’ve had thousands of them! Thanks SWA for always going above and beyond. James Siverts - Ken Siverts - Petr Placek.
... View more
