I seem to manage a self inflicted IRROP about once a year....go the airport on the wrong day, book in the wrong month, etc. Anybody else do this? I had another one yesterday.

Booked on the 5:56 AM out of SEA to ORD. UG to F had cleared so I was all set.

With online check-in and no traffic early Sunday morning, I figured I could cut it close so I arranged for a 5:00 am downtown car pick up for my 5:56 flight.

Night before I set the alarm to 4 so I'd have time to shower and pack in the morning. To be on safe side I set a back up alarm for 4:15. (Lesson #1 - Always double check the AM/PM setting on your alarm.)

5:10 AM (45 minutes prior to departure), phone call from the driver wakes me from a deep slumber, "Aren't you going to the airport?"

Leap out of bed. Throw on clothes, throw stuff in a rollerboard, and I'm in the car at 5:15. 40 minutes to go. (Lesson #2 - Might be a good idea to pack the night before.)

I figure I can do online check-in from the car so they won't give my seat away. I've heard all the marketing messages.... "You can check in anytime within 24 hours of your flight." Turns out it was false advertising...should have been "anytime within 24 hours and 1 hour of your flight." 35 minutes to go. Now I start to worry. (Lesson #3 - Do your online check in early.)

Green lights all the way to the airport. Dash up to the counter at 5:38. Agents say "No chance. They shut the door 10 minutes ahead to insure an on-time departure." Me, "But I'm 1k and no checked bags." Agents, "We'll call the gate"...I wait..."You're seat in F is gone and they're shutting the door in 5 minutes. You'll never make it through TSA and the train to the N terminal, but if you do, they'll put you in coach." 14 minutes to go. I turn on the after-burners.

6 am so TSA should be empty..... wrong! (Lesson #4 - A lot of people travel early in the morning...even on Sunday).

Tap the boarding pass to the scanner. Saved by Pre-Check. (Lesson #5 - TSA Pre-Check is the greatest thing in air travel since flat-bed seats).

I hear the train coming and set the world record for a semi-controlled descent on an escalator. Train doors catch the back end of my roller board as I dive into the train.

Race to the gate. Agent is just shutting the door, and I slip in.

First time in Y in about 2 years. It's a bit like landing on strange planet surrounded by aliens, but there is no overt hostility. (Lesson #6 - I think Kettles might be disguising themselves as normal human beings.)

Seat is in the first row with a ton of leg room. Surprisingly comfortable. (Lesson #7 - Now I understand all the commotion when they took away E+ confirmed seat assignments at booking for the unlucky lower elite classes).

Order a drink. FA pulls out a credit card terminal. .... I put on my best Thurstan Howell III DYKWIA accent, "Nonsense, why I've never paid for a drink in my life!" FA rolls her eyes, and then I remember the wad of dusty drink coupons in my passport case. Surprisingly they have not yet expired and seem to satisfy the FA. (Final Lesson - A Bloody Mary sure tastes fine at 6am.)