Who can compete with dlombard's eloquent story?? I feel as if I were there at the In-N-Out dreaming about the flights (or at least watching Gattaca ).

I, sadly, don't recall my first flight. We were in the heart of Southwest country, so it was easy and cheap to fly around the state. In the early 80's, my Dad lived in Midland, and I flew Southwest every other weekend to stay with him. So, at ten, I was already quite the frequent flyer. I knew where all the instant ticket machines were and how to quickly punch the right buttons for my flight. I learned how to convincingly lie to gate agents about my age--I HATED being an unaccompanied minor, particularly with those big heart tags they put on your arm! I even made friendly chit-chat with the flight attendants (sadly, not a lot of boys in those days of WN ) and got to make the PA announcements from time to time.

Clearly a prodigy at frequent flying, I became quite particular about the on-board snacks. I knew to ask for the Keebler Pretzels after they switched to those god-awful honey-roasted peanuts (I still, to this day will not eat a honey-roasted peanut!). I knew exactly how much time to allow at the airport and knew my way around every inch (not all that impressive when you consider there was only one concourse open at LUV, and MAF was quite the small airport).

If only we had flyertalk at the time!