The voice of the pilot making the pre-flight announcements was classic California laid-back dude , and climmy and sam weiss were across the aisle from me laughing along (in the almost-first-class-not-quite-coach section). I leaned out into the aisle to catch a glimpse of said "dude," and waved at him. He waved back. Then he beckoned me to the cockpit...

I stepped forward through first class and approached the door of the cockpit to speak with him. "Moondoggie" (yes he is a surfer dude pilot) introduced me to "Moose," his co-pil (and yes he looked like a moose in the very nicest sort of way). I told them a little about the DO and all the great folks we met there.

Maybe like they have to name all the buildings/areas at IAH (bowling alley, white house, etc.) the pilots have to have nicknames too?

Sam Weiss had this really ugly tie Gordon gave him, and at my behest dug it up and showed it around. We pushed him up front to show the pilots too!

Toward the end of the flight Moondoggie sent me back a little printout slip of paper with the weather conditions on it and "Customer Appreciation Certificate" printed on top, with those stick-on wings they give to kids affixed below the printing. At the bottom of the conditions report was printed, "You arrived safely & on time!"

Later I found out that pre-flight, a passenger had sent a poem up front with some type of blessing and wish for a safe flight. Guess Moondoggie thought it was me that sent the poem... that explains that.

Anyhow, it was a great flight back to FLL and thanks Cigar for making this all possible. Thanks sam and climmy for making almost-first-class-not-quite-coach bearable!

W