Only celeb I've ever seen was Dennis Farina (or however you spell it, the guy from CBS' Buddy Faro show). T'was on a United Shuttle flight from LAX->PHX. I'm pretty sure he had the entire first class cabin reserved, as there were some of his family members and then a bunch of empty seats. I guess CBS paid him well enough to buy 8 first class tickets for an hour-long flight.

Once shared FC cabin with Wille Nelson on NW flight from HNL-SEA.
Once sat next to, and had an (much to my later embarassment) invasive conversation with David Chokachi (Cody Madison) of Baywatch. He was diplomatic, I was invasive. I just wanted to know why all the gals and FA's were going ga-ga over my seatmate. It was an AS flight from ANC-SEA, and I thought he was a rugged looking fisherman. Turns out he was filming an episode of Baywatch in AK and took a side-trip to Kodiak and ended up having a somewhat close encounter with a grizzly (bear, that is, not Adams). We had BOS in common (get it?) he being from Peabody and I from YUL (both can be somewhat creatively called suburbs of BOS). Nice guy.

My big brush with fame was to sit next to Bil Keane; author of the Family Circus cartoon. He was a very nice man and even drew me a little picture of "Billy" saying hello to my wife.

I have only had two encounters:

1. Regis Philbin -- AA flight from LGA to ORD. He was the last one on the plane, and about the 3rd one off.

2. Durwood Merill -- American League Umpire and Author on tonight's flight from LGA - DFW. Was actually at the game he umped on Saturday. Really nice guy.

--Jim

I've a mixed bag of Celebrities:

Last seen was Elizabeth Dole. I tried to get in the same elevator with her at the airport in Phoenix, but was waived off by her security.

On second thought the last one was Dan Obrien, of Olympic decathelon fame on a flight from SLC to Sacramento.

Also ran into Jim Nabors in the SLC Crown Room once.

Last but not least, I spoke to sports writer Jon Feinstein while waiting in the FC/Medallion line at Fort Lauderdale airport.

Edward James Olmos--SFO to LAX shuttle a few years back... he definitely had the disguise thing going (hat, sunglasses, downward glance)

The wife of Daryl Hall (or was it John Oates? can't remember)--EWR to DVR. Told me her life's story (met him as a flight attendant, now lives on a big ranch outside of Denver)

Marcus Allen of Pro Football Fame--SLC Airport back in the early 90s broken hand and all (he was still wearing his cast)

Harry Carson (another pro f-ball player, ex NY Giant) -- EWR airport.

Various college and professional sports teams

The most impressive I've ever had was on a YYZ-YEG flight--I wondered why there were all these *huge* guys around me... on the ground, I found out they were the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who had a game with the Eskimos coming up...

Also on a flight home ATL-CHA, Zach Wamp (my congressman).

Hoping to add some more in June on the Country Express (BNA-LAX)

I live in DC so politicos do not count... they are a dime a dozen around here. But...

1994: Nancy Reagan in American Ailines lounge at IAD (I was waiting for a BA flight to LHR). Secret Service and all...


1995: DC's crack-smoking (now ex-) mayor Marion Barry in Montego Bay, Jamaica airport.

1996: MIA-BWI, sat next to Tom Clancy (author, Hunt for Red October, et al) in First Class. Talked about submarines (briefly) and California wines (at length) before both of us dozed off...

SR from Zurich to NY, right before the '97 US Open. Martina Hingis was on the plane, and was the most restless flyer I have seen. She walked around Business and FC and seemed generally full of energy.

A couple of days later, I saw an article in the papers about how she did not fly well and was worried that she would not get over her jetlag before the tournament.

Martina Hingis (seldom now) lives about 10 car minutes from Zurich airport (and about 5 car minutes from Rudi) - and just yesterday I showed BlondeBomber her (and my) tennis-club (Grasshoppers Zurich) - 3 minutes from my office.

And for the US Open, she takes the transatlantic-flight more than two weeks in advance, playing one or two preparation tournaments on the East Coast (New Haven ...).

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 05-10-99).]

Well this goes way back, but while I was on a PeopleXpress flight from EWR to London, Muhammed Ali and his entourage took over most of the first class cabin.
Yes, they did have first class on their flights to London and Brussels - even at the time it was a bargin, but I was too poor to consider it (I seem to remember $750 each way).

By the way, I still remember the coach meals PeopleXpress sold on their international route - a wicker basket with sandwiches, cheese, freah fruit, cookies. I would prefer on eof those to any other meal i've had on a plan, first, business, or coach!

OMNI... of course there are some people who are fortunate to meet one celebrity who most of us know and some call a friend...

That star of morning television...

That brillant and funny and handsome and talented and lover of feline...

THe one!!! THE ONLY!!!

CATMAN!!!

Have a MEOWY day!

Bob Dole, recently in the Amsterdam airport. He was by himself and extremely eager to chat.

Of course, when we got home we combined two separate vacation stories and ever since have been insisting we saw Bob Dole stoned in a porno store in Amsterdam's red light district. Not true, but it gets an infinitely more interested reaction.

Charlie

Last night in the lobby of my hotel, most of the NY Mets organization--players and staff. Did not recognize a soul.

it is not easy - I understand - to see and get to the soul of Professional sport players ...