On the Flight with Danny

Yesterday I wrote about the flight to Chicago with Danny Gans.  The story really isn't complete without telling the entire story.  

When the flight landed in St. Louis, every one's plans changed not just for Danny and me but everyone.  We were on the ground in St. Louis for about 3 hours before we took off for Chicago again.  Most of that time was spent on the plane parked away from the terminal.  They kept looking for an empty gate to pull up to, but there was none available.

By the time we were on the ground in St. Louis for a couple of hours we had been on that plane for 7 hours straight. What was normally a two hour flight had become a marathon. Up from the back of the plane came an Asian man who was obviously in a panic.  He was sweating and rambling in broken English about needing to get off the plane... now.  At the front of the plane he was trying to push the flight attendant away and get into the cockpit.  She was doing her best to calm him down but he was beginning to exhibit signs of classic claustrophobia.  Everyone on the plane was aware that the situation was about to escalate. 

Just at the moment it could all flash out of control,  Mel Tormé rose from his front row seat and stepped into the aisle behind the man.  He said, "Hey, Babe.... why don't you settle down, she is doing the best she can.  We all would like to get off the plane.  We will as soon as it's safe." 

The Asian man heard the voice and turned around to see Mel Tormé looking at him.  The man said, "Mel Tormé......oh my god.... it's Mel Tormé..... Mel Tormé is talking to me.... Mel Tormé"  He shook Mel's hand and melted into a giggling fan.  He sheepishly walked back to his seat in the back of the plane muttering  "Mel Tormé.... Mel Tormé".  He totally forgot about his claustrophobia and his need to get off the plane.  Mel Tormé saved flight 237.

I knew Mel but did not know he was on the flight.  After 7 hours trapped on an American Airlines flight I made my way up to Mel and said, "I guess you are the hero who saved the plane from an incident."  

Mel looked up at me and said, "Jay, babe.... are you on this flight?" (Oh no Mel, I just dropped by to say hello)

Later I was able to introduce Danny Gans to Mel Tormé and they seemed to hit it off.  I guess Mel and Danny are talking that over where ever they are right now.

As you were,

Jay