Today I felt like a "mule"
 

I know it might be a little forward but today I did something I can't believe...

After a long day yesterday I landed late into STL and decided I'd catch the early flight to HOU. So I just spent the few hours in the crewroom then went over to the Southwest terminal. After going through TSA I managed to break a wheel on my roll aboard. First issue I've ever had but it was annoying none the less. I go to the gate and by the pre-board area I see a couple gents sitting there and explain my bag had broken and asked if I could leave it there while I go get some coffee. I offered to get them some but that didn't want any.

After I get my coffee I come back and take a seat next to the two gents. Normally I wouldn't sit in the pre-board area but since my bag was busted I didn't want to go dragging it all around. We begin talking and after noticing a guitar in a cushioned sack I ask if they played for fun or if they were in a band. They both tell me how they are in a band and going to Alabama to play there. I didn't think much of it. We also talked about the cold weather and they said how they use to live in L.A. and how they couldn't believe they left since the weather there was never like this. I didn't think much of that either. The three of us spoke for about 45 minutes. After that the plane started boarding and since they were pre-boards they went ahead while I waited behind.

Once I get on the plane I put up my bags and take a seat when all the sudden the FA comes over and asked what the two gents and I were talking about. I said "Oh nothing big just the weather etc.". She says "You realize who you were talking to don't you? You were talking to Chuck Berry!". I don't know how many of you guys know who that is but I happen to listen to the oldies from time to time and can name a dozen songs of his right off the top of my head starting with "Johnny B. Goode".

So there I was sitting next to the legend of Rock n' Roll, the man that started it all, Elvis came after and many believe Chuck would have been a bigger boom had it not been back in the days of wild racism, and I completely stepped on a great American icon by asking if he was in a band.... I might as well bump into Picaso and ask him if he's a painter or run into Barack Obama and say "You look like you could be a politician".

Granted Chuck is much older now but there should be some kind of label like "Warning you're about to talk to the greatest guitar player that's ever lived so don't insult him by asking if he's in a band".

Anyway the guy was completely cool and a blast to talk to. He's the most influential person I've met by far. So who have you met on flights?

Lucky man, I envy you.

Chuck Berry. Wow.

That is priceless...

Duck,

If you ever find yourself in base for a couple days, you might want to check out Blueberry Hill. Easy ride to the Delmar Loop on the train from the terminal. Chuck plays there six or seven times per year. Oddly enough, in the "Duck Room". Only a couple hundred seats and they always sell out.

I worked as a stagehand during college and one of the guys I worked for mixes these shows so I've been to a few. It's a treat. I'd highly suggest going if you appreciate his music because he's had some health problems recently and has cut his schedule quite a bit.

The only famous people I know of on my flights are Sen. John Kerry and Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer). The dog whisperer was very nice. I don't know if Kerry was grumpy because we were an hour late, because he's about 6' 4" and had to sit in row 5 on a CRJ-200, or if it's just SOP for him.

I have heard he was an insufferable snob from a friend of mine.

Dont Feel Bad, I had Bill Russell on my flight and had no idea who he was the Capt almost fell out his chair when I asked him who Bill Ruessell was I was like really I dont know I never was a basketball fan I grew up playing Soccer and Cricket

Blueberry Hill is totally a place to be...Good food, cool atmosphere, and always packed...

Now, didn't chuck berry get caught with peepholes or something in one of his locals back in the day? Or am i confusing him with another Famous St. Louisian?

He owned a hotel out in Wentzville where he grew up and still lives. I believe that's where the incident took place. I think his judgement (or lack thereof) is one of the reasons he wasn't bigger back in the day.

Good one Duck, did you ask him if he knew he was black?

Since you chatted for 45 minutes, sounds like he was relaxed and enjoyed the conversation.

No slobbering adoring fan wanting his autograph. A nice change for him.

Now THATS some good music. Love the oldies.

Had one of those foot-in-mouth moments with Alan Alda ::sigh::...during my time as a check-in agent for Virgin Altantic I also met Anne Hathaway, Dolph Lundgren, Fiona Shaw, The Duchess of York, Bill Russert, Flavor Flav, Katie Holmes (3 times!) and a few more I'm too old to remember LoL

I had Animal from the WWF wrestling team 'The Legion of Doom' out of Marquette about a year ago. He gave me his travel sewing kit after hearing the flight attendant note that a button was loose on my shirt.

I had Geraldo Revera on my plane once. His rose colored glasses were obnoxious.

wait just a gall darn second...john kerry a snob? i dont believe it. yes, theres enough sarcasim to go around to put on your toast.

I'm going with Rebuilt here Duck. I'm sure that anonymity is a rare and welcome change for the man.

Nice story,

I've had a few celebs when I was CRJ'ing at Airlink. The one story that sticks is out is when we had Chris Brown on a flight from MSP-ICT. Our young F/A told us that he'd give us an autograph after the flight (no we didn't ask). My F/O and I just bailed after the shutdown check.

Had Bam Margera and Tony Hawk on one of my flights. They hung out after the flight and told us we could come out to their skate competition the next day. Of course it was a quick-turn. But they were both cool as hell and very down to earth.

Who the heck is Chris Brown? Or am I just old?

had Emmit Smith and Lynn Swann on my flights. that wasnt nearly as good as sitting next to Jerome Bettis going to new york once.

lol that's about the only thing that could have topped it.

This is a true story passed on to me by my F/O. He's a huge NASCAR fan and doesn't really follow any other sports. He was flying corprate down south and his boss asked him to show the new line-boy around the place. A few minutes later he waled into the corporate hanger and some tall black guy looked like he was lost. My buddy grabbed him and told him to hhok up the towbar to tug out a jet..The guy looked confused but tried anyway. My friend is kind of crass and he stats chewing the guy out about how can he be a lineboy and not know how to hook up a towbar etc etc....A few seconds later his boss starts yelling at him "Why are you yelling at our customer?" Turns out it was Michael Jordan!!! MJ just laughed and said he was going along with it to see how far the situation would go!! He said its been a long time since someone chewed him out!!! My buddy, when finding out who his "new lineboy" was exclaimed, "Who's Michael Jordan?" He told him He really never heard of him and said "Hell, If you were a NASCAR driver I would have known you!!!" He said Jordan was really nice and got a great laugh out of it