Sky Marshalls Kicked Me Off Of A Flight

My weekly chat over coffee. I talk about what I did this week and what's been on my mind. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning, I promise.
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[@otisgibbs]

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[@jpalberthoward9]

I never had any trouble with a sky Marshall, but a ground loop on a Fender nearly killed me once......... Moe:"Do you know the Great Wall of China?" Curly:"No, but I know a good fence in Chicago" Moe: Why don't you get a toupe` with some brains in it?"

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Yo Otis man, you are dangerous! Stay well

[@ocaphoenix5347]

@@kevinburnes3216- Yes I learned alot from Otis too! have a great weekend!

[@russellzauner]

I know a guy that got deported from Canada at the terminal. :-) Turns out reckless driving is a *felony* in Canada and they do background checks for entry. He got off the plane, he was one of the unlucky 25% selected for background check, reckless driving came up and while a misdemeanor in most places in the USA it's a *felony* in Canada and it seems they don't like felons crossing the border without *extra* paperwork. I learned that one can become a felon the instant they cross a border. So if you plan to go to Canada, you might want to call ahead. Call who? Uh. Canada I guess but yeah it's an interesting question.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Otis, Im an airline pilot in Atlanta... The way oversell is supposed to be dealt with is they buy off volunteers at the gate for big money. If nobody volunteers, they start bumping backwards using check in time. Last one checked in is the first bumped. Its obvious you were on DAL, so this was handled completely wrong, assuming it was within the last 10 years. They also broke international law by not removing your luggage!

[@wwjjss33]

You, Sir, are a first class human who deserved that first class ticket! Your self control is phenomenal & paid off 👍

[@f5mando]

Handles like a gent. I'm so glad it all worked out for you. You deserved that perfect outcome.

[@bgdenham]

Otis, if I was a Catholic priest I would put you in for Sainthood. But, I’m a Baptist preacher, so you get nothing except a fulfillment of the saying, “good things come to those who wait” Great story, I love it!

[@robertwynkoop7112]

Flyin First Class the Hard Way…… I can hear the song now! Much Love Otis, thank you!

[@joblo6394]

“…this person isn’t the person that did it -but they might be the person that can solve it..” You’re a gem Otis 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@lordthunderchicken4636]

Except the person he was referring to actually didnt help and possibly made it worse

[@joblo6394]

@@lordthunderchicken4636 you think that’s the point?

[@lordthunderchicken4636]

What point is to made when the statement fell apart on further examination.

[@joblo6394]

@@lordthunderchicken4636 the statement -the sentiment- can be applied over and over in life. Maybe you’re one of these ballistic types, no shock there.

[@Cycletroll]

You are kinder and more patient than most. Thank you for the lesson.

[@willyfromthehillies]

Great story. As a person that has been flying periodically for business for 20+ years but not regularly enough to have diamond status or anything like that, I have also found that staying calm and respectful to the staff is ALWAYS a better idea than being the irate traveler that has simply had enough. That gate agent probably felt horrible for your situation and after you reacted calmly to the Marshals taking you off the plane, I bet she called a liaison person and explained your situation.

[@gabeatv]

I’m so glad it all worked out at the end! I was so stressed and really mad for how unjustly you were treated, haha. Man, what a story.

[@05645ci]

Otis, thanks again for a great story; as someone who traveled for business for 40 years, the stress generated from airline travel over that time would fill several roll-aboards; thanks for the reminder to remain cool ALWAYS when dealing with airline personnel; the only way you are going to get help is for that person to feel empathy for your situation, and appreciation for your kindness to them. Great lesson here.

[@davidperkins9603]

Wow, stressful story! A time when it literally paid to be gracious and keep a cool head.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, David! : )

[@darrencarter]

Great story! Also....having a positive attitude helps A LOT

[@markbirchette8740]

I remember when airlines cared about their customers. I've even been given a room, transportation to the hotel and back to the airport, plus several hundred dollars cash, no check. I hate flying today because they don't care and see you as nothing but a number. This was in the mid 80s while in the Army and they cannot bump you if on orders. Only by planning ahead a few days was I able to accept their offer. Otherwise I'd have been A.W.O.L. Airlines suck now but they used to go out of their way for causing you inconvenience. I also got first class first time ever.

[@thelmaorellana-deschenes7646]

This is a very important story, Otis. What a life lesson. I respect your saintly response to the hassle. God Bless

[@RenaissanceMan929]

sometimes it pays to be the nice guy! GREAT story, thank you.

[@dorksvilledog]

A pleasure and an honor to find about about you and meet you and hear your stories and songs at Park West in Chicago 11/3 2022. Thanks for this story. I got taken care of by an airline too. Just by being nice. And patient. Nothing like what you went through,but still,being nice paid off.

[@UncleBillyBob732]

We need more like you. Too many hot heads these days. Glad it turned out in your favor.

[@edfederoff2679]

Otis, You're a true stand-up guy. Bless you, brother.

[@jeffersonspace]

Back in 85 I had just finished riding a bicycle from Duluth to Eagan, MN (just south of St. Paul). I was able to get a lift to the airport the night before, and after scoping out the entire terminal out I decided on a nearly finished parking garage that was still being constructed outside. So, that is where I ended up - on top of an elevator shaft - on the roof of this parking garage. Don't think I slept much though as I was wondering if they would provide me with a bike box the next morning, and they did at the last minute. Anyways, a few years later I was at a movie theater watching "Fargo," and recognized the place from this scene in the movie. Think I turned to my buddy, and said "See that elevator shaft? I slept on top of that." Thanks Otis. Bless

[@Randysax1955]

Otis..to be honest,...this is the 1st time I've heard of you..but definitely not the last. I always think that there's a different level of empathy to the human condition that resides in many of us singer- songwriters. Maybe it's the way we looked at the human condition and how we relate to everyone ? And You have just supported my theory in the way you addressed this crazy situation. Much love and respect to you...Randy

[@bryanfriend6094]

Great story Otis! I lived in Middle Tennessee for nearly 30 years. Have been in Northern Wisconsin for nearly 20 years. I used to fly down to Nashville to visit family. My last trek down there was a debacle. My connecting flight from O'Hare got overbooked and I was bumped. I was given a voucher for lodging (13 miles away,) but not given the voucher for transportation there....stuck in the concourse for the night. It took me 27 hours hours to fly home, when I could have driven it in 15 hours. I agree with you on being civil to the employees...its better that they attempt to assist because they want to, not because they have to.

[@robertwynkoop7112]

I once took the bus from Portland OR to Louisville KY for Christmas, took a little over 2 days (8 hour layover overnight in Rawlings WY bus station due to bus breakdown) and when I arrived, all the Christmas presents had been stolen from my luggage…… I feel your pain Otis!

[@rockradstone]

Whoa---Rawlings, Wyoming must be an accursed place. In '73 I was traveling with four friends from Woodstock, Vermont to Eugene, Oregon; we broke down in Rawlings. Five full-grown hippie types plus one guitar, two boxes of canning jars, and all our other things were squeezed into a VW van for the night---and it was blizzard conditions all night long. There was a layer of ice inside the roof of that van by morning---from our breath I guess. Stressful, but not as much as Otis' experience.

[@area51audio]

Man...what a wonderful story. Goes to show that sometimes the good guys actually do win...and things really do have a way of working out if we just take a step back and allow it to run it's course.

[@lovingjesus5184]

Wow...what a true gem keeping your cool. Bless you for your calm witness.

[@bertroost1675]

I traveled back and forth from China probably 40 times in 20 years. I got bumped up 3 times to first class. It is amazing! I only remember one of the situations. My assigned seat was in the middle of a group of high schoolers and the boarding lady noticed this while I was seated among all the these kids in the waiting area. She walked up to me and said would you like to change your seat to this and showed me the first class ticket. When I first checked in I talked to her a little bit in poor Chinese and smiled. She must have liked that.

[@Dave-sw2dm]

Great story. Glad your calm paid off.

[@thomasmcginnis3783]

Holy COW!!! Marvelous goodness all 'round. Cheers! to you.

[@billb945]

I've been bumped from several overbooked flights traveling single and gotten rebooked on first class on another flight. I've found being as nice as possible to the gate agents really pays off, regardless of how furious I am at the airline for f**king up. I travelled once with my mom and she asked me ( after I got us bumped to first class ) when I learned to be nice like that. Hey !

[@Sammywhat]

First class for a first class guy. Balance has been restored! Great story!! God bless you for your patience, wisdom, and expediting that check! 😉🙏🙏🙏

[@keithpeeples3565]

"At the airport in Milwaukee, they refused to let us board the plane at all. They said we looked suspicious, but I believe they liked to pick on me and Paul". Rough and rocky traveling for sure. You have patience beyond belief. The world could use more of that. unbelievable ordeal. Safe travels Otis.

[@anthonymorales842]

That story is a master class of karma. Especially "their people too". I will use this story as a reference for those trying times we all have.

[@douglasbair5647]

I hear this. Kind of thing all the time! My respect for handling it so patiently!

[@jimideez9829]

Just when I think you couldn't tell a better story...you do. Thanx Otis.

[@houstonfly]

This is really a story on the Stoic philosophy. First, never let others dictate your attitude. Life is tough: don't get depressed in the low-moments and don't get overly-excited during the highs. Secondly, don't value other people's opinions above yourself. You remained calm with your own internal value of self-worth. How telling the gate-agent thought you would go "ballistic", because that is what HE/SHE would do in your place. Basically, you remained in the adult-state under stress which is an admirable trait. At least there are two of us left.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Man, I dint handle that kind of stress well, no money is worth it to me. It's good you kept a cool head. I follow my uncle Norman's advice in my old man life, and that is, "if its higher than corn or lower than taters, I dont need it Planes are higher than corn, Ireland dont need me bad enough. LOL Good to "see" you this morning with my pipe and coffee outside with the birds singing.

[@otisgibbs]

Uncle Norman my be onto something! : )

[@rogerwilliams2629]

@@otisgibbs he was a hell of a man, and I loved him. He was the black sheep until I came of age. LOL

[@lowelldenney7255]

I'm retired from American Airlines...Started in Nashville actually...That must have been Delta you flew....Anyway, they did you right for the most part....And I hate to say this, but they should have given you even more to make up for this...In the future, remember this, the more you lean on them, the more you'll get...And you did the right thing by bringing your guitar up top with you... Another thing, on an international flight, by law, they HAVE to pull your luggage off for safety reasons...That was a managers call to not do that ..An on time departure is more important than the safety aspect...Trust me, it happens every day. .

[@JoeKyser]

I always flew American Airlines when I could. They have done me so solid its not funny. I have several stories where they went above and beyond. The best was when my Grandfather was dying and I had never met him yet. I was broke and emotional. They charged me $600 round trip from Philadelphia to Hawaii and even informed the crew ahead of time I was coming. They treated me so nice. I will never ever forget that.

[@sm1tty031]

Im Platinum with Delta, They arent without problems and have had some issues but for the most part they have been okay. Once in PDX my flight was cancelled back to JFK. They cancelled it in the AM and my flight was supposed to be the evening flight. I got to the AP as I had nowhere to go anyway since I lived in NY. The check in agent told me my flight was cancelled and she rebooked me for the 6 AM flight. I said I would just sleep in the airport then...She said no I wont, Delta is putting you in a hotel, then ave me 4 times the amount of meal vouchers which she then said also includes alcohol, always a plus and upgraded me to first class...this was when I was a silver.

[@brianbrino4310]

It’s a gorgeous story but shame on the people that did this to you as you didn’t even deserve to go through all this. But I’ve been in Atlanta airport and you couldn’t rest back and relax a little bit. Have yourself some wonderful future videos for us. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@Bakaat777]

This PROVES that you do NOT have to get upset and make a scene. MOST things work out. Losing your temper only hurts yourself. I've always been the same way. Most times it is NOT the person's fault you are dealing with at the moment the bad news hits, and chances are, they WILL help you, but usually only IF you keep your cool. Thanks for the story. Peace.

[@whereuwannabe5136]

OK Otis. You are a kind, understanding, and gentle man. Truly glad you made it to your gig. Enough of the mystery. Why the cover? Who got your seat?

[@L8nitedave]

You are kind, thoughtful and genuine person. I don't think you have to worry about your name much.

[@amyf4985]

One of my favorite "Otis" stories. We need more modelers of this kind of restraint.

[@wildcolonialman]

Brilliant. Patience and manners.... fabulous effort Otis.

[@hearpalhere]

You are a very kind and patient person it seems :-) Sorry that you went through it but glad that it turned out OK in the end. The call to the sky marshalls could have been dangerous in itself, that is probably the most disturbing part of this story. Glad you were OK and calm the whole time.

[@kimberlywolcott5506]

Love that story! First class for first class behavior !

[@afterthought3341]

This story made me cry , how composed he was . That's a lesson dealing with anyone to do with air travel, police or tax agents blowing your top only gets you in a worse position.

[@topfacemod]

Otis, man, thats the kind of stress that can kill. My mom has afib and the Airline would have *I KNOW* cause her a stroke under those circumstances. You deserved the check and the first class flight! They f'd up they knew it and they paid accordingly. Good for you, brother.

[@kevindonohue8918]

As petty said ...the waiting is the hardest part. Good to see ya this sat. AM. Be well Otis. I may run into you on a layover ...ha

[@garyharrison555]

Great time to listen to this just before leaving for work, stayed calm all day

[@mcwhorter141mcwhorter8]

What a great ending to the story, your level headed behavior in those frustrating hours paid off I believe.

[@peterpedersen1641]

Hi Otis... great story. I have had many similar events. I travel a lot, or did prior to Covid. My biz partner is an AA pilot. So I do get perks, like upgraders for first class. Being stuck in airports suck. Especially at our age. I was stuck when my seat was taken just prior to my flight by someone else. And I had just gifted two first class seats to 2 ladies who were heading down to Haiti with me! I ended up having to stay overnight and get the next flight in the morning. All good in the end. Nice flight to London first class. I have done it often enough. Sure makes for a good sleep and nice food, eh? LOL Dig your videos.

[@ernieb3626]

Otis, what a great story and what a great storyteller you are. I hope we get to meet someday and I can see you perform. Much love back to you

[@yinoveryang4246]

Yes, this is an object-lesson in how to tell a good story.

[@backdoorarts5243]

I spent most of 2002-2011 as a contractor, flying somewhere on Monday morning and flying home Thursday night. I don't know that the comment section is long enough for mine, which include a gate agent in Seattle telling me (someone boarding first with Platinum status because of all the flying) that the suitcase I'd been traveling with for 7 years would not fit into the overhead bin after my flight was delayed 3 hours meaning I'd arrive in Newark after hours so it would take 40-60 minutes for my bag to show up (the guy behind me told me I needed to mellow a bit if I didn't want to meet the sky marshall), only to have someone board and sit next to me with not one but 3 HUGE oscilloscopes that he tried to fit under the seats. Then there was a time that my flight out of Denver was delayed 50 minutes on the runway because they overloaded it with mail, so we had to go back to the terminal, which was OK because I gave myself enough time in Cincinnati to have dinner so I should make it, but it would be close, only to have the bus driver between terminals there stop to let a plane out even though they were waving her on and I missed my connection home because they decided to close the plane early so they could get credit for an early departure. There's more from there. Suffice it to say my pressure cooker squeals at a much lower temperature than yours.

[@otisgibbs]

Haha! : )

[@glennjustice2760]

You are a very patient person.....admirable.

[@andy_travis]

Darn good yarn, Otis! All the stages of grief are contained in this tale!

[@prieten49]

I admire your calm and your refusal to go ballistic. So many people seem to have extremely short fuses these days. The worst that has happened to me was a United flight that kept taxiing from the gate to the runway and back for three hours in SFO and when I finally arrived in Tokyo, I had missed my connecting flight to a smaller city on Hokkaido. I followed all the instructions of a ground staff who told me to wait with my luggage and said she would come back to me. She never did. I finally went to the counter and they told me there were no seats to my city for the next three days! Staying at their dormitory style hotel got old very fast. When I went to the airport as instructed on the fourth day, they tried to talk me out of my seat. Didn't work.

[@craigswensen434]

I could listen to you tell stories, all day long.

[@GaryStockton]

What a great story Otis. Glad it worked out in the end.

[@lyfandeth]

Kudos, Otis. For not blowing up, and your great luck on the check.

[@msalty2823]

first class story. I got stressed out listening to you retell how the clock kept on ticking closer to your gig and being in airport purgatory. Never heard of anyone getting a check from an airline so good on you for getting some money for your troubles and making it to the gig.

[@gmamagillmore4812]

Be careful taking the cash, Airport security in Michigan has been known to tell police that a customer is carrying cash and it could be drug money, so they might want to come confidante it.

[@Trekker167]

Man, I admire how much self control and wisdom you exhibited when you went thru this nightmare. I hope I behave as admirably as you did if as I encounter such stress in life.

[@romelovesdan]

A great story - Yes many say you could have gotten more, but if all worked out and most important, you did not project your stress on others around who do not need to hear rants and raves in already crappy travel situations....Blessing to you sir!

[@m.miller-luxuryouterwear6716]

Wow. You are an amazingly patient and lovely human.

[@raysmusic49]

Patience pays off! I’ve experienced that…i just kept calm and it turned out ok.

[@timambrey5689]

Gotta understand that nothing is guaranteed in the flight/ airlines game. Everything is a one off, and fully dependent on whatever relationship you can engender in a calm yet purposeful way to get done what needs to be done. Good job man.

[@SrFelouniusMonk]

Good things happen to good people. Great story Otis.

[@ruthokelley5833]

Great story! I am so glad that you were able to keep you composure and not be bummed out for your performance! 👍

[@georgeescaped6035]

You are a good man thank you for your patience and kindness

[@hball6695]

great story! Your composure in the face of all the screwups was exemplary. The moral of the story (to my mind, anyhow): the person behind that ticket counter is NOT the one who caused the problem, they're the one who might be able to fix the problem, as you said. Something to keep in mind...

[@nooneislistening]

Love your stories and your approach to life and its situations. Inspirational stuff.

[@juanito714ok]

You'll never regret remaining gracious especially when it's most difficult.

[@richardking6969]

Love your stories - and this is a great one! Flying an artist from near you to Austin using my unused air miles for a couple of house/listening room concerts. Mr. Harrell, I hope you have none of those problems.

[@g2guns562]

Wow Otis Gibbs, that is a story with about a endless with all you went through Awesome as always thank goodness you have a laid-back personality. Thank goodness it turned out as good as it did 🙌

[@Semiosphereconsulting]

My ONE time in first class was preceded by a similar story. Woman at the gate took pity on me and put me in First Class from Prague to Kennedy.

[@johnypitman2368]

It seems your calm reaction to what was a clear fubar payed off in the end. thanks for sharing the story

[@keithsandulak2292]

They obviously heard your 'The Darker Side Of Me'... A great life lesson. You are as cool as right out of the fridge in the everyday as you are on your podcasts. Love every one of your stories.....

[@jettubby17]

Otis as an airline captain I'm always saddened when I hear things like this happen to good people. Even though it's not purposeful, sometimes this is life. I pretty much know who took your seat and will leave it at that (wink wink). Because of your high vibration and kindness, it worked out like it did. My hat is off to you for being a gentleman when life happens. A true example to all. Thanks for sharing the story brother👍🙂

[@jim.h]

What do you mean, "it's not purposeful?" The airline sold more seats than they had on the plane, and they knew it. They do it because of greed. They know some people just don't show up, then they can keep the $$$!!!

[@andy347]

Unusual to have a happy ending to an airline story like this!

[@duncansalmon5718]

That was a great story, and I suspect that your attitude was the reason it ended the way it did. Kudos to you for not losing your cool!

[@johnchlanda5772]

Wow. Very encouraging story. Gives me hope in humanity. 💕

[@mauricehall4023]

you are a wonderful human being Otis Gibbs

[@KeefsCattys]

A traumatic but ultimately wonderful story , well told .. It had me sweating with anxiety

[@CCaraway]

We can all probably learn a lot from this story. Kindness and respect are always free to give and priceless when repayed to you if by karma or currency and first class seating.

[@mikemetague7973]

Nice guys finish first class!

[@bertroost1675]

Keeping that ego in check is the key.

[@capt.alcummins3364]

You..are a much more patient man than I..BUT..hell just listening to you speak calms me..and entertains me..I am quite hard to entertain as you will likely understand...Much love back brother thanks.

[@christopherstapleton2934]

So glad it finally worked out for you...good story!

[@Orchardman53]

I had a job with a global bank and flew internationally 2-3 times a week. One thing I learned was to carry a good book to sit and read when things went wrong with travel arrangements. I also learned to never get angry, but to see things from the check-in staff's point of view. If you've been bumped, they know it is annoying. I flew business class, and altering flights was easy when needed, but I did get unrequested upgrades after booking issues.

[@catheryndenton1766]

God that's awful..... I could write a series of essays about bad travel experiences but I won't. Slept in airports, flown in 4 seater Beechcraft through lightning storms, lost luggage that took weeks to get to me. You get better at handling the impossible with practice but you are so right. It's really stressful.

[@michaelm.4290]

Mr. Gibbs... gotta say man you are a truly gifted storyteller. I wish my brother, Kevin McCollough, had your ability to blend tangents with brevity. For that matter he freely admits that he wishes he had that natural ability too :)

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Otis

[@edsedlak6827]

Great story about a terrible experience. I am not sure if I would have been as patient as you were. The world needs more people like you. How is it that they can sell the same seat twice anyway? Seems like something that could happen in the 60's.

[@michaelsoucy7618]

Another great lesson .when you say I'm not that guy i always feel like I am. You are a nice man and nice goes a long way.

[@gtt2806]

The darker side of me is tight , I appreciate Seeing you got a flight! And everything all works

[@paulhendershott667]

You're truly a patient man . Going ballistic would be most people's response in a situation like that, but it rarely helps and ends up further ruining your own day. It's awesome that it all worked out! I think Zig Ziggler said that we always have the "choice" about how we're going to "choose to feel" each day. Bad things start to happen? Choose to be hopeful and optimistic!

[@charlieroth4207]

you were wise to keep cool with it all. I have had a few mishaps like that happen. always good to maintain.. good story

[@jamessickmore236]

Nice to hear it had a happy ending you went through a lot.

[@kevinmorris4517]

Great story, and great example of character under stress.

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

Great story 🤣 I’m glad you got the cheque cashed straight away 🤘

[@thomasbabcock5174]

Much respect Otis, you are a class act sir..glad you got to play the festival. You gained a new fan.

[@jswjanjan]

Excellent travel tale Otis - you stayed polite under tremendous stress and ended up in first class with a full refund!👍🥂👑⚘️💫

[@austinskaleckimusic]

Otis the coolest guy ever to handling it that way. Super eye opening and inspiring. Be nice!

[@JungleJargon]

The best thing is to be patient in those circumstances. They know how hard it is to wait around all day because it happens to us too. Yes I spent many days and nights waiting for a flight.