Tempered by timidity, a man missed his chance to connect with the woman seated in front of him on a United Airlines flight. After spending the flight chatting, he failed to ask for her number. Now he has asked for all of our help in finding her.
Missed Connection Sparks Search After United Flight Chat
A man turned to reddit to ask for help contacting a woman who sat in front of him on a United flight from IAD to EWR.
Late flight from Washington DC (Dulles) to Newark last night (5/21).
You were a woman returning from a work trip in DC. Said you always had bad luck on planes and that was why our flight was delayed. You had long hair and glasses.
You were sitting in the row in front of me, and we talked for a decent portion of the flight. Parted ways in the terminal.
You were alone in the terminal and I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, so I didn’t ask for your number. Regretting I didn’t ask sooner.
We exchanged names and shared other details on the flight. Message me with some details so I know it’s you. I can share more too.
Long shot, but I hope this works.
Pal, when you have your chance…you take it.
The reddit community can be on the spectrum of helpful to mildly annoying to sycophantic, but I think the responses were mostly measured and reasonable here.
When asked what her MileagePlus status was, the man replied stunning.
I read the United forum on reddit a lot and see a lot of made-up stories. I suppose this could be one too, but something about it strikes me as genuine. I would think (hope) that he started on social media before posting on reddit.
Genuine unlike this thread that appeared a few hours later…
I just can’t believe how people act on planes these days. I’m on a late flight into Newark (delayed, obviously) after being in DC for work, trying to close my eyes for the short flight so I don’t fall asleep on my drive home.
All of the sudden, the guy next to me starts having a full-on conversation with this lady in the row in front of us. The whole plane can hear them talking, at one point the guy even stand up and leans over the row in front to be closer as they talk, absolutely crushing me into my armrest.
It’s not even like they were old friends reconnecting. It was just random stuff, like a robbery in Deleware (???).
Flight finally ends and the dude just silently stares her down in the terminal while she walks away. People really have forgotten how to act in public these days.
Okay, that gave me a chuckle…and may well have been the reaction of someone onboard.
I’m so far out of the dating game that I shudder to think of ever going back to it, but you have to exchange more than your first name…at least get a social media handle or email address. I’m sure it can be awkward to ask for a phone number, but if you hit it off talking the entire flight…then why not?
So to the guy…next time think quicker on your feet and note that rejection is better than wondering for the rest of your life what might have been.
“Of all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been’.”
Matt, unfortunately we live in a world where it is considered to be intrusive if a man is forthright with a woman for whom he has interest. I’m from the time when women applauded men for being direct and honest if they were interested. I’ve personally observed that women only appreciate directness if they’re interested; if they’re not interested in the guy, they accuse him of being a creep (just for liking them). That’s why we see situations of regret like in your article.
Let us know if you hear if they connect. The above poster is partially correct. I traveled domestically for my career for 20+ years and sat on two boards on the east coast as I also live in West Los Angeles. Interactions changed dramatically over that period and I am a person who loves to talk with fellow travelers.
What era was this, the 1930s?
Women only consider intrusive and creepy if the man keeps persisting even after she tells him she isn’t interested.
Also what article were you reading? The regret was from not getting a phone number or social media account for him to contact her at a later date.
Sorry that reply was meant for David McCray.
Correct Aaron, the gentleman in the article wanted to get the woman’s information in the moment. However, he felt trepidation because he didn’t want to come off as weird. And that goes back to the statement I made. I live in a conservative part of the U.S where these types of situations have become a constant topic of discussion. Conversely, female flight attendants have let me know (in no uncertain terms) that they were interested. I had NO problem with that. Using Craigslist, Reddit or any similar device for a “missed connections” is partially a product of modern-day sensitivities.
We all know you’re not into women Aaron.
I never said I was, you fool.
My boy needs to go home and practice a little more. He’s not ready for the big leagues. One day. One day.
Old school approach is more welcome in these situations. This is where you have a printed business card with contact information. Thank her for the conversation and convey your interest to continue at another time. There isn’t immediate pressure to decide to go forward or even respond. She has a physical reminder to reflect upon your conversation and if she has an interest. No one is in an awkward position. Be patient.
I had a similar story from my early 20s. Very attractive woman ends up taking the seat next to me on a flight home to DFW. She initiates the conversation, and we end up chatting on and off the rest of the flight. Of course, me being a dumba$$, and a pusillanimous pussyfooter to boot, I didn’t ask for her number. Well, life ended up turning out pretty good in the end anyway. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
(Of course, seeing as I still vividly remember that missed opportunity 25 years later, the moral of the story is, don’t be an idiot like me…)