Saturday was quite a day, with four flights in order to attend a memorial service in Nashville. Let me recount the day with thankfulness for all that transpired, including the flights but especially the quality time with my wife and the honoring of a profoundly brave woman.
A Somber Trip To Nashville
My wife Heidi and I met in Frankfurt, Germany. We were next-door neighbors. One of Heidi’s roommates was named Julia and she also married an American.
Julia and her husband lived in Israel for a time but eventually settled in Lebanon, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. There, they raised their four children. It was also there that Julia felt a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Sadly, treatments were not effective and over a three-year period, the cancer spread all over her body. At the age of 35, Julia lost her battle to cancer and was ushered into the next chapter of life. She is survived by her husband Dan and four children, between the ages of two and 10.
She died on Sunday and on Wednesday it was announced her memorial service would be held on Saturday. Despite the short notice, Heidi and I determined it was important that we attend the service.
Heidi was working a 12-hour shift at her hospital on Friday and I had work meetings plus the kids…we were both exhausted and it would be a very quick trip.
Looking at flight options from Los Angeles to Nashville left very few attractive options. I thought about just booking the Spirit Airlines nonstop redeye and then getting a hotel for a few hours before the funeral…that would have been the most cost-effective option.
But the timing was not great…it left a little too early for us to comfortably make it after Heidi’s shift.
Delta had a redeye but it was $400 in economy class or $700 in first class and did not have lie-flat seats.
Ultimately, I booked us on United via Chicago because I could get a 777-200 from LA to Chicago and we’d at least get a lie-flat bed to sleep on. The flight left at 11:59 pm so we would not feel rushed at home and we’d still make it to Nashville–if flights were on time–with a couple hours to spare.
We got to LAX around 11:00 pm and parked in short-term parking…we’d be back in 24 hours.
Our flight was delayed a little bit, but we left shortly after midnight. It was a “ghetto” (high-density) 777 with eight seats across in business class. Heidi and I were in 1A and 1B and could look across the aisle at the four people in the center section starting right at us!
I like to review flights comprehensively and that includes reviewing the in-flight meal, but Heidi and I reclined the seats immediately after takeoff and within moments were asleep. It was a wise choice to book this flight and the 3.5 hours of sleep we got was solid and helped us tremendously through the day ahead.
We landed on-time in O’Hare and had about an hour before our connection. We walked over to the American Airlines Admirals Club and had a cup of coffee.
Side note: we were flying on United from Chicago to Nashville, but flying later in the day on American Airlines from Nashville to Los Angeles via Charlotte. As a oneworld Emerald member (via British Airways) traveling “same day” on a oneworld flight, I had access to the Admirals Club in ORD even though we were not flying from Chicago on a oneworld carrier.
Our flight to Nashville, operated by SkyWest on behalf of United Express, departed on time and I had a second cup of coffee…this time illy iced coffee (not bad at all).
We landed in Nashville and proceeded to the Admirals Club to change clothes for the memorial service.
We then proceeded to the rental car lot where our Avis rental car was waiting for us.
The memorial service and the burial were poignant and yet deeply cathartic. Dan delivered a stirring address about his wife and the sobering focus on the fact that everyone is inching closer to death was greatly appreciated (as was the message that Jesus Christ secured victory over death).
I was so thankful we were there. Julia’s mother was present from Germany with a friend, but no other Germans. Yet there was Heidi, a familiar face and a familiar language. It meant so much that my wife was there and I was so thankful to give Dan and his four beautiful children hugs and let them know that we loved them.
By 3:15 pm we were on our way back to the airport for our 5:00 pm flight. I filled up the car…at only $2.99/gallon (much cheaper than Los Angeles!)
After dropping off the car and proceeding through security, we stopped by the Admirals Club again and enjoyed some pulled pork and guacamole.
We then stepped onboard our flight to Charlotte, operated by Envoy, and took off around the time former President Trump was shot.
In Charlotte, we had only 45 minutes to walk from the far end of the E gates to the A gates for our connection to Los Angeles.
Our American Airlines flight to Los Angeles was operated by an A321neo. A lie-flat seat would have been lovely, but we enjoyed dinner (the food on American Airlines truly is miles ahead of the food on United Airlines) and slept until we reached LA.
Less than 24 hours later, we were back in Los Angeles after four flights and a very moving memorial service. We drove to my parent’s house, picked up the kids, and then crashed into bed.
I’m thankful that our United and American flights were (mostly) on time and for the ability to travel to Nashville at the last minute.
We seriously debated whether to go or not, but are so glad we did. If you are faced with a similar choice, go. Go. Go. Your presence means so much to the family of the deceased.
that sounds so exhausting but worthwhile, to your point.
Half price gas! Be like Canadians and fill containers of gas in the US.
Really, don’t. Very dangerous.
I’m glad you made it to Lebanon for the service.
Don’t throw red meat to the lions. You know gas isn’t $6 in LA. I paid $4.65 right in front of BUR last week, and saw gas as low as $4.29 not far away. 50% more, sure… But not double!
That’s fair enough. I was thinking about the gas station in front of Cedar Sinai which was over $6.
@Matthew … If you drive west on Burton Way over to Little Santa Monica , there is a station on the corner of Beverly Dr. which is over $6 . And significantly over by hundreds if you are photographed by the red light camera there .,
We are very sorry for your loss . A memorial with family and friends means a great deal for everyone .
[ side note : You are likely aware , being an Air Force veteran yourself , that an Airman First Class received the Medal of Honor for throwing a lighted flare out of an AC-47 , while in flight . He saved the entire crew . His name was John Lee Levitow , and he is sadly deceased . ]
Glad you and Heidi were able to arrange and go. Such an important tribute.
I for some reason love the BNA Admirals Club. Feels classic AA in a good way. I love the board of frequent flyer photos and the big AA F-100 model. It’s just generally pleasant.
Yes indeed! I took pictures of both and will publish a full review eventually.
I too like the BNA Admiral’s club- BNA is my home base, and I don’t think I have ever admitted to liking that lounge on any travel forum because I just figured it was the home-field advantage and nostalgia making me see it through rose colored glasses.
I’m sorry to hear your loss but glad that every flight worked out without any delays.
Damn, sorry for that. Cancer effing sucks, most especially breast cancer, where you can just be screwed, just because.
That’s a tragedy. Terribly sorry for her family’s and friends’ loss.
It appears your flight went relatively smoothly so at least you didn’t have layered on stress.
I often ponder at the fragility of life. Who would think you could get cancer and pass away at only 35? When I was younger, I used to think of cancer as an old person disease that I didn’t have to worry about, but being almost 40 now, I can see that it or any other disease could cut my life short at almost anytime, Jesus or not.
It makes you really consider the need to make the best use of our very limited time.
@Chi … +1 . Fate or Luck play a part . As someone with a myriad of ailments , it could be worse .
[ side note : an Air Force Airman First Class received the Medal of Honor for throwing a lighted flare out of a AC-47 , thus saving the crew . His name was John Lee Levitow , and he passed from cancer .]
Thank you for this article on love for friends and making the effort to be there for others during their dark days. I enjoy reading your postings and am happy to read that you are a Believer in Jesus. Thank you also for faithful witness to your Readers. 1st Peter 3:15.
@Cam … +1 .
My condolences to you, your family and your friends Matthew. This is a very tragic story and another reminder of the things that are truly important in life.
Matthew: you and Heidi are amazing and the type of friends anyone would love to have around. So sorry for what happened to your friend and hope God gives strength to this young father to raise 4 young kids.
Matthew, my condolences on the loss of your friend. But at some future point, I encourage you and Heidi (and maybe with the kids) to return to Nashville and get away from the city. I recommend toward the southeast on the 24 toward Chattanooga. Boutique distilleries (if that is your thing), natural wonders like the view from Lookout Mountain, history as in the Beechcraft Museum in Tullahoma. You would not be disappointed. Also, the food is great and people very friendly.
Thanks for the tips!
The American food looks awful
It was a lot better than what I’m used to on UA…
A sad tale but it’s great that you could make it.
I’m not sure given the tone if this is appropriate but since you mentioned it I guess it’s okay: I thought United had done away with all of the high density 777’s.
There’s still quite a few of them running domestically, including on hub-to-hub routes and to Hawaii.
I’m a “commuter” on UA EWR-HNL 4-5 times per year. They have eliminated the nonstop until the fall, and many of the one stop routes fly the 777-200 with the 2-4-2 seating up front. I’ve never liked this cabin configuration as there’s no storage, and as you pointed up for the backwards facing seats you’re looking back into adjacent seating, no privacy compared with 1-2-1 or 2-1-2 on other planes. Still better than back of the bus for sure, but not what I’m looking for.
A Continental legacy FA told me that although few people like this cabin, UA is going to keep using it on “leisure market” routes until the planes are retired. That’s very disappointing, but I guess they are using the better planes For business routes, I’m hoping the nonstops will return in the fall on 767 and 787 metal with better up
Front seating- whether they call it Polaris, semi-Polaris, business or first.
I find these seats are extremely comfortable, albeit narrow, but the lack of personal stroage space and strange config is annoying. Like you, I agree – better than nothing.
I’ve been told UA is going to pull these out and put non-lie-flat recliners in…I certainly hope not!
My condolences.
Julia was fortunate to have such good friends to support her family. God bless.
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. I wish you the best in finding peace.
Our condolences on the loss of your friend. You and Heidi are special friends indeed for making the effort to be there.
I do have to ask, though – wouldn’t it have been easier to connect through DFW on your way back to LAX, rather than backtracking through CLT?
After paying cash for the outbound, I was happy to redeem 19.5K miles each for the return in first class. Going via PHX or DFW would certainly have been easier, but was a lot pricier. I’m finding pretty darn good domestic pricing with AAdvantage.
It is really good that you went to the funeral. I hope that you two are rested and back to “normal”. I always wonder though, why airlines serve food that looks like mush. It doesn’t present well and photos make it look worse. I hope you and family have a good week!
Condolences on the passing of your friend.
What are your thoughts on Nashville’s new terminals and airport in general it is my closest airport?