STORY

Airplane Balance Upgrade

  • Airplane Balance Upgrade

  • A short Travel anecdote about receiving a first-class upgrade for weight and balance reasons.
  • The Flight

    • I was on a morning flight on a Boeing 737 that was almost completely empty, with only about a dozen passengers.
    • I was seated in the bulkhead coach row (Row 6).
    • A few minutes after boarding, the flight attendant approached me and offered a complimentary upgrade to first class.
    • When I asked why, she explained that the plane's weight and balance needed to be adjusted.
    • Being a pilot with 270 hours of experience, I understood the math immediately, but joked: "You mean you think I weigh THAT much?"
    • We both laughed, and I happily accepted the upgrade to the spacious first-class seat.
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.