as you recognize, one does foolish things in one’s yout. The funny thing is: besides sleeping in the airport, flying back and forth between SJC and ONT all day was more fun than the boring retreat I was supposed to be at.

An historical note: back then SJC was one terminal (the present terminal C), with maybe half a dozen non-jet bridge gates. Now they have squeezed 4 terminals (one under construction) into that small space. The place has become such a mess, I switched to SFO as my prefered airport.

Until I read your comments though Demo, I was considering using the words “nuts” and “mentally lacking” with regards to your flight plans

But I can see the interest in giving it a go. Bet you wish you’d have just hired a taxi after all that though. Too bad there weren’t any frequent flier miles in those days, you’d probably have qualified for elite status and a free roundtrip based on segments alone…

I for one believe your story…too much “craziness” to make up and for what, “Flight from Hell Glory”? I was just shocked at the fact that someone would take a plane flight for a 51 mile trip. Overall it may have been easier “back then”, but now a-days you’d spend 80% more time waiting at the airport than actaully flying (on the actual point to point part).

..and yet, that is exactly what happened. Believe it or not – it’s your right.

i have also flown extensively and seen (and heard) many things, but from your story that is completely crazy and no airline at anytime would do that

and yeah i know airline tickets were expensive back than (inflation included) and unless the majority of people were going to Monteray than they wouldnt have turned the plane around, and what about where the planes final destination? wouldnt they need that plane for the next flight?

bad editing on the fly…

“…..there were, in fact, rental cars etc.”

As for David – all due respect, but I don’t write false stories here. I’ve gained a little more flying experience since 40 years ago – have 1.5 million miles just on one airline – estimate that I’m pushing 2 million on all airlines I’ve flown. I’m not saying this to brag – there are lots of people who travel more than I, but when you fly that much, you tend to have things happen to you that are out of the usual. Almost all of the flights I’ve taken had nothing remarkable happen at all. But I have a dozen or so unusual true stories that happened to me while I was flying. If you don’t want to read them, don’t. I think that about two-thirds of them have been posted, so you won’t have Demotage to kick around much longer .

Many years ago? Before the invention of rental cars or other forms of ground transportation?