Very cool Van Halen experience on the way to Austin

[Dr5115]

Like most Linkers, I've been a Van Halen for a very long time. Every once in awhile the stars line up and things just fall into place. Call it luck, fate, karma, I certainly don't know, I'm just glad the cards fell the way they did.

I live in the Atlanta area and fly for a large airline that is based there. Some of my old college pals and I have been trying to get together for a couple of years. The last time our group had been together was about 16 years ago. The pieces finally fell into place this last weekend. We met in Austin and planned the weekend around the Van Halen concert.


The arrival time of the flight that I wanted to take to Austin didn't work for my friend Joe who was going to pick me up at the airport. No problem, I'll just take the next flight. I show up at the airport for the flight to Austin and directly across from the gate I see a McDonalds that blatantly ripped off Eddie Van Halen's design that he used on many of his famous guitars.





The flight was full so I had to ride on the jumpseat in the cockpit. That's just an additional seat in the cockpit of the plane that is available for pilots and qualified observers. After reaching cruise altitude the flight attendant calls the pilots and says that she's passing up a note. This usually means that they have some type of maintenance item that they want us to pass along to the company. I reached back read the note and said "Holy shit". With a concerned look on his face the Captain turned around and grabbed the note. After reading it he replies "Holy shit". The other pilot at this point is wondering what's going on. We then inform him that Eddie and his brother Alex Van Halen are on our airplane. I was suddenly appreciating the fact that I didn't take that earlier flight.



I was the first one off of the airplane and as I was approaching the end of the jet bridge I turned around and Eddie was behind me. I then told him that I flew out to Austin to see the show the next night and oh by the way, I hate to ask, but what the hell. "Would you mind if I get a picture with you?" He said sure, stopped and I took probably the second selfie of my life. I turn around and there is Alex Van Halen. I must of had a goofy look on my face because he broke out into a huge grin and offered his hand. Alex was very friendly and talked to me for a minute as we walked out of the airport.




The show was amazing, one of the best VH shows that I have ever seen. Van Halen only has a couple of dates left on the current tour, one of which is tonight in Dallas. If anyone can make the upcoming Dallas or Houston shows, I highly recommend going.

[thismusicsux]

wow great story

[AsIs]

Very cool story! Wonder if he called his lawyers after passing the McDonalds!

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

That is awesome!

[Brett]

That's awesome!

[Ted Van Halen]

That is cool.

[Greenpaw]

That's fuckin awesome!

Although when I saw a note to the pilot that's flying a plane I'm on that starts off "HOLY SHIT......." I'd probably have a heart attack before I got to the part about Ed and Al being on the plane lol

[Hack]

that is unbelievable !! you accomplished something that i've wanted to do for 32 years. awesome.

[Get The Show On The Road]

The McDonald's rip-off was a sign.

And people say that God doesn't speak to us...

[Uncle C]

That's one of the coolest VH anecdotes I've read.

And a great pic. It amazes me sometimes after reading some of the bad stuff how gracious and appreciative Ed and Al are toward their fans.

I'm absolutely thrilled for you.

[Jedi McFly]

Dude that is so awesome! Good for you.

So this happened on September 20th, correct? I just happened to be in that airport on September 20th for a layover, passed that same McDonald's too. I knew the boys were leaving Atlanta, so I kept my eyes peeled the entire time, hoping I'd spot them during my 20 minute layover. I had no such luck, but I'm glad you did!

[Daisy Hill]

Holy shit!

[MF5150]

Awesome story


I have a question though.....Well here goes......THEY LET FUCKIN PASSENGERS SIT IN THE FUCKING COCKPIT WHEN THE PLANE IS FULL?!?!?!?!??


WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN???

[wrr20891]

Awesome story


I have a question though.....Well here goes......THEY LET FUCKIN PASSENGERS SIT IN THE FUCKING COCKPIT WHEN THE PLANE IS FULL?!?!?!?!??


WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN???

They don't.
If you read it again, he's an airline pilot. They have let deadheading pilots ride in the cockpit jump seat probably since DC-3's showed up.

[Raldo]

What a great story!! Hope you played the lottery too.