Today, I got to fulfill a dream I have had since I saw Top Gun.

I got to sit down in the captain’s seat of the plane. One of the pilots walked me through all of the dials, and showed me the crazy screen you watch when you are landing “by hand.”

He said, piloting a jet really isn’t as complicated as it seems. But with having to log at least 3,000 flight hours before you can even think about maybe applying for the gig, I think he was being modest.

The captain told me if I focus up, I could be a pilot in 10-years. Yeah, and if I put my mind to it I could be President.

Thanks to the pilots and entire crew of the Southwest flight from Houston to New Orleans for making me turn into a 12-year old again!

–GS

We made it to Houston, and today went well, but let’s get down to brass tacks. Running around in a Santa suit from plane to plane is a sweaty business.

I feel like a high school wrestler who’s trying to “make weight.” Also, on the last flight of the night I sat in the front row on Southwest and there was no tray table. Not even one that folded out of the arm rest or anything. On top of that, these bags are heavy.

I mean, they would be heavy even for someone who wasn’t surprisingly weak such as myself. Oh, and there’s a party going on in the room next to me …

Grumpy Santa is beloved!

See people in the terminal call cheery greetings to him! See Santa respond!

Then see a pan-handler get in on the act: he hands Santa a sign reading, “Will Work for Peanuts”.

Well, after all the flights he’s taken, Santa should have plenty of peanut packs to give away!

Keep visiting this site…more video is on the way.

The second leg of our trip took us back to Texas. We’re in Houston for an hour or two, and we will be back to Houston tonight. That famous Houston humidity is some how leaking into the airport, but other than that, everything is going well. Had a great time on the flight in from Little Rock.

The Southwest Airlines crew couldn’t have been better. I got to hand out peanuts, they gave me souvenirs, and gave us a pep talk about taking multiple flights in a single day (they often do 7, so they feel our pain).

They did, however, demand that Grumpy Santa fatten up, so airline pillows were put to use. (note: you do not want to use those pillows — click more for very raw video — cutting it tonight –)

Is Grumpy Santa actually smiling?Yes, indeed! He’s playing “little helper” to Southwest Flight attendants, by handing out souvenir coloring books.

Unfortunately, as you’ll see, there weren’t too many kiddies on this flight, but several adults were happy to snatch these up!

Stayed tuned…more video is on its way!

The FareCompare Grumpy Santa tour is off and running. I had to say goodbye to a trusted friend before we even left on our first flight. My good old Santa boots weren’t up for the trek.

They fit, but they had sprained ankle written all over them, and they left weird black marks on my socks, so Grumpy Santa has donned his old school Reeboks for the duration.

We made our first flight from Dallas to Little Rock, AK Arkansas. Little Rock is currently shrouded in fog, and that made for a very interesting/slightly terrifying landing. Looks like the fog is going to clear, so we should be able to head back to Texas and land in Houston before heading out to Jackson, Mississippi.