JetBlue Love: No Recline & Unexpected Prison Break

This afternoon marked my inaugural flight with JetBlue - a quick hop from Buffalo, NY, to Boston. Having flown most airlines in the country, I was neither excited nor wary. I had even left my seat choice to chance.

I thought I scored when I looked at the boarding pass which read I had a window seat in the 11th row. Sweet, right? Not so fast. Moments before we took off I read the message in front of me.

The blow was lessened by the fact that someone famous was on board. William Fitchner was in the first row. I kid you not.

Fitchner is known for his roles in The Dark Night, 2008, Armageddon, 1998, and of course one of my favorite television series of all time, Prison Break, 2005-2009 (with a resurgence season that ended this May, of which Fitchner was a part of).

As seen in an episode of Prison Break:

I first caught a glimpse of the actor in the TSA pre-check line a few people behind me. I couldn’t believe it. He looked exactly as he would as if he were playing a role. Let me tell you, this guy does not look his age. If I were a betting man, I’d say he was gearing up to compete in American Ninja Warrior. His arms were ripped.

I digress. He disappeared within the airport moments after the security check. He reemerged at my gate seconds before boarding where he talked with a couple of pilots. Not one person approached him, but people definitely recognized him - there was a buzz of whispers through the terminal and on the plane.

I didn’t sneak a photo of him (so, my wife probably won’t believe this story) because I felt it inappropriate. His distance from the rest of us waiting to get on the plane said he appreciated his personal space. Besides, if I’m not wearing my press pass and am clearly identifiable as a photojournalist I tend to not photograph people without consent unless it’s in a very public place - an airport gate is not one of those places.

In conclusion, I won’t hesitate to book a flight with JetBlue again. However, I will check my seat assignment and possibly bring my press pass and something less creepy than a cell phone camera.

So, does anyone know what Fitchner would be up to in Boston?