This is a very short but very true story that occurred as my wife and I were preparing to leave for Vegas for our two-week vacation. She managed to find seats on the first non-stop flight, but not over the wings. I really appreciate it because the emergency exit rows were a little wider, so they provide me with ample legroom. Seated in the row I wanted was an elderly couple, they smiled at me and I smiled back.

Before our aircraft taxied to its departure runway, the flight attendant spoke to the elderly male seated in the exit row. He was informed that in the event of a water landing, he was expected to open the emergency exit door and assist the other passengers in disembarking.

The old man was honest and informed her that he was not physically able to open the door.

"How about that young man across the aisle," he said, pointing with his chin at me.

The flight attendant asked about my willingness to assist in the case of a water landing, and I replied that I was willing.

So we swapped rows with the elderly couple. It was shortly after the plane leveled off at its cruising altitude that the old man spoke to me.

"Now remember Sonny, that if the shit his the fan, don't forget who swapped seats with you," he said with a smile.

"If the shit hits the fan, " I replied. "I'll have that door open in less than 30 seconds. I'll grab my wife and bail. So I hope you're a good swimmer."

We laughed all the way to Vegas. Mostly because I made drowning sounds and gestures.