I was a PFC, Stationed at Ft. Dix in Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for Radio Operator, MOS 05B20. I was first in my class to get thru Morse Code training & had just taken the final. I figured I'd catch a bus up to New York & fly home for the weekend. A buddy of mine, who also lived in the Capital District (NY) & had an old VW Bug at Dix, was in AIT with me, said, "Why don't you head over to the EM Club & have a couple of beers? When I'm done around 1600, you can catch a ride with me & save the airfare." I waffled for a bit & since a PFC in 1972 made about $300 a MONTH, I agreed. Drank for about 3 hours & he came & got me & off we went on a 220 mile ride home. I was feeling little pain & promptly fell asleep. Woke up coming into Albany & he said, "You'd better call your Mom. That Mohawk Airlines flight you were gonna take crashed in Albany. There were fatalities." I had told my Mom I'd be on that flight & never called with the change of plans. By the time I got ahold of her she was a mess, but needless to say, quite relieved. 16 of the 45 passengers died in that crash. Every year, when the local news commentators bring it up, I wonder if I would have been in one of the "lucky" seats...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohawk_Airlines_Flight_405
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohawk_Airlines_Flight_405
