OT - what famous people have you seen in airports?

[GandBinNC]

1. My wife and I were sitting in JFK airport, waiting on our plane, on our way back from a NYC Thanksgiving trip in 2012. We were watching the Carolina v Clemson game (#4 in our 5 game streak) at a terminal bar when none other than Senator John McCain bolted past us from the adjacent gate like he was shot out of a cannon. He was moving purposely, intent on avoiding the unwashed.
2. I saw Bill Murray walk past in ATL a few years ago. I was in one of the terminals, waiting on a connection, on my work cell when he walked by. Short guy, hat pulled low, also moving fast.
3. Very distant third... I saw Bruce Pearl strolling by in the ATL this past Sunday.

 

[mewcats]

1. My wife and I were sitting in JFK airport, waiting on our plane, on our way back from a NYC Thanksgiving trip in 2012. We were watching the Carolina v Clemson game (#4 in our 5 game streak) at a terminal bar when none other than Senator John McCain bolted past us from the adjacent gate like he was shot out of a cannon. He was moving purposely, intent on avoiding the unwashed.
2. I saw Bill Murray walk past in ATL a few years ago. I was in one of the terminals, waiting on a connection, on my work cell when he walked by. Short guy, hat pulled low, also moving fast.
3. Very distant third... I saw Bruce Pearl strolling by in the ATL this past Sunday.

Many years ago I saw Ric Flair walking through the terminal at Charlotte Douglas. There was a chorus of "Woo" as he walked down the terminal.

 

[Garnetskies]

Oprah and Jim Valvano, RIP.

 

[sdjwm001]

I had just gotten married and was going down on an escalator in ATL on my way to catching the honeymoon flight, and we passed Evander Holyfield riding the up escalator just 2 feet away. I wanted to say "Real Deal!" and was close enough to fist pump him, but he had 2 bodyguards bigger than he was with him, and I didn't want to start the honeymoon with a broken arm.

 

[Garnetskies]

I had just gotten married and was going down on an escalator in ATL on my way to catching the honeymoon flight, and we passed Evander Holyfield riding the up escalator just 2 feet away. I wanted to say "Real Deal!" and was close enough to fist pump him, but he had 2 bodyguards bigger than he was with him, and I didn't want to start the honeymoon with a broken arm.

Lol good reasoning boss

 

[Horseshoe 04]

Edgar Hansen from Deadliest Catch
Marcus Spears & Maria Taylor (lovely tall lady)
Former Mayor of Charlotte
Pedro Martinez
Steve Smith (former Charlotte Panther)
Sterling Sharpe
several fort jackson basic training graduates
Aja Wilson
Duane Notice

 

[Gradstudent]

Saw Franco Harris on Friday in the Charlotte Airport. Dude looks really good for 69 years old, I can tell you that, got a quick pic the girl that took it was going my way and had no clue who he was, little did she know at the Pittsburgh airport their is 2 statues, 1 of George Washington and one of him.

Saw Matt Millen in Charlotte Airport before, before, but did not ask for a pic or say hello

See Darryl Strawberry several times at Charlotte Airport before but he always looks like he is a hurry or just walks fast since he is 6-6, never bothered him.

Used to see Ric Flair in Charlotte Airport a couple times about 10-15 years + ago, he would always stop and take pictures and do his yell and attract a crowd, seemed to be genuinely super personable with the fans and taking his time, pretty cool.

Sat across from Andre Dawson and his wife one year when they were coming back from the HOF weekend in Cooperstown on a flight to Miami. Andre was not to personable, but his wife was, I found out all about what they do up there for the week, she said dont mind him and we had fun talking.

Ive told this one before but was on a small plane from Dayton, like 7 pasengers on it, to Charlotte and a bearded Eddie Folgler was there, small plane, asked him if he was Coach, and he said is that a good thing or bad thing, of course I said a good thing, and he moved up and sat across from me, super nice guy and huge genuine South Carolina fan of all sports.

Sat across from George Rogers on a flight Columbia to DC he was going on to New York for the Heisman ceremony, George is always great with fans, the whole plane took pics with him it seemed, after we unloaded, very accommodating, the people waiting in the terminal for the next flight starting wanting pics with him seeing the commotion.

Saw TRob about day 3 of his job at South Carolina at the Columbia Airport, I was the only one that recognized him, but he was cool dude for sure. He still had a Auburn backpack that said TRob at that time that helped me know it was him that early.

Saw Herm Edwards sitting in DC waiting on a plane and no one knew who he was but me but i was tired and didn't feel like talking to him, and took a nap, but he seems like he would be a cool guy.

 

[Art__Vandelay]

I genuinely don't think I have ever seen a famous person in an airport or on a plane which is strange because I've flown a lot the past 4 yeas between having two jobs that require a decent amount of traveling and being in a long distance relationship for some of that period. And have lived in ATL which should be a hotbed for celebs/athletes/etc.

 

[Art__Vandelay]

This thread brings up an interesting question- at which level of celebrity/wealth do you stop flying commercial? I know not every celebrity or athlete can afford a jet, but I know a lot of them do NetJets or whatever it is.

I know you can do the above two some of the time, but I am sure it's tough to eliminate ever having to fly commercial, especially internationally.

 

[colacock#]

I saw Chris Fowler in the Columbia Airport...here for Gameday. And I saw Hoda Kotb in JFK.

 

[Contentment Blues]

Ric Flair several times
flights to and from Charleston with Bill Murray who sits in coach and helps people with bags
Pam Oliver was behind me at LaGuardia in TSA and got pissed they had to look through my disc golf bag
Geraldo Rivera and Kenny Smith in the Delta Lounge at LaGuardia
Fred Couple several times in Charlotte
Atlanta Dream basketball team with Michael Cooper
Jamie Lynn Siegler and Dykstra’s son sat by me from Atlanta To Charleston
Sat next to Elizabeth Dole
Sat next to Larry Gatlin
Best ever was seeing James Brown in Atlanta airport

 

[king ward]

I sat across from Lou Rawls on a flight from LAX to Vegas back in 1970. That very night, I saw him onstage at the old Tropicana in Vegas.

 

[QC Cock]

Ice-T

 

[midline]

Was on same flight with Charles Barkley from Atlanta to Phoenix a few years back.
Like many others, saw Ric Flair a couple times in Charlotte. As others have said, he took time with anyone that approached him.

 

[titaniumspur]

Herschel Walker in the Atlanta airport. He looks like he has hardly aged, he is in amazing shape. Charles Barkley in the Philadelphia airport. Charles had his hat pulled down trying to hide from everyone. It did not work.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Bill Murray is 6'2"...not exactly short.

 

[loriscock77]

I've seen Flair three times. 1. Once kicked his son out of a lazy river in Myrtle Beach (the son who sadly passed away) as a DHEC pool inspector. 2. Saw him about 8 years ago at a UNCG volleyball game; apparently his daughter played for APP state. 3. Saw him in the airport in ATL.

Saw a general in an airport (can't remember his name) who was a potential presidential candidate in 2008.

My best friend elbowed Danny Devito in the head on a flight from LA to Salt Lake. At that job, he always got to fly first or business class.

 

[Cackdiesel]

Herschel Walker in the Atlanta airport. He looks like he has hardly aged, he is in amazing shape. Charles Barkley in the Philadelphia airport. Charles had his hat pulled down trying to hide from everyone. It did not work.

I actually feel sorry for most basketball players in this regard. Given their size, there's not much most of them can do to hide while in public. Even with their money, I'm not sure I'd trade places with them. I'd think most other celebrities could hide fairly easily in an airport, but maybe not a plane.

 

[_NOVA_]

I didn't realize it until we got to baggage claim, but I was on the same flight as Dawn Staley. This was early in her tenure. It was a small flight and we were just a few people waiting for bags. She was on her phone, but I did acknowledge her and said something like good luck this season. I don't mean any of this to be derogatory to her, but she had some of the worst adult acne I've seen of someone who was out in public. As far as I'm concerned, it's a credit to her fortitude that she was out living her life, regardless of what was going on with her face. But I felt really bad for her.

I've also traveled to a lot of places where college coaches are going. I've seen a lot of them. Probably most interesting was sitting next to John Thompson III on a plane. During the course of about an hour of talking, he convinced me that being a college coach is a terrible, terrible job, because recruiting is so unpleasant. Wasn't surprised to see him fired shortly thereafter.

 

[mavcock]

I once drank some beers with William Perry at the Columbia airport when I was going to Vegas. At 10 am. He was wearing a tam o'shanter and was super friendly.

I saw Matt Damon and his wife at the airport in Aspen. I was looking at his wife's behind and he caught me and for a split second I though "I'm getting in a fight with Matt Damon" but he just smiled.

I saw Olden Polynice at the Salt Lake City airport. Because it's hard not to notice a seven foot Haitian in Utah.

 

[GCDC1959]

Emmitt Smith at Atlanta airport, bunch of foreign Olympic athletes there during 1996 Olympics.

George Rogers at the Quincy’s used to be on Piney Grove, Ice Machine near Kennelly, ole Limelight club near St. Andrews...the best.

 

[SCexpat38]

I saw Lou Holtz in Charlotte on his way to recruit Tony Rice back when Lou was at ND.

 

[psmith5532]

When I lived in Tampa in the 90s I would see Hulk Hogan all the time. I flew out weekly for work back then and he must have too as well.
I sat across the isle from Spurrier flying to Birmingham. That's when we had Brad Scott...we spoke briefly and told him I was a SC fan. He said Brad would do well here, LOL.

 

[WorldTraveler]

This thread brings up an interesting question- at which level of celebrity/wealth do you stop flying commercial? I know not every celebrity or athlete can afford a jet, but I know a lot of them do NetJets or whatever it is.

I know you can do the above two some of the time, but I am sure it's tough to eliminate ever having to fly commercial, especially internationally.

Art, it has been over ten years since I have been in an airport, but I would guess that the rich and famous use commercial flights rarely.

Back in the olden days, and sometimes flying the Paris New York Concorde flight I shared the flight with Ted Turner on two occasions, Ray Bradbury on one, and Barbara Walters on another. And Tim Conway also.

Once shared the first class section of a late night PanAm flight New York - London with Peter Graves and his wife/girlfriend (didn't know of course, but she was quite attractive).

 

[northGAcock]

1. My wife and I were sitting in JFK airport, waiting on our plane, on our way back from a NYC Thanksgiving trip in 2012. We were watching the Carolina v Clemson game (#4 in our 5 game streak) at a terminal bar when none other than Senator John McCain bolted past us from the adjacent gate like he was shot out of a cannon. He was moving purposely, intent on avoiding the unwashed.
2. I saw Bill Murray walk past in ATL a few years ago. I was in one of the terminals, waiting on a connection, on my work cell when he walked by. Short guy, hat pulled low, also moving fast.
3. Very distant third... I saw Bruce Pearl strolling by in the ATL this past Sunday.

Saw John McCain myself in the PHX airport one time. We passed each other entering / exiting the men’s room. A mutual ha was exchanged.

 

[CooCooCock]

Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett deplaning at Cleveland Hopkins airport (late-1980's I think).

Regis Philbin at LA John Wayne airport (~1996) at urinal next to me in the men's room. No, I did not ask for his autograph or a selfie!

 

[vipercock]

I have quite a list but mostly because I was a captain for American Airlines flying widebody jets internationally mostly out of JFK and commuting home to Columbia on jets. But the three that stick out to me were Mike Tyson in the day, what incredibly wide shoulders he had. George Burns, a very fragile looking 95 or near with an unlit cigar in his hand, brought up from the ramp to the jet. And Sir Richard Branson on a flight from San Juan to JFK, hard to believe because he owned his own airline. He was very cordial and was up in the galley talking with the flight attendants and myself, when I took a piss break.

 

[ShannonL]

Does it count if I was picking them up at the airport for work? I was a tour guide at WDW for 13 years.

Mickey Rooney
Sigourney Weaver
Buzz Aldrin
Alonzo Mourning
Jake Plummer
Gene Siskel
David Ogden Stiers
Kathy Ireland
Bill Nye
Jeff Corwin
Weird Al
Ted Koppel
Steve Bartkowski
Michael Chiklis
...

 

[Gradstudent]

I never saw him but I always enjoyed the articles on the Oakland Raider Owner Mark Davis flying commercial on Southwest, I dont think any other NFL owners fly commercial but maybe Im wrong

 

[GandBinNC]

Bill Murray is 6'2"...not exactly short.

I'll be darned. You're right - I looked it up. Maybe he was slouched a bit. Didn't seem that tall when I saw him, but it was definitely him.

Almost forgot, I was on a flight with the great Kip Bouknight between Columbia and Atlanta in June, 2001. He had just finished his final season at USC. I was on my first honeymoon, bound for San Francisco. He was going to join his minor league team somewhere - can't remember where exactly. Spoke with him briefly - super nice guy.

 

[Horseshoe 04]

I forgot Jesse Palmer at the Gainsville airport
But y’all can probably understand why I forgot to include him in my original list.

I did say “hey” at the rental car counter

 

[Thigh Man]

what famous people have you seen in airports?

Certainly not, the head turner that we all would love to run into but, on the very first flight that I ever took in my life, as a freshman at USC, I sat next to Warren Giese.

I had no idea, whatsoever, who he was, at the time. I certainly hope that I didn't embarrass myself, in the conversations we had during the flight. I'm certain that I probably did.

 

[taxcock]

Davis Love III at baggage claim in Jacksonville, FL airport in 1992. He was waiting for his wife to fly into JAX and take her home to Saint Simons Island, GA. For some reason he eyeballed me more than I did him--I don't know whether he thought he knew me or what.

 

[classof95#]

Not a flight.... while walking into the original Caesar's Palace many years ago, my family noticed Redd Foxx walking into the casino next door. He wore a Hawaiian shirt with big colorful flowers. From about 15-20 yards away, my 20 year old brother said, "nice shirt!" He smiled at us and said, "poverty!", with a chuckle. I'll never forget how friendly he seemed. I was a big fan of Sanford and Son.

 

[mavcock]

Not a flight.... while walking into the original Caesar's Palace many years ago, my family noticed Redd Foxx walking into the casino next door. He wore a Hawaiian shirt with big colorful flowers. From about 15-20 yards away, my 20 year old brother said, "nice shirt!" He smiled at us and said, "poverty!", with a chuckle. I'll never forget how friendly he seemed. I was a big fan of Sanford and Son.

I've seen every episode of Sanford and Son even more than I have seen Roadhouse.

 

[uscg1984]

I saw Matt Damon and his wife at the airport in Aspen. I was looking at his wife's behind and he caught me and for a split second I though "I'm getting in a fight with Matt Damon" but he just smiled.

Jason Bourne would be a handfull, but I have a feeling you could take Matt Damon.

 

[Thigh Man]

what famous people have you seen in airports?

When I lived in Charlotte, it seemed like I ran into Rick Flair every Saturday or Sunday morning, either coming in or, heading out of the Bojangles on Woodlawn.

This went on for 2-3 years. Although, we had never been introduced, it got past the cordial smiles and muffled good mornings, eventually, becoming hardy 'Good Mornings'
and 'Hey, hadn't seen ya in awhile' comments.

I've often wondered, if he ever wondered ... "Where, the hell, do I know this guy from???"

 

[stevestrat2]

Arn Anderson in Charlotte airport in his prime. Stout MF.

Conner Shaw- we shared the same flight CLT to GSP - he had his Browns playbook (was huge binder) flipping thru it while waiting to board. I saw someone go over and do a selfie with him. I was right next to him for quite a while but I didnt bother him. Just not my style.

 

[Superior7]

Sat behind Alex English on a flight from Montreal back to Columbia. It was in November back in 2000 or 2001. We played Florida in football that Saturday and me and a buddy were driving to Gainesville the next day. That was the game Holtz had us up 21 to 3 after blocking 2 punts early.

Met Marty Schottenheimer in Charlotte Douglas in the baggage claim. His airline had lost his Golf clubs. He was in Charlotte for a Golf Tourney.

 

[stevestrat2]

I met Joe Montana and his wife at a work function back when he was still playing and was the man. We walked around like we were buds and you know what I called him? I called him "Joe" . For example- "Hey, Joe, I think that thing you were looking for is over here!". (and he said "thanks Stevestrat2, I appreciate that!"