Two weeks ago we were planning some of the last minute details to go out to Houston for the annual "Finals" championship.  This year, we were packing up the family and checking out California for a week beforehand (we're moving there on the 6th of June).  Just before leaving to California, Jackie gets a call from the lady that was going to help babysit Ian and Lexi.  She calls me immediately afterwards and tells me, "The babysitter wants compensation".

Wow. We're paying for this person's ticket, getting them in the tournament, feeding them the entire week, getting their hotel, trucking them around...and now a week before they want compensation.  Nothing eats me up more than someone that tries to cut a deal when they know that you don't have options.  Unfortunately for them, we did have options.  We cancelled their ticket and Jackie's aunt volunteered to come out - even paying for her own ticket.  It felt good not having to take the other person, even though it was me in the first place that vouched for them.

Lesson learned, pay the 30 dollar "insurance" fee for those tickets that you think might have to change.  There was nothing we could do to get a refund or exchange the ticket.  Airline companies are sure assholes when it comes to this.  It's such a stupid policy.  I'd think that if another airline would allow a little more leeway with the tickets I'd sure fly with them instead.