x-fares: the most beautiful, terrible thing

4:30pm June 15 (54 days, 16.5hrs from departure): Conversation with Austin. I can fly standby to seattle for $100 through airtran's x-fares. One catch -- there's only 2 flights on Aug. 6 from ATL, at 9:20am and 6:40pm. I think I'm going to risk it.

9pm July 30 (7 days, 12hrs from departure): My incredible friend drew offers to drive me to ATL, even though it means we'll have to leave clemson at 4:15am. Check airtran website. All seats sold except the most expensive coach seats. Whoah, this could be close.

8pm August 5 (13hrs from departure): Check airtran website. Still seats available for 9:20 flight to Seattle. Man, what a relief. With seats still available, surely I'll be able to get on the plane.

11pm August 5 (10 hrs from departure): Check airtran website. HOLY CRAP!!! THERE'S NO SEATS LEFT!! WHAT HAPPENED??!! This is not good.

6:52am August 6 (2hrs 28mins from departure): Walk up to airtran counter. Tell agent I want to do x-fares to seattle for the 9:20 flight. I think she would have given me a more hopeful look if I had told her I had challenged Lance Armstrong to a 5-day bike race.

8:02am August 6 (1hr 18mins from departure): After a lovely, super-productive, and restful hour wait in ATL security, arrive at Gate 20 at the end of Concourse C. Oh wow, this does not look good. There aren't even any open seats in the waiting area.

8:43am August 6 (37 mins from departure): Boarding has begun. The line snakes through the waiting area to the escalator. This does not look good.

9:05am August 6 (15 mins from departure): There's only 2 people left in line. I stopped counting how many people got on before this because I had reached triple digits. No word from the Airtran lady if there are going to be seats available.

9:09am August 6 (11mins from departure): Last boarding call for Seattle Airtran flight 15. Definitely about to crap my pants.

9:10am August 6 (10mins from departure): Airtran lady picks up phone. Begins speaking. Now boarding standby passengers for Seattle. My name is called. I'm walking down the expando hallway. I'm on the plane. I'M GOING TO SEATTLE!! WOOO!!

Airtran, I love you.