March 10, 2013. Jackson, Mississippi. Groups.

For a short time, our fellow passengers travelling from Dallas to Jackson became a team.   Our journey took us from Puerto Vallarta to Dallas, and after clearing customs and a two hour lay over, waited at the gate for our flight to Jackson.  Sitting waiting were 12 young people from the navy, all in neat uniforms, all about college age.  The rest of us were just passengers, in other words, we were paying no attention to each other. Our plane was a very small American Eagle.
  
The announcement told us that the flight coming for us was late.    Five minutes later, they announced a change in gate, so this small group heading down the concourse to gate 6.   The naval folks were in the head of group.  By now, people were talking to each other.   When we sat down, the information was correct, that Gate 11 was going to Jackson.  But it soon changed.  Now people were really asking each each other what was happening.  After ten minutes, a new announcement changed the gate yet again,  to Gate 12.  Now we once were at gate 11, which is about half a mile from gate 6.  Now we are heading back but this to get on a new plane.   It was festive.  People chatting and cheering when we boarded.  The naval folks had never been on a airplane that was so small so they were laughing and hooting at the size.  The whole boarding was noisy and fun.  No complaining.  Just wanting to go.
.
When the attendant mentioned that we were leaving for Jacksonville, the passengers exploded with hoots and hollers.   Even the safety instructions had comments and laughter.  It was fascinating to be a part of a group that gets together and act as a cohesive group, if only for a short time.