Woman Clings to Tiny Chance George Clooney Will Sit by Her on Flight

Books first-class seat to increase remote odds.

photo credit: Nicolas Genin

VERMONT woman who wanted to be identified only as Loren G. has gone into the red to secure a first-class airline ticket to Chicago, Illinois, in her efforts to increase the minuscule possibility that she might be seated next to George Clooney.

"I know it's a long shot," admitted the avid Clooney fan, "but I figured it was worth the extra money to improve my chances a little."

Ms. G., who is flying to Chicago on business, paid the up-charge knowing that she still would likely sit next to "just some nobody." Nevertheless she said she would "go all out to look great just in case George is sitting there in 3b. You never know!"

Celebrities whom Loren has spotted in first class on previous flights include Ed McMahon, Simon Cowell, and "Oprah Winfrey's BFF," Gayle King.

"I might have seen Jennifer Lopez, too, but I was too far back in coach to make a positive i.d.," said Ms. G.

George Clooney, who could not be reached for comment, is not known to be traveling to the Chicago area during the time of Ms. G's business trip, but is not known not to be traveling there, either.

Loren said she would be "deeply, miserably disappointed" if Mr. Clooney is not by her side in first class, but "I would feel a little better about it if he was at least on the same flight."

A statistician was contacted who agreed to calculate how remote the likelihood actually was that George Clooney would be seated next to Loren, but she declined his services, saying, "If George and I are meant to be together, no silly math can keep us apart."