Traveling from St George (SGU) to Phoenix (PHX) to New York (JFK) to Shannon (SNN). The first leg of the journey ... uneventful.

During the second leg, I decided to conduct an experiment. Premise: Are the moisture wicking pants (and moisture wicking underwear) I am wearing, truly moisture wicking?

To make this determination, I skillfully poured (some would say spilled) a full cup of water directly on my crotch. If I pissed myself it would look exactly the same. There abubtly ended the iPhone backgammon game I was playing. I lost the first two games to the computer and was assuredly winning the third game as the experiment (mishap) took place. It is possible that I was overconfident in my chances of defeating the computer. And in my exuberance knocked the cup over.

I was seated on the right side middle seat (29E). When it happened, the guy to my left simply shrugged as iif to say “no big deal”. The women to my right was asleep and none the wiser. What if she woke up and noticed my crotch? I was confounded on what to do next. Stand and walk (the walk of shame) to the bathroom with my embarrassment clearly showing? Confidently, walk to the bathroom and dare anyone to notice? Not that it would help. The pants and underwear would be slightly dryer after blotting them with a paper towel yet still noticeably wet. Or remain seated in seat 29E? I chose the later, and grateful that it was a five hour flight with four hours left. Will my pants (and underwear) dry by the time we land at JFK? To conceal the soaked pants, I kept my tray table down. All I need now is an announcement that we have to put our tray tables up.

Much to my amazement - both pants and underwear were completely dry two and a half hours later. Which was a good thing. For now I had to take a leak before a second and truly embarrassing similar experiment commenced. Thanks Costco hiking pants and REI underwear. Proof of a great purchase.

Note to Delta and all airlines. Perhaps the slightly recessed cup area on the tray table is not sufficient to prevent spills. Suggestion: put a hole in the same place on the tray so the cup seats partway. Half below and half above. Especially helpful during turbulence. Is this a million dollar idea?