Tales from the Road: How to Handle a Celebrity Run-in

As summer vacations wind down, we’re going to feature travelers’ tales from the road. If you’d like to share your own, send us an email.

Nan, a self-proclaimed “big TripIt fan,” tells us about packing as much fun as possible into a whirlwind weekend in NYC, and what happened when he encountered a famous face in the process.

His tale inspired us to share some of the TripIt team’s own celebrity sightings while traveling, as well as tips on what to do if you spot a star in the wild (and no, he isn’t the star of Chuck).

Nan: “While in NYC for a weekend, I woke up for a run in Central Park and when I arrived, there was a marathon going on…so I crashed it. I ran a 10k with the other marathoners, without a tag or the like. Once that wrapped, my friends and I went to Governor’s Island to ride bikes. It was 100+ degrees but we did it nonetheless. TWICE. (Aside: I think they hate me) From there, we strolled over to Chelsea Pier for a burger and a beer at The Frying Pan, a boat that doubles as a restaurant/bar. 

Afterwards, as I’m strolling down 24^th St., I see the back of a man with a mic above his head, a crew and a camera.  Passing by, I recognized him: Ice-T! 

Celeb spotting tip #1: Ask before you snap a photo.

Nan: “Whipping my camera out and shooting Ice-T’s photo while he was rapping was the wrong decision. I threw off his concentration. Whoops. The director came over and very kindly said they were trying to catch the shot before the sun went down, and that we could hang out, shoot photos and meet Ice-T when they’re done. I apologized, told him I was a dummy from Texas who didn’t know better, and excused myself.”

Celeb spotting tip #2: Keep the conversation brief.

Daniela, a TripIt fan: "I sat in the same row as Daily Show correspondent and “I’m a PC” persona, John Hodgman, on a flight from LA to NY. We had a conversation about Twitter, and then both tweeted that we were sitting next to each other. He was a lot of fun! Later I backed off though because I figured he didn't want to spend the whole flight being a celebrity. It turns out the "Can you hear me now?" Verizon guy was also on the same flight, in first class."

Celeb spotting tip #3: An entourage is a dead giveaway.

Scott Hintz, co-founder and VP Business Development: “Stevie Wonder was on my flight from Rabat (Morocco) to Paris 2 years ago. Everyone had boarded the plane and then we just sat there without any explanation for why we weren't leaving. Then suddenly, an entourage boarded the plane; 6 or 7 people who had a TON of carry-on stuff... the last person to board was Stevie. He sat about 4 rows in front of me, using some kind of electronic device.”

Celeb spotting tip #4: Keep an eye out for frequent flyers.

Note: What are the chances that Ewan McGregor could be spotted on British Airways by two different TripIt colleagues?!

Edith, Senior Product Manager: “I was flying through London on my way to South Africa for Comrades Marathon.  I splurged and used my miles for British Airways first class. When I was walking down the jet bridge at LHR, an airplane employee said "welcome" to the guy in front of me, and started escorting him. No name exchanged, so I was wondering who was so important/well known that no introduction was necessary! She stayed with him through multiple elevators and waited for the train to immigration, as I tried to figure out who it was. When the train arrived, he turned to look at me, and I felt a blue-eyed Jedi stare down.”

Scott: “While waiting for my flight from SFO-LHR in the British Airways first class lounge, I noticed Ewan seated about 15 feet away. Eventually, a "handler" came and helped him board the plane before everyone else. Upon arrival at LHR, he went through customs like any other passenger. I did notice that he stood facing forward the whole time, probably so the people behind him didn't notice who he was.  He kept his head down and wore sunglasses most of the time after passing through customs.”

Celeb spotting tip #5: Celebrities travel like the rest of us (well, sometimes).

Harold Liss, Senior Software Engineer: “I was once on a flight with Fabio. I didn't talk to him, but I remember that he was right behind me in the security line, and others kept remarking on how good of a Fabio lookalike he was! After landing, he was waiting curbside to be picked up, with everyone else, and nobody really hounded him.”

*What famous faces have you spotted while traveling? Share your stories or tips in the comments section.

Comments

[Nan Palmero]

Here's the photo of Ice-T when he yelled "c'mon thug!" - http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/6027073523/

[Alan Guignon]

My run in with a Celeb. was centuries ago - or so it seems now. I was travelling from London to Zurich and was the only passenger in First class. I was enjoying the extraordinary situation when I looked out my window on the left hand side and saw a limo pull up and out got Deborah Kerr and her tennis playing husband (complete with 2 raquets under his arm..!) She sat opposite me and her husband behind her. Suffice to say, I could not control myself and introduced myself to her and raved on about how much I loved her work. She was very polite and engaging - there was no where she could really go to get away fom me, I guess -
but it was a moment I will always remember.

[John Kernitzki]

Let's see, in no particular order, I've been seatmates with:

• Alice Cooper (A terrific guy, seemed completely comfortable with "fame", but refused to take advantage of it. Very chatty, super outgoing and friendly. The kind of guy you'd like to share a few beers with)

• Anferny "Penny" Hardaway (Even in First Class, couldn't quite fit in the seat, and a white-knuckle flyer. Convinced him to take some flying lessons. Gave me his ticket at the end of the flight for a coworker who's a rabid Suns fan)

• Jerry Jones (Didn't recognize him at first, until the two honkin' huge Super Bowl rings kinda gave him away. He pretty much slept through the flight, as I would try to do if I was worth as much as him and had to fly commercial)

• Nick Nolte (Um, I'm just not going to say anything here)

• Jessica Alba (by the end of a long flight, she wanted to have my love child)

OK, I completely made that last one up.

There's been a few others that I didn't really know who they were, but others fawned over them for some reason. My rule is to leave them alone, and any conversation is the same I'd have with any other complete stranger trapped on the plane with me. I don't want to sound like another drooling fan (because I'm really not), and I figure they would rather talk about something else for a change, if they want to talk at all. No pics, no autographs. It's not like they're going to make me their best friend all of a sudden.

[Sanjiv M]

Bumped into Lionel Messi a few years ago at HK Int'l Airport. He was in front of me in line at securtiy with a few friends. It was summer, so i guess he was in HK on holiday.

Had a quick chat with him (i speak Spanish), asked him if he liked HK. He nodded, and we high five'd when we finished the conversation. Cool chap, and very polite.

[Brody]

I have to agree that the best thing to do is leave them alone. If you must say hello, dont push the conversation. Just like other strangers when travelling, if they want to talk to you...they will and with the few run-ins I have had, not one has discussed their work.

I have sat in front of Billy Zane on an Emirates flight in Business Class. I also had a nice conversation with a lovely lady in the Elmis Spa at Heathrow. She looked familiar but, I could not quite put my finger on it. When I was called in for my 15 minutes in the chair the staff were practically arguing about who was going to help this lady. I asked the woman who was helping me what the fuss was all about and was informed that it was Jessica Alba. With all of the other stresses that travelling can bring I cant imagine being hounded by ANYONE, even if it is an adoring fan, who in the end, is just another travelling stranger.