Needed to fly to Tx from east coast for my brother's wedding. It was just after 9/11 and the wife was already freaked out about flying, especially with our 7th mo old son and 4 year old daughter. We were staying over night at airport to catch an early flight when Bush announced the first high alert since the attack that evening, which pushed her anxiety over the edge.
It was touch and go the next morning, when I decided "what the heck" and made a few phone calls to see about a chartering a plane, which I had never done before (since). Within a matter of hours the 4 of us were boarding a private jet and heading to Houston. I had just won the biggest case of my career, and so I figured I could afford it. It was great experience - the ultimate in pampering.