I read the article you mentioned by Rick Reilly on ESPN.com in early 2008, written in as a top 10 ways to go broke for NBA/NFLers. On that list was buying an airplane. Told how many millions a private jet could cost, half a million to replace the windshield, fuel prices outrageous. Said Scottie had one couldnt pay for it all and was sued and still owed over a million in legal fees because it. Reilly's final line was, "See you in coach Scottie." That was early 08.
The summer before, as mentioned in a previous NYC/CHI thread, I went to Chicago with a group, flying from Memphis to O'hare and back. We were delayed a couple hours in O'hare when a couple guys in my group jumped up and said there goes Scottie Pippen. They started that way and caught up with him and got a photograph with him. Said he was pretty nice. Never saw him come back in our direction but after another hour or so we were finally allowed to board the plane. Because of a wheelchair, I had to board the plane first. As I get ready to enter the tunnel I look to my right and he's standing there messing with a cellphone waiting to board also. I took my seat in the first row of coach. Sure enough I could see him heading my way. Trying to decide if I should say anything, I waited for him to walk by. As he did, I looked up at him, nodded my head, and said "Whats up Scottie" He nodded his head in response and continued towards the back of the plane. Little did I know that 6-8 months later I would read an article bout him riding in coach.