Rookie mistakes!!!!
When I was a bartender for 15 years I had to always find a way to get out of some shifts cause the dang place never closed!
So I have made a lot of epic call offs, but my favorite was for ST. Patrick's one year:
Have friend call into your job looking for you to let you know that your family is looking for you and your <insert x family member of importance> just had a <heart attack, stroke, fell, etc>
Show up to work unknowingly and have your boss tell you and then allow you to walk out scott free from sympathy to be with family without even having to call in sick.
Its all about preparation and team work.