A most enjoyable flight in………coach
Jun 30, 2004, 5:36 pm
#1
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A most enjoyable flight in………coach
If you have flown through ATL in the past two weeks you would have noticed a lot of young men and women coming home from the Middle East, in their desert fatigues, most on two weeks leave. These young men and women are America’s finest.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Last edited by longing4piedmont; Jun 30, 2004 at 5:39 pm
Jun 30, 2004, 5:37 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
Awesome!
Jun 30, 2004, 5:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
If you have flown through ATL in the past two weeks you would have noticed a lot of young men and women coming home from the Middle East, in their desert fatigues, most on two weeks leave. These young men and women are America’s finest.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
A very generous gesture and we (I am a special operations reserve officer) thank you for showing your appreciation of our troops - regardless of service.
As a side note, I thought of doing the same on several occasions - but have either never had a uniformed member on my flight, or A/F class was full.
Jun 30, 2004, 6:31 pm
#4
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Great Job l4p!
Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First.
Jun 30, 2004, 6:35 pm
#5
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Wow Longing, what a great gesture. Just reading your post brought tears to my eyes!
Jun 30, 2004, 6:38 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by pbiflyer
This brings up a good question. Can we say that anyone is our companion, or does it have to be a person on the same booking? I would be suprised if Delta were that liberal with a benefit.
I just assumed you could on DL.
Jun 30, 2004, 6:56 pm
#7
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What a lovely gesture. I will share your story with my children.
Jun 30, 2004, 7:36 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Nice gesture, longing4piedmont, and I applaud you for this! ( Two clapping hands-> ^ ^ )
I have THOUGHT of doing this in the past but haven't done so up until now. You actually did it....big difference.
I will make it a point to emulate your gesture in the future as I enjoy a challenge. And I greatly value and recognize the dedication of our service men and women.
Jun 30, 2004, 7:48 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by Cholula
Nice gesture, longing4piedmont, and I applaud you for this! ( Two clapping hands-> ^ ^ )
I have THOUGHT of doing this in the past but haven't done so up until now. You actually did it....big difference.
I will make it a point to emulate your gesture in the future as I enjoy a challenge. And I greatly value and recognize the dedication of our service men and women.
I have THOUGHT of doing this in the past but haven't done so up until now. You actually did it....big difference.
I will make it a point to emulate your gesture in the future as I enjoy a challenge. And I greatly value and recognize the dedication of our service men and women.
Jun 30, 2004, 7:49 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by pbiflyer
This brings up a good question. Can we say that anyone is our companion, or does it have to be a person on the same booking? I would be suprised if Delta were that liberal with a benefit.
Sort of puts a new spin on the word road worrior ^
Jun 30, 2004, 7:53 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by Cholula
I will make it a point to emulate your gesture in the future as I enjoy a challenge. And I greatly value and recognize the dedication of our service men and women.
Jun 30, 2004, 7:54 pm
#12
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Longing,
Great!!!!!!!!!!!! I've done this twice on NW. Like you, I look for uniformed kids (God, they look so young!!)
In MSP, there was a group of returning vets at one of the bars. I threw down 100.00 and told the bartender to take care of them. He told me that I was the 3rd or 4th person to do that and he was keeping the money to offer rounds later.
Great!!!!!!!!!!!! I've done this twice on NW. Like you, I look for uniformed kids (God, they look so young!!)
In MSP, there was a group of returning vets at one of the bars. I threw down 100.00 and told the bartender to take care of them. He told me that I was the 3rd or 4th person to do that and he was keeping the money to offer rounds later.
Jun 30, 2004, 9:17 pm
#13
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What a wonderful story! I will keep this in mind for the future, and gladly give up my seat. Whether or not you agree with the war, our soldiers deserve our thanks from a grateful country.
Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
If you have flown through ATL in the past two weeks you would have noticed a lot of young men and women coming home from the Middle East, in their desert fatigues, most on two weeks leave. These young men and women are America’s finest.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Many of us can upgrade a companion if there are seats available. We should all make the effort required and insure these folks fly their last leg in First. Unfortunately most of my flights in the past two weeks have departed with a full first class, so there would have been no opportunity to upgrade them.
Yesterday morning I made a decision to give up my first class seat to the first soldier on the plane wearing a uniform. (Yes, I did clear it with the crew first) These folks are putting their lives on the line everyday they are over there serving our country. What’s 90 minutes in coach for the opportunity in a small way to say thanks for what they are doing?
I can tell you the smile on the young lady’s face made it all worth while. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed my seat in coach knowing I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to one of those who has chosen to serve our country. And the fact the F/A came back to coach to tell me that it was the first time in 25 years he had ever seen a passenger do that, made me feel good too
I challenge each of you to do the same.
Jun 30, 2004, 9:25 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by pbiflyer
This brings up a good question. Can we say that anyone is our companion, or does it have to be a person on the same booking? I would be suprised if Delta were that liberal with a benefit.
Second of all, yes, you can upgrade just anyone but there have been some beliefs that this request must come outside of 3 hours of the flight time which would prevent you picking someone at the gate from being your companion. I would think that they might make an exception if they were military. But, Spiff, if he were still flying Delta, might have an issue upgrading the cute red head sitting near the boarding area.
Jul 1, 2004, 1:33 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,645
I did this too, for a soldier coming back from Afghanistan on ATL-PHX flight. When I saw him walk back to coach, it just popped into my head to see if I could do this for him so I asked the F/A; she said it would be fine. So we switched seats and he thought it was the coolest thing to sit up there. It was his first time and he was thanking me like I did something great. Please. No, thank you I said.