Very. Thanks for posting that.

For me...usual fascination with flight as a kid.

First flight that I recall was in 1962 when we flew to the Seattle World's Fair. I felt like I was some junior astronaut going on an exciting mission into space. Flying was still a huge thing back then. I remember even the adults were talking about it for weeks before the "big day."

I got every book, pamphlet and brochure I could lay my hands on beforehand. And I had plenty. Because both my Aunt and Uncle worked for United at the maintenance facility at SFO. They got us upgraded to First Class, so as was the custom back then, I had to "dress-up" in suit and clip-on tie. Wasn't too happy about that part, as I recall.

My Uncle arranged for us to arrive at the airport early and I really got the VIP treatment, walking around the plane on the tarmac with mechanics and pilots. Going into the cargo hold. Tour of the cockpit and even a visit up there in flight!

The World's Fair was equally mesmerizing to me as a kid, with the Science Pavilion and Space Needle being my highlights. That trip had a lot of effect on me and where I ended up as an adult.

Many more trips as a kid followed. As a young adult started flying as a Toy Buyer and designer for various companies. Got to go to China with the first wave of business folks after Nixon opened it up. Mostly Pan Am in those days. Lotsa Toy Fairs all over the world. In my peak year, I was in the air over 200 days of the 365! Changed industries and jobs many times since, but almost all have involved extensive travel.

Being so busy with business, I'm afraid I missed out on many benefits of frequent flyer programs in the earliest days of them. Before FF programs I was a member of United's old VIP program. But soon that was eliminated in favor of mileage bank frequent flyer programs of today. Didn't even join until my secretary just signed me up as she figured I didn't know what I was missing. She was right. Been going ever since. Both business and pleasure. I have flown over 2 million lifetime actual flight miles with United alone. Countless hundreds of thousands on other airlines as well, since that 1962 first flight.

Hope all that didn't put you sleep. I tried to keep it short.