I was once scheduled to connect to NH in LAX, but the domestic flight that would have given me plenty of time to connect was canceled at the last minute and I was rebooked on a flight that would give me only an hour IF it arrived at LAX on time.

As it turned out, I had 40 minutes to retrieve my bags and find my way to the international terminal from one of the other pods. Fortunately, a fellow passenger on the domestic flight knew LAX well and offered to go tell NH that I was coming. Just as my bags came through, she called my cell phone and informed me that NH was waiting for me.

I arrived at the NH counter only 20 minutes before scheduled departure, and they put me through the first class check-in line. That CSR seemed a bit annoyed that I was cutting it so close, but I explained the situation in Japanese, and then she was sympathetic.

With check-in accomplished, I set out at a race walker's pace with another agent, who took me through the employees' security line. I arrived at the gate area just as the tail end of the passenger queue was boarding.

I've found that in unusual situations like that, NH does a much better job than the typical U.S. carrier.