I'm actually a two million miler -- plus -- in AA's AAdvantage program. The anecdote I remember about the Sunday evening ORD to DCA flight that put me over the million mile mark is that I and the friend I was traveling with were upgraded on the O'Hare taxiway. We were sitting in our coach exit row seats aboard the 737 when a flight attendant came by and asked us to quickly move forward to first class.

Of course we didn't argue with a crew member's instructions and moved up front even as the aircraft continued moving toward the runway. We went back for our carry-on bags after the flight was airborne.

I have no idea whether the unconventional "op-up" was because I was crossing the million mile mark on that flight, for weight and balance issues, or to free up the exit rows for someone else.

But the gin and tonic tasted good.