Tis the Season
Dec 23, 2010, 3:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: DL GM, QR Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 45
Tis the Season
All,
I wanted to share an experience I had on Tuesday that really made me think about what I can do to help others. It's not meant to brag or have others be upset that a Delta staff member did something they shouldn't have or anything like that.
On tuesday I flew DOH-AMS-DTW-PHX. As I was sitting in the DOH terminal, I noticed a fellow American was dressed in Texas Longhorn gear and looked like he had been through hell and back. We started talking and he was coming from Afghanistan and just got a flight at the last minute to surprise his family for Christmas in Lobbock, TX. He had a 10 hour layover in AMS, which isn't a bad thing, but considering the weather and all, doesn't really make you want to leave the airport. I told him that when we got to AMS, that I would take him to the KLM lounge as my guest so he could at least have a place to relax and maybe get some sleep.
I didn't have a whole lot of time to get to my gate to DTW, but I wanted to give this guy a decent place to relax.....I got him in and I wished him a Merry Christmas and he was very thankful.
I boarded my plane to DTW and the boarding door closed and as I was sitting in 10B, the head FA came up to me and asked me to come with him.....He told me that I looked like I needed a little more room and said that he wanted to give me a Christmas present and seated me in World Business Class since a few passengers didn't show.
I couldn't believe it! I was very thankful obviously and the service was fantastic! As I was sitting there thinking about what just happened, I realized that doing something as little as getting a soldier into an airport lounge so he can relax for the first time in over a year as he is in a war zone, can lead to others treating you to things as well. I guess it made me realize that I should do more. It obviously doesn't take much.
Give and you shall receive. Sorry in advance if you think this was a rant or anything other than sharing my story in this season of giving. This is why I continue to fly Delta.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I wanted to share an experience I had on Tuesday that really made me think about what I can do to help others. It's not meant to brag or have others be upset that a Delta staff member did something they shouldn't have or anything like that.
On tuesday I flew DOH-AMS-DTW-PHX. As I was sitting in the DOH terminal, I noticed a fellow American was dressed in Texas Longhorn gear and looked like he had been through hell and back. We started talking and he was coming from Afghanistan and just got a flight at the last minute to surprise his family for Christmas in Lobbock, TX. He had a 10 hour layover in AMS, which isn't a bad thing, but considering the weather and all, doesn't really make you want to leave the airport. I told him that when we got to AMS, that I would take him to the KLM lounge as my guest so he could at least have a place to relax and maybe get some sleep.
I didn't have a whole lot of time to get to my gate to DTW, but I wanted to give this guy a decent place to relax.....I got him in and I wished him a Merry Christmas and he was very thankful.
I boarded my plane to DTW and the boarding door closed and as I was sitting in 10B, the head FA came up to me and asked me to come with him.....He told me that I looked like I needed a little more room and said that he wanted to give me a Christmas present and seated me in World Business Class since a few passengers didn't show.
I couldn't believe it! I was very thankful obviously and the service was fantastic! As I was sitting there thinking about what just happened, I realized that doing something as little as getting a soldier into an airport lounge so he can relax for the first time in over a year as he is in a war zone, can lead to others treating you to things as well. I guess it made me realize that I should do more. It obviously doesn't take much.
Give and you shall receive. Sorry in advance if you think this was a rant or anything other than sharing my story in this season of giving. This is why I continue to fly Delta.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Dec 23, 2010, 5:42 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Amex Delta Reserve + Platinum MR. Y, I book.
Posts: 158
Very well played. You honor all of us when you engage in small acts of kindness like that. And - he has a story to tell when he gets home to his family. ^
Dec 23, 2010, 5:45 am
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bos
Programs: FB-Gold, SPG-Plat, Priority Club-Plat
Posts: 438
Things happen for a reason. Sounds like someone wanted you to have a chance meeting with your fellow DOH passenger, which started the whole process of kindness action. A heart warming story.
Dec 23, 2010, 8:12 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
Nice story! 
^
^
Dec 25, 2010, 4:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Marriott plat, DL Diamond
Posts: 309
I would like to add a Merry Christmas. My last day of travel was Wed. Was passing a shoeshine stand and the guy running the place wooed in a soldier to clean his boots.. I stopped in my tracks and paid for the shine.. While the soldier thanked me, it was a recipricol thank you!! Felt really good all day long...
Dec 25, 2010, 4:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL PM, HHonors, Marriott Rewards, Priority Club, Amex Delta Reserve & Various Cars
Posts: 61
Since we are relating Christmas stories ... here is an experience I had a week or so ago and actually sent Delta the following "job well done" comment ...
"I was on flight 1075 from RDU to ATL yesterday (12/12/10) and was so moved by what I witnessed, that I wanted to let Delta know of my appreciation. Flight 1075 had the privilege of transporting one of our fallen heroes on his final journey home to Texas from Afghanistan. I witnessed the loading of this hero along with all of the other passengers viewing it from the RDU concourse adjacent to the gate. The honor and reverence that was shown by all involved was so incredible and moving. The pilot of flight 1075 expressed over the PA some very genuine and appropriate words and I was honored to be a part of the entire experience. I am the father of a US Marine on active duty and am always amazed at the patriotism, attention and honor that Delta and all your front line flight folks show to our traveling military. The pilot told us the name of this fallen soldier but I was caught up in the moment and did not write it down. If possible and allowable, could you let me know the last name? Thank you again for what you all do and not being afraid to express it to your customers."
PS ... the one thing that impressed me the most was the behavior of all the passengers on this flight. When we got to ATL, the pilot asked that all remain seated until the military escort left the plane ... and when the "bell rang", not a person moved until that happened. I was seated in 4B and looked to the back of the plane, and did not see one person move until the pilot released us. We were a few minutes late to the gate so I know there must of been some tight connections ... but absolutely no one moved!
"I was on flight 1075 from RDU to ATL yesterday (12/12/10) and was so moved by what I witnessed, that I wanted to let Delta know of my appreciation. Flight 1075 had the privilege of transporting one of our fallen heroes on his final journey home to Texas from Afghanistan. I witnessed the loading of this hero along with all of the other passengers viewing it from the RDU concourse adjacent to the gate. The honor and reverence that was shown by all involved was so incredible and moving. The pilot of flight 1075 expressed over the PA some very genuine and appropriate words and I was honored to be a part of the entire experience. I am the father of a US Marine on active duty and am always amazed at the patriotism, attention and honor that Delta and all your front line flight folks show to our traveling military. The pilot told us the name of this fallen soldier but I was caught up in the moment and did not write it down. If possible and allowable, could you let me know the last name? Thank you again for what you all do and not being afraid to express it to your customers."
PS ... the one thing that impressed me the most was the behavior of all the passengers on this flight. When we got to ATL, the pilot asked that all remain seated until the military escort left the plane ... and when the "bell rang", not a person moved until that happened. I was seated in 4B and looked to the back of the plane, and did not see one person move until the pilot released us. We were a few minutes late to the gate so I know there must of been some tight connections ... but absolutely no one moved!
Dec 25, 2010, 5:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: DL PM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 60
Great
As a former World Club member and now SkyClub I always look for a service member (I am retired Navy) or a mother traveling alone with small kids to give them a break and a chance to recharge their batteries. Although I have had my share of upgrades, I have never boarded a plane and had the FA come back and take me up front. That would be nice. Anyways Merry Christmas to all of you out there. I will be traveling back to Memphis on 1 Jan 11. SEA,MSP,MEM. Let me know if anyone needs or wants Skyclub access on those days.