Jimmy Carter's Flight Arrangements
 

I was listening to an interview with the former president on National Public Radio yesterday, and it was interesting to hear him discuss his annual family Christmastime vacation. He says he books flights for his 23 family members using Frequent Flyer miles he accrues on all his flying during the year. Claims to book in coach, but will often get upgraded if there is room. He also said he likes to go throughout the plane and greet his fellow passengers before they take off. Noticed that since 9/11, when he does this there seems to be much more applause, and has determined that this is not because people are happy to meet him, but rather due to the Secret Service he brings on board.

This is interesting.

Jimmy Carter is not exactly the "jus' folks" he portrays himself as. I can understand him and his family being upgraded on award tix unlike the rest of us.

He is a very decent guy by all accounts.

I've met him more than once, and he is genuinely an incredibly bright and honestly nice guy...

I have to say, the interview, what I heard of it on my lunch break in my car, was very good, interesting. This was on the "Fresh Air" program. He had much to say, and was very composed. Certainly gives the appearance of being a very nice person, and definitely not a schmuck.

I saw him once on a ATL-SFO flight on DL a few years ago, on a 767 IIRC. I was in a bulkhead Y row. He was in F. There were a couple of secret service up front with him, and then a couple others near the front of Y. Mr. Carter came back thru Y a couple of times during the flight and shook hands with quite a few people.

This is a very interesting post. Thanks very much.

Mr. Carter must be very lucky in getting 20+ award seats. I just booked a domestic award near Christmas with great difficulty even though I was very flexible with dates.

Aren't all former presidents nice guys? Gerald Ford's a nice golf guy. Ronald Reagan's a nice comic book reader guy. George Bush (dad) went to a Houston soup kitchen on Thanksgiving even though he's not running for office.

At least this is one pax that enjoys the inflight peanuts.

lol! it is a pity they banned peanut

....,but a Democrat, nonetheless.

Come now FlyAAway, I am as republican as they get. But to dismiss President Carter as a "demo, nonetheless" is not fair. Regardless of what people may think of his policies and success/failure as president, one thing cannot be denied - Jimmy Carter is one of the most honest and ethical men to have served in the White House. The farther we move into the future, the more people realize what a great man this country has in President Carter.



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Ken in Sacramento

Amen!

The only President in my memory that I would characterize as less than a decent person is Richard Nixon. Clinton comes close, too.

I can't speak for Ford because he hasn't done all that much since he's left office. Carter definitely seems to be a class act and a good man, even though he was a horrible President. Reagan has faded away due to his Alzheimers but even when he was in office, he seemed like a good guy even though I was pretty much against a lot of his policies. Bush Sr. is a far better man than his son will ever be.

As for Carter getting upgraded, well, yeah, of course he does. Think about it. You're a gate agent, and a former President has a seat in coach. Of course you're going to upgrade him.

Clinton comes close? Political affiliations aside, he and Nixon should have been friends...

Well, you'll notice that I didn't even characterize Nixon as bad. I'm trying to be nice. But if you ask me flat out whether or not I think Nixon and Clinton are good men, I will refrain from commenting. That should tell you everything you need to know.