I settled into my seat on my favorite airline (that I won’t identify here to prevent inadvertent promotion, but it has five letters and the best on-time performance). As I looked forward, a passenger standing in the aisle next to me quickly spun around, and nearly knocked me out. She carried a backpack with a heavy article hanging off of it, and it struck me in the head. I was thinking, “I need to write an article suggesting that flying requires training in self-defense,” then remembered that this has nothing to do with quality. No matter the quality of the airline, we are all in the same boat (or plane) when it comes to avoiding getting knocked out during boarding.
Then I looked down at the seat next to me, as yet unoccupied. There was an oversized postcard on it that said “Thank you.” I picked up the card and turned it around. To my amazement, there was a personal note from a member of the cabin crew to the occupant of that seat, a “Million Miler” on the airline. The note expressed appreciation for the passenger’s loyalty. I am not yet a Million-Miler so I didn’t get a card, but I wasn’t at all disappointed. Then, a well-dressed flight attendant stood next to me, looking down. “Mr. Lazarus?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied, thinking I was in some kind of trouble. “Mr. Lazarus,” he repeated, “I just want to thank you for being a Platinum Medallion member. We appreciate your loyalty. Have a nice flight.” I was delighted at the recognition, and perhaps a little embarrassed.