Actually that a lie. Evergreen treated me the best. Government contracts paying the fare and the need to try and make up for ancient questionably airworthy aircraft probably had a great deal to do with that. AA was the best treatment by carriers from which I personally had purchased tickets.
Back then you could fly standby but had to be in uniform. The prospects were looking grim but that act of kindness got me back to Oklahoma in time for Thanksgving dinner.