Posted on 07/12/2004 2:32:44 PM PDT by NordP
It started with one first class passenger asking a soldier what seat he was sitting in, as he passed by in the airplane's isle. The soldier mentioned a seat in the back, but the passenger in 1st class told him no, you're taking MY seat.
SOLDIERS LEARN NEW MEANING OF 'FIRST CLASS'
(FRISCO, July 11) -- A few passengers on a recent American Airlines flight gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "first class", when they gave returning R&R-bound U.S. soldiers an unexpected upgrade. "There are a couple of flights I'll remember forever, and this will always be one of them", recalls American flight attendant Lorrie Gammon.
On July 4, Gammon was on duty when 12 soldiers boarded her American flight from Atlanta to Chicago. They were on their way home from Iraq to begin 2 weeks of R&R. Suddenly, one of the first-class passengers stood up, took his boarding pass back to main cabin. Next thing, the entire first-class section of the plane stood up and gave their seats for the servicemen and women.
Gammon says she didn't know what to make of it at first. "They were almost afraid to take their seats and were trying to give them back, and the businessmen were like, 'No, you guys sit here, we're going back to main cabin.'" Gammon says the flight attendants were watching this from the galley, and trying but failing to stop from crying. She says the soldiers had tears in their eyes too. She says one of the officers told her the soldiers have been in Iraq for more than a year, with bombs going off around them every day.
"Just to know we're behind them, means the world to them", Gammon says. She says she knows people want to show their support for our troops, and on that day, on that one flight, she saw that support displayed right in front of her. For on that day, the seats in first class were filled with first-class American soldiers.
Thanks, Doug! I was just reading it....man...what a tear jerker!!!
Bump for excellence.
If there is a real musician in the audience who can write some original music, I'll write lyrics for this. Perhaps a country tune?
and while I was very talented at padding my expense account..that "considerable" bar tab was never submitted...
Wow - thanks for sharing YOUR story, too!
Excellent, Ken.
While in the Army I was stuck at Dallas Airport, 1982. I had money so went to the Hyatt right at the Airport.
Got on the elevator, duffle bag and suitcase in hands. Two older guys got on a floor above. They were not going up they said, but when the doors opened and they saw a Uniform They could not resist.
They had both been in World War II, were glad to see the younger generation taking the oath. They carried my bags to my door. Said good bye, good luck.
The next morning I went ot pay my bill and they had already done so.
They didn't say remember the act of strangers but I did.
After I ETS'ed I was in Atlanta, my flight was the next morning. I shipped my stuff. So was traveling light. The next morning while paying my bill, There were 2 soldiers waiting to go to JFK at the hotel. I payed their bill. And payed for the cab to the airport.
It is people like these stories that you hear about, and you know hope for America is not lost yet.
Thanks for your service "Swabbie" :o)
I just flew a few weeks ago, and the stewardess said it would be OK. I think that if the plane's not too crowded, and you ask politely, there wouldn't be any problem. Of course, if it is crowded and people are still boarding, I can see how there might be problems.
I think that the key is to be polite. While airline service has pretty much gone down the tubes over the years, many of these flight attendants have to deal with grumpy, rude passengers, and tend to get grumpy and rude themselves. They seem to appreciate a polite passenger.
BTW, if you want great service and a very comfortable flight, try flying Midwest Airlines. It's by far my favorite airline to fly. It's a bit more expensive, but worth every penny.
Mark
From your link:
SOLDIERS LEARN NEW MEANING OF 'FIRST CLASS'
(FRISCO, July 11) -- A few passengers on a recent American Airlines flight gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "first class", when they gave returning R&R-bound U.S. soldiers an unexpected upgrade. "There are a couple of flights I'll remember forever, and this will always be one of them", recalls American flight attendant Lorrie Gammon.
On July 4, Gammon was on duty when 12 soldiers boarded her American flight from Atlanta to Chicago. They were on their way home from Iraq to begin 2 weeks of R&R. Suddenly, one of the first-class passengers stood up, took his boarding pass back to main cabin. Next thing, the entire first-class section of the plane stood up and gave their seats for the servicemen and women.
Gammon says she didn't know what to make of it at first. "They were almost afraid to take their seats and were trying to give them back, and the businessmen were like, 'No, you guys sit here, we're going back to main cabin.'" Gammon says the flight attendants were watching this from the galley, and trying but failing to stop from crying. She says the soldiers had tears in their eyes too. She says one of the officers told her the soldiers have been in Iraq for more than a year, with bombs going off around them every day.
"Just to know we're behind them, means the world to them", Gammon says. She says she knows people want to show their support for our troops, and on that day, on that one flight, she saw that support displayed right in front of her. For on that day, the seats in first class were filled with first-class American soldiers.
http://www.KDFWFOX4.com
What a woderful story. God bless the troops and keep them safe
Bruce Kurtz
... hhmmm ... Fox broadcast in Chicago is on 32
I did hear it reported, though, by Linda Vester on FNC Dayside at about noon here in Chicago.
Just before the fighting started last year, I was on a long-term business assignment in Nashville. Each day, I drove by the regional USMC recruiting office. One day, I called the office and asked to speak to the senior enlisted Marine. A Sergean Major came on the phone and I introduced myself. A few days later, I met the Officer in Charge (OIC) and gave him several hundred dollars worth of gift certificates to Ruby Tuesday restaurants. I asked the OIC to pass them out to as many of his ENLISTED Marines as possible. The gratitude was overwhelming. I am too old to be in uniform, but I am not too old to do something for them. The local recruiters, of all branches, work lots of hours (60 or more per week) for the same paycheck.
Semper FI! USMC 1970-1981
Southwest must be in real big trouble!
bump
I used to think that politness worked..but sadly..it doesn't...FA's today have it tough...and they're so overworked and overstressed that there isn't time for "kindness" to work its normal magic.. Second, if you're nice, many assume you're just trying to hit on them..
"I don't think you're even allowed to switch seats in the post-911 world."
I see it done on nearly every flight and I travel at least 4 flights every 2 weeks. Usually the FA are asked and they say to go ahead and switch.
We told him that so many of you all have been posting your personal stories--told him about this freerepublic thread, that Melissa Cutler -who originally did this piece- could have herself a full feature - if not a book from this one story!
God Bless America! The greatest country in the world!!!
Let's Roll!
exactly... :) and thanks for yours doughboy :)
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