Myrmidonisia
11-05-2005, 01:01
I flew to Boston on Sunday. It was the typical afternoon at the Atlanta airport -- rude baggage police, long lines, delays with the incoming flight, so the outbound flight would be late, too. There was a bright spot in all of this, for I had been able to get my seat upgraded to first class. Now that I've been to Asia and the Middle East a couple times, it isn't as hard as it used to be.
So, we're boarding and I get my seat. I notice a few soldiers in uniform heading back to the cheap seats. Then I put my nose back in my book. Pretty soon, I notice the empty seats are being filled with some of those soldiers. Then the first class section is full.
I wish I had had the idea, but it was the guy next to me. He asked the flight attendant if there were any more soldiers back in coach that would like to move up to first. She said there were a couple, so I volunteered my seat, too. Turned out to be a pretty nice trip, anyway. I still got a couple drinks and the flight was so empty, that I had a window and aisle seat to myself.
When we landed, one of the crew got on the horn and thanked the soldiers for their service. He asked us to say a prayer for them and then the most wonderful thing happened. Every passenger on that airplane started applauding the soldiers. I think they had to do two curtain calls the applause was so strong and determined. Seriously, I think they were embarrassed and didn't know how to take it.
I fly a lot and this is the first time I've seen anything like this. It must just be that flight crew, and maybe a few others, that are providing such VIP treatment. But from now on, I'm going to volunteer my seat anytime I see a uniformed soldier on the plane. Maybe it'll catch on.
Oh, this was Delta Airlines, by the way.
So, we're boarding and I get my seat. I notice a few soldiers in uniform heading back to the cheap seats. Then I put my nose back in my book. Pretty soon, I notice the empty seats are being filled with some of those soldiers. Then the first class section is full.
I wish I had had the idea, but it was the guy next to me. He asked the flight attendant if there were any more soldiers back in coach that would like to move up to first. She said there were a couple, so I volunteered my seat, too. Turned out to be a pretty nice trip, anyway. I still got a couple drinks and the flight was so empty, that I had a window and aisle seat to myself.
When we landed, one of the crew got on the horn and thanked the soldiers for their service. He asked us to say a prayer for them and then the most wonderful thing happened. Every passenger on that airplane started applauding the soldiers. I think they had to do two curtain calls the applause was so strong and determined. Seriously, I think they were embarrassed and didn't know how to take it.
I fly a lot and this is the first time I've seen anything like this. It must just be that flight crew, and maybe a few others, that are providing such VIP treatment. But from now on, I'm going to volunteer my seat anytime I see a uniformed soldier on the plane. Maybe it'll catch on.
Oh, this was Delta Airlines, by the way.