Nice gesture

Author Message   Larry Cranford Advanced Member Username: Larrycranford Post Number: 294 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 66.76.205.216 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 02:22 am:    This past Wednesday, May 19th, I was flying on American Airlines Flight 2200 from Sacramento, CA to Dallas TX. While we were taxiing towards the terminal, the flight attendant spoke over the PA system. She said that all passengers flying American Airlines are very special people and that they treat us all like we are very special. She further said, "But today, we have some very very special people on board and that would be some returning armed forces personnel." There were about six GI's, in their respective uniforms aboard. She asked for a special gesture from everyone to allow them to leave the plane first after reaching the terminal. They did just that to a thundering applause from all of us passengers. I was very moved by the whole sequence of events. Larry   Joe Lippo Advanced Member Username: Momojoe Post Number: 398 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 138.163.106.72 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 02:42 pm:    This actually happened to me right after Desert Shield/Storm. We had flown to Okinawa on our plane (P-3C Orion) and were then informed that we were leaving the aircraft (and part of the crew) there to augment another squadron, and our commercial plane was leaving from Naha very soon. No time to change, the four of us that were going home had to rush to the airport. Upon arrival in our slightly stinky (and entirely unauthorized for wear off base) flight suits, we were immediately boarded on the JAL 747 to Tokyo and on to Seattle. We flew to Tokyo, had a short layover, and took off for Seattle. A JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Forces) Commander (in uniform) noticed our flight suits and struck up a conversation. Immediately upon learning that we were a returning P-3 crew, he marched straight to the flight attendant, had a quick conversation in Japanese with her, and the next thing you know, were are seated in first class, and given access to the upper lounge! Turns out that this particular JASDF Officer was the XO of one of the Japanese P-3 squadron in Naha, who was already seated in first class, and wanted to continue talking to us without standing around in coach. Interesting reasoning, but who in their right mind turns down a first class seat?   Mike Senior Member Username: Immerfertig Post Number: 2140 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 75.132.184.202 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 02:03 am:    I was on a Delta flight a couple years back and there were 10 or so Army personnel in uniform traveling together as a group. There was one open 1st class seat and just prior to departure the flight attendant asked the senior ranking person if he would like to switch seats to 1st class. Without hesitating, he turned to the NCO beside him and asked, "Sargent xxx, who is our youngest troop?" "Oh, that would be Private xxx." "Good, have him come up here and take this 1st class seat." _   Ed Williams Senior Member Username: Hooter55 Post Number: 718 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 24.96.140.175 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 01:48 am:    I was on a leisure trip to Miami a couple of years ago and on my way back bumped into an Army Major friend of mine who worked a couple of desks over at USTRANSCOM. She was in uniform and a gentleman approached her to give her a first class seat (his wife's....she couldn't make the flight for some reason). My friend thoroughly enjoyed the seat....spent most of it from Miami to St. Louis sleeping. But the gesture was tops!   John David Brooks Senior Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 417 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 01:35 am:    It happens far more than we hear about it. Despite popular belief, there are still lots of patriotic businesses out there, and more than a few patriotic citizens. Thanks for letting us know about those random (and sometimes not-so-random) acts of kindness. Nice to know we still have some goodness left in us.   Karen Yan Advanced Member Username: Karenyan Post Number: 337 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 67.246.180.158 Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 11:57 pm:    That's really wonderful when that happens. Although Southwest is my favorite commercial airline, I noticed in my travels that Delta seems to bump military in BDU's up to first class. I respect Delta for doing that. I saw it happen on every one of my 4-part Delta trips last year during Christmas time.   bcbrady Member Username: Bcbrady Post Number: 31 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 72.81.222.119 Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 11:18 pm:    From my husband on a business trip - "I was waiting in line to get on my plane when a businessman came up to the soldier (in uniform) standing next to me and traded his first class seat with the soldier so the guy coming home from the war could have a little more leg room. Thought that was very nice..."