Readers Who Write

When I worked for Intuit, one of my responsibilities was conflict resolution.

If someone called in with a complaint or concern, their assigned consultant would usually be able to resolve the issue. But when a business owner is having software issues that are having a negative impact on payroll, inventory management or sales processing, their temper is usually on edge. Sometimes the initial words out of their mouth are so colorful, even guys in a gym locker room would blush. Those are the calls that would be transferred to me. I loved my job.

Let’s look at the other side of that spectrum,; the “happy” consumer. Well, my story today is more about compliments than complaints. Yes, I would like to share with you a warm-and-fuzzy that one particular company constantly bestowed upon me. That company is American Airlines! That’s right, AA is the leader of the pack for me, and here are a few of my reasons why.

During the pre-Intuit years, I worked in the medical technology industry, traveling globally, sometimes as much as 200 days a year. This job had some amazing perks, like being able to take my wife, Kerry, on their dime. I also got to keep my frequent flyer miles. Even though I used every airline out there, it was American that drew me in as a loyal Platinum AAdvantage frequent flier with over a million frequent flier miles on account. If there was an empty seat in the front of the bus (first or business class), I would be upgraded immediately. That was a long time ago. It took me almost a decade to use up those accumulated mile credits. Today, my balance is 3,500 miles. One needs a minimum of 30,000 miles for a free domestic ticket.

Kerry and I just returned from a trip to Florida. Having Parkinson’s for a decade now, I’ve learned a secret or two about making life easier when it counts. For example, boarding an aircraft into a coach seat (basic, no-leg-room) means I would most likely be in one of the last boarding groups. That guarantees there will be no overhead space. Yes, my carry on would have to go beneath the seat in front of me, leaving me almost no room for my feet. Once at cruising altitude I would reposition my feet from beside my carry on, to on top. My knees would thank me later.

Because people with Parkinson’s move a little slower, every airline will allow pre-boarding, when asked. It really helps! On our return flight from Miami to Phoenix, when I asked about pre-boarding, they not only obliged, they also moved us into the “Main Cabin Extra” seating and blocked the middle seat so Kerry and I could stretch out during the four-and-a-half-hour flight.

The craziest thing for me was seeing main cabin passengers trying to use the first-class bathroom. Every one of them was directed to the bathrooms in the rear. When I got up, the attendant asked me if I was heading for the bathroom; I said yes. She escorted me to the first-class bathroom and told me that I could use it anytime. After landing and reaching our gate, the attendant and the captain greeted each passenger as they left the aircraft. When Kerry and I reached the exit, I looked at the attendant and said, “I’ll take that soda now!” The captain laughed as my attendant turned towards the galley to get me a drink. I replied with a “just kidding” smile.

The question I ponder is: Was their kindness due to sympathy for my having Parkinson’s or could they see my AAdvantage miles history from two decades ago? Either way, I love American Airlines, and always will.

So you say you want to write?

Go for it.

Send us 500 or so words of scintillating copy. Make it funny. Make it poignant. Make it count. Make it any way you want.

Just don’t cuss. Don’t be boring. And have a point.

If we like it, we’ll run it.

Email submissions to community@rv-times.com. Put “Readers Who Write” in the subject line, and tell us the city where you live.