Pay it forward - a little kindness towards airline employees goes a long way

I have said more times than I can count . . . be nice to airline and airport employees and it will go a long way when you need something.  Today my thoughts on this topic were validated and it came from the employee’s mouth herself.

My flight was delayed (usual day, right?).  Knowing how the east coast airports operate and start to domino delay in the afternoon, I waited in a long line at the airline club service desk to see if I could be added to the stand-by list for another flight.  I mentioned my flight was delayed and said I wanted to see if she could please add me to the stand-by list for an earlier flight.  As she was looking in her computer, she commented on “how nicely I presented that”, in that I was open to the fact she may not be able to help me, I said please, and was friendly.  She mentioned that the gentleman she had waited on before me told her what she “better do" for him. 

Do we expect more from toddlers than road warriors??

I have a just-turned 4 year old at home . . . and we talk alllllll the time about “not listening”.  I decided today though, sometimes adults and road warriors are not much better.  Our flight today was delayed (as usual),  and everyone was lined up impatiently in their boarding zone rows as they had been since waaay before boarding time.  The arriving flight was delayed (hence the cause for ours) and the flight attendant asked everyone already lined up to please move to the side so those deplaning had enough room to do so.  She made the first announcement . . . some people moved.  She made the second announcement . . . no one moved.  The man in front of me actually said “if she says it a third time we’ll know she’s serious.”  Are we all that important we don’t listen to requests anymore?  Is whatever we are looking at on our smart phone that much more important?  Everyone criticizes airline employees, yet  they deal with these types of things every day.  Now I will admit, I enjoy every perk of having “status” and “priority” while on the road as I put in all the miles and hours and trips to do it.  However, are we as business travelers even above listening to requests?  Things we expect of our toddlers such as “please”, “thank you”, being kind to others, and yes listening go a long way when traveling.  Let's go treat others as we would want to be treated and have some safe travels this week!