One of my choir pals is a flight attendant, and I got this note from him yesterday, written after he read our earlier discussion of holiday gifts. Do you have a sweet holiday gift story to share?
Airlines fly on all holidays and Christmas is one of them. Last year, I had done 4 flights out of Minneapolis on Christmas day. My last flight of the night had me going to St Cloud, MN. This passenger asked me where I was from and if I were going to see my family for the holiday. I replied “no ma’am, I am flying 3 more days and tonight I am here in St Cloud and I live in Memphis.” She handed me a card that was addressed “My Flight Crew”. When I opened it …
she had included 3 gift certificates to Starbucks. The cards I think had 5.00 each on them but it was the thought and the kindness of her. I couldn’t help it and hugged her and broke down in tears later that night.
I guess I just wanted to share with your readers that “many” people still have to work on Christmas and other meaningful holidays and are away from our loved ones, too. But, being in the airline industry, we will get the passenger to their family on Christmas day if they are flying.
The passenger and I have remained friends via e-mails and I hope to see her again one day when flying through Minneapolis.
Responses to “Something to think about as you’re flying this holiday.”
December 12th, 2006 at 11:42 am
I am the flight attendant the story is about. Because of this passengers kindness, it made eating the hotdog rolling on the thingy at a BP Gas Station a little better.
I know sometimes people don’t understand why sometimes flight attendants can be crass, but it’s Christmas hotdogs that get to us sometimes.
Whenever I fly now, I always carry some little bags of M&M’s or something to give the crew. It “might” be the only meal they will eat that day. Nutritious? No! But, chocolate is never a bad thing!
Tom
December 12th, 2006 at 6:15 am
Awww… sweet story. I don’t have one that good, but I do know that when I asked my gas station attendant last year how she was doing, having to work Christmas day, she said several customers had given her small gifts like cookies. I wish no one had to work Christmas but I’m very grateful that she was there to allow me to refill my tank. Thanks for a timely reminder of the people who keep things running even during the holidays.