Pre 9/11 Airline Story

[jima7011]

I was reminded of this thing that happened to me a long time ago. I relate this story as it happened to me and I think demonstrates just how much the aviation industry has changed in the long haul. I know that times have changed but see just how much--this is a TRUE STORY--It happened to me.

In 1988 I was a young US Marine stationed at Cherry Point. Well, back then a *certain airline* flew MD-80's (or 83's or 88's-I can't remember the exact type) from RDU to ISP where I grew up. Those that have been to ISP in the 80's know it wasn't a great big airport but it was serving the Long Island area and pretty convienient compared to JFK and LGA. Usually I flew *a smaller airline* into LGA because they flew from EWN (which is close to Cherry Point) but I had a discounted fare (it was like $360 round trip) so I took the * a certain airlines* flight. I went home on leave and had fun. When it came time to return to Cherry Point, my mom drove me to the airport. She went to the gate to see me off but I bought her lunch in the terminal resturant first. Anyway, after lunch we went to the gate and chatted briefly before I boarded the aircraft. After boarding I took my seat and settled in for the flight. Back then the Mad Dawgs were still pretty new so I was pretty impressed with the airplane. Anyway, the aircraft pushed back and did the engine start routine and was getting ready to taxi for takeoff but it just sits there.
Everyone starts mumbling and for a few minutes the aircraft just continues to sit there. We hear the PA start up and first thing I think of is a delay or something but it's the Captain. He's asking if there is a US Marine on board by the name of Jim Mylastname! I raise my hand and the FA waives me to the front of the aircraft. She pops the door open and I am standing there seeing my mom running with a gate attendant out of the gate to the aircraft! They arrive to the side of the aircraft and tosses up my wallet! Evidently (and get this and see if this happens nowadays) I left the wallet in the resturant but the waitress overheard that I was on the RDU flight--the manager ran down to the gate where my mom was waiting and handed it to the gate attendant. She was in the process of making an announcement wheen my mom recognized the wallet and told her I was a Marine on the flight that was taxiing. She called someone to stop the aircraft and it did--they ran it out to me. My mom waived to me and they went back to the terminal, I went sheepishly back to my seat among a bunch of passengers that were grinning ear to ear. While it was slightly embarrassing that my mom was still "caring after her tough US Marine son", I was secretly thankful that I wouldn't have to deal with my SgtMaj and a lost military ID.

I learned 3 things that day--

1. Always keep track of my wallet.
2. Moms are irreplacable
3. Good customer service is never forgotten.

Number 3 because to this day--whenever I can, I fly that airline and I fly A LOT (~50k miles a year).

[cencal83406]

Originally Posted by jima7011

I was reminded of this thing that happened to me a long time ago. I relate this story as it happened to me and I think demonstrates just how much the aviation industry has changed in the long haul. I know that times have changed but see just how much--this is a TRUE STORY--It happened to me.

In 1988 I was a young US Marine stationed at Cherry Point. Well, back then a *certain airline* flew MD-80's (or 83's or 88's-I can't remember the exact type) from RDU to ISP where I grew up. Those that have been to ISP in the 80's know it wasn't a great big airport but it was serving the Long Island area and pretty convienient compared to JFK and LGA. Usually I flew *a smaller airline* into LGA because they flew from EWN (which is close to Cherry Point) but I had a discounted fare (it was like $360 round trip) so I took the * a certain airlines* flight. I went home on leave and had fun. When it came time to return to Cherry Point, my mom drove me to the airport. She went to the gate to see me off but I bought her lunch in the terminal resturant first. Anyway, after lunch we went to the gate and chatted briefly before I boarded the aircraft. After boarding I took my seat and settled in for the flight. Back then the Mad Dawgs were still pretty new so I was pretty impressed with the airplane. Anyway, the aircraft pushed back and did the engine start routine and was getting ready to taxi for takeoff but it just sits there.
Everyone starts mumbling and for a few minutes the aircraft just continues to sit there. We hear the PA start up and first thing I think of is a delay or something but it's the Captain. He's asking if there is a US Marine on board by the name of Jim Mylastname! I raise my hand and the FA waives me to the front of the aircraft. She pops the door open and I am standing there seeing my mom running with a gate attendant out of the gate to the aircraft! They arrive to the side of the aircraft and tosses up my wallet! Evidently (and get this and see if this happens nowadays) I left the wallet in the resturant but the waitress overheard that I was on the RDU flight--the manager ran down to the gate where my mom was waiting and handed it to the gate attendant. She was in the process of making an announcement wheen my mom recognized the wallet and told her I was a Marine on the flight that was taxiing. She called someone to stop the aircraft and it did--they ran it out to me. My mom waived to me and they went back to the terminal, I went sheepishly back to my seat among a bunch of passengers that were grinning ear to ear. While it was slightly embarrassing that my mom was still "caring after her tough US Marine son", I was secretly thankful that I wouldn't have to deal with my SgtMaj and a lost military ID.

I learned 3 things that day--

1. Always keep track of my wallet.
2. Moms are irreplacable
3. Good customer service is never forgotten.

Number 3 because to this day--whenever I can, I fly that airline and I fly A LOT (~50k miles a year).

That's a great story! One thing I really miss about flying is the whole "meet or wave off your party at the gate". I know there are probably going to be people who grumble that it's made things smoother and less crowded.... with whom I will agree. However, I think some of the mystique of the airline experience was saying goodbye or hello to your loved-ones immediately prior/post long flight. I know when I was little I always looked forward to making it up the jetway to see my parents. With all this extra "security" we have, I don't really see what the big deal would be anyways.

[WAFlyBoy]

A great story indeed. Today, I doubt your wallet would have made it any further than the restaurant lost and found (forever).

[darrenf]

Great story. That might be worth $100 from Readers Digest.

[DeltaAVL]

Yep, American Airlines has always served me with utmost respect as well.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Great story! Still don't know why 6 yrs. post 9/11 no one without a ticket can go to the gate!

Window shop dressing security I guess!

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Great story! Still don't know why 6 yrs. post 9/11 no one without a ticket can go to the gate!

Window shop dressing security I guess!

Because most of the time there is no good reason to go to the gate.

It has to do with real security.

[darrenf]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

It has to do with real security.

Oh, so this is NOT the TSA's doing.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Because most of the time there is no good reason to go to the gate.

It has to do with real security.

Says you...some of us grew up being dropped off at the airport at from 9-5pm!

You know packing a lunch and running from concourse to concourse to get a better vantage point to watch planes landing and takeoff.

Depending on which runways was in use!

[secretapproach]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Great story! Still don't know why 6 yrs. post 9/11 no one without a ticket can go to the gate!

Window shop dressing security I guess!

Can you imagine the lines if even every third passenger had one non-ticketed person with them? It would be a great thing for families, but security lines would be even more of a nightmare than they already are.

[Airdale]

Thats a really cool story man!! Thanks for your service to our Country!

I remember when I was a child, my Grandfather would always take me to the airport to pick up my Aunt when she flew in once a month. You couldn't pull my face from the glass if you tried. Now a days, you just can't go and do that anymore. Its ashame, I wonder how many young kids, aspiring aviators, get to do what we did years ago.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by secretapproach

Can you imagine the lines if even every third passenger had one non-ticketed person with them? It would be a great thing for families, but security lines would be even more of a nightmare than they already are.

True, I had forgetten to factor in the TSA and their false sense of security that they offer.

So, yea I agree it would be bad.

But, still those were the days...

[jima7011]

Originally Posted by DeltaAVL

Yep, American Airlines has always served me with utmost respect as well.