I really am.
In the large sense, I have a good job, a nice home, a healthy and loving family.
And sometimes, I get a chance to do some really cool stuff. Like this week.
I belong to a Facebook group made up of people who are frequent flyers on Delta. It’s an exclusive group. In order to be a member, you have to prove that you have attained the highest level of Delta’s frequent flyer program – Diamond Medallion. Many of those in the group fly a great deal more than I do – and I fly a lot! Some of them are serious “aviation geeks”, doing things like tracking individual aircraft – where they fly, when they get maintenance, etc.
A couple of months ago, one of those people figured out that after Sept 5, 2017, Delta did not have any more domestic flights scheduled for their Boeing 747 airplanes. They were able to determine that the last scheduled flight within the US would be a redeye flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Detroit (DTW). Someone suggested that it would be fun to have everyone meet up and take part in that historic flight.
And thus began a “thing”.
The members of the Facebook group bought up all but a couple of the first class seats. I had never flown on a 747 and didn’t want to miss the chance. I was able to get a seat in Premium Economy using my frequent flyer miles. We had t-shirts made for our group. It seemed like it would be a kick.
And then Delta found out. And decided to help us celebrate. They put on a party. A party that started before the plane left Honolulu for Los Angeles. They draped they plane with leis, held a private party in their Sky Club – with a band, hula dancers and cake. They had gifts for the group, to commemorate this final flight. When the plane landed in Los Angeles, there was a second party. Delta closed off part of the Sky Club for our group, had food catered, an open bar, more gifts. They had media people there, taking pictures and interviewing the participants.
The party continued onto the plane. It was easy to tell that everyone -passengers *and* crew had feelings about this last flight. As we pushed back from the gate at least 50 ground crew stood and waved as we puled away. The crew was awesome.
When we arrived in Detroit the captain asked our group to gather in the gate area after we deplaned for a group photo, and then we were escorted to the Sky Club for yet another party, with Mimosas and gifts.
Every Delta employee that I met that day seemed genuinely happy to be part or our celebration and really gave 100%.
I am incredibly lucky. Lucky to have a job that enables me to travel. Lucky to have a family that puts up with it. Lucky to be able to choose who I fly with. Lucky to have been a part of this historic event.
Someone told me years ago that experiences are better than things. Truth.
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