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Can I Be Special Too?

Copyright (c) 2005, W. David Tarver

This past Monday my son Aaron and I traveled to Jamaica for Aaron's spring break.  Flying on the day after Easter was kind of a hassle, but we managed to make our way to Newark Airport and onto the plane without incident.  After I was safely ensconced in my airplane seat, I started to reflect upon the sorry state of airline travel today, and how airlines are dividing customers into different classes to compensate.

Our trip up to Newark Airport started out with a quick stop at the local 7-11.  On most mornings, I opt for the "premium" coffee at Zebu or Starbuck's or NoJoe's, but for some reason when I am heading up to the airport I always get my coffee at 7-11. "Special" coffee on most days, but "normal" coffee on the way to the airport.  Must be a subconscious way of preparing myself for the delightful airline coffee.

Feeling excited about going to Jamaica and charged by the 7-11 coffee swirling in my belly, I arrived with Aaron at the Continental terminal.  Since I fly Continental a lot, I have "elite" status with the airline.  That means, among other things, that I don't have to stand in the regular lines for service, I get to stand in line with other "elites" and first class passengers.  On the day after Easter, this helped a lot because the regular lines at check in and security were pretty long.  Aaron and I got to our departure gate with plenty of time to spare, and we even had time for breakfast at the food court near the gate.

Soon it was time to board the plane.  Fortunately Aaron and I got to board first since we are "elites".  There was a special blue carpet for "elites" at the departure gate, and we sauntered down the carpet and onto the plane like the very special people we are.  The long line of regular passengers stood behind a velvet rope while the "elite" passengers strolled down the blue carpet and onto the plane.  Some of the regular passengers looked frustrated by the special treatment that the "elites" were given, but others seemed to have a resigned look on their faces that said, "Can I be special, too?"

Even though I take advantage of my "elite" customer status, I resent it.  Why can't everyone get good service?  I think the airlines do this "elite customer" stuff because it costs them very little and it makes frequent flyers feel better about the overall poor service they are getting.  It is as if the airlines want us to say, "My knees are stuffed into my chest and my 'meal' is barely edible, but at least I get to board the plane first!"

These days, elite or not, I am just happy and thankful to get to my destination in one piece.  Now Aaron and I have a week to spend in Jamaica to golf and play tennis and lie on the beach, and that is very special indeed.

W. David Tarver

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

March 30, 2005