A Rewarding Vacation
Other than a five-day journey in June to Long Island for our great-niece’s high school graduation, we didn’t get a long break until late September, when we flew to Florida.
What a vacation! We had dinner with an author whose book I edited three years ago. Spent time with our oldest granddaughter and her husband. And visited several old friends, including a couple from my high school graduating class.
However, I never imagined that two of the most remarkable experiences would take place on the day of our return trip.
It all started at the airport, where we dreaded a long hike from the rental car outlet to the airline’s counter.
When my wife sighed, “I guess we’ll have to walk,” the woman who checked in our vehicle said, “I can take you. Hop in.”
Pleasant Drive
A short drive sure beat a long walk while each of us rolled a piece of luggage (with laptop bag balanced on my suitcase handle).
After my wife grabbed her luggage and headed into the terminal, I took out my wallet. I intended to give the agent a five-dollar bill, but saw that I only had two ones, a ten, and a twenty.
At first hesitating, I said, “Guess you’re going to get a good tip” and handed her the ten-dollar bill.
Her smile lit up the airport as she exclaimed, “Thanks!”
Losing My Mind
Reflecting a bit later, I was glad that I had chosen to be more generous than parting with the pair of dollar bills.
Many service workers earn only modest incomes. When we visit restaurants, we tip generously—and in cash, since waitresses tell us they get to keep more than when a tip goes on a card.
Since rental car company folks likely fall in the same camp, I was glad to have made that agent’s day.
Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough on my feet to offer a tip to the stewardess who soon after saved my hide.
It happened as we were waiting to board our flight. It took longer for everyone from the arriving flight to deplane, which moved our departure back a half-hour.
My wife wanted to get in the screening line, but I told her it would be a good idea for me to visit the restroom before boarding.
When I returned, I followed her closer to the line and slowly started toward the gate to show our boarding passes.
Then, as we wove our way down the entryway, I had a pleasant chat with a West Virginia native. Coach of a women’s basketball team at a major university in Florida, she was returning home to visit family.
On our flight down, we had been seated in the last row. But on our return trip, we found ourselves near the front. As we prepared to sit, my wife asked, “Where’s your laptop bag?”
Stewardess Rescue
While I can’t say I’m a veteran of panic attacks, in that instant, I felt like I must be having one. Frantic, I turned to dash off the plane and back to the gate.
Holding up her hand, a stewardess said, “I need you to take your seat.” When I explained my problem, she asked what the bag looked like and where I had been sitting.
A few minutes later, I saw her carrying my familiar bag, rescued by a gate agent. While it held my old backup laptop, used mainly for Zoom calls, losing it would have been a serious headache. Later, as we deplaned, I thanked the stewardess profusely.
If a waitress, ticket agent, or other service worker makes your day, show them the appreciation they deserve.
