Critique Requested
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001
Dear
Mr Bates
It happened last week at Sea-Tac, as I was swilling the last drop of frothy chilled soda around the bottom of its cold glass.
My travel wallet, half open on the table revealed a photo of Jessica, my wife of five-years. As I gazed at the 6 x 4 and drifted into my own little world: as I do when thinking of her. I heard a sharp clunk through the lounge glass: and quickly turned.
Across my shoulder; I squinted out from my snug Sky Club chair and saw a middle aged man much like myself. Outside the lounge in the main boarding area. He stumbled hastily with his carry on.
To the point where he eventually spilled his own canned soda into his belongings. I recognized the shear horror on his face immediately.
The look of a man who had just soaked his passport: and a flicker hope in his eyes that the TSA would allow him on the flight.
Most would of sniggered, I gently frowned.
You see, I had only seen this man for a second. But I knew right away how he felt. Rendering his passport unreadable was one thing, ruining the photo of his wife was another.
In a world where digital memories are fleeting at best. Those paper stamped imprints of our loved ones mean so much. They make travelling worth while for me. Something to smile at as I count the hours left.
Before I see my Jessica again.
I joined Delta Sky Club around a year before: after an identical incident. That gut wrenching: heart stopping realization that you may have just blown your chance to fly today.
We are all just a rushed soda away from heartache. We are all: each one of us, a few rushed steps away from disaster.
And having sat for the 11 hours across the Atlantic from Sea-tac to Charles De Gaulle on that day of my identical accident. I couldn't help wonder two things.
How on earth security had accepted my passport. And how sad the flight had been. Not having Jessica propped up against the seat tray. Of course I'm not suggesting: that you too carry a photo of your loved one during long flights.
I'm not a mind reader. But I know that everyone has a routine.
A good luck charm. Something they do or carry about their person to make flying the best it can be.
Sure Delta offer outstanding service and industry leading levels of comfort. But inside us all is a little world we call home.
And the fragments of love and familiarity we carry with that world: are so important to us.
A day or so after I had landed in France: I called and joined Delta Sky Club. The comfy chairs and superior meals and drinks were nice: in the sky club lounges. But it was really the other benefits that sold me. Not having to rush because I had pre security clearance.
Not having to stress about seating as I could cherry pick my best seat: and given access to board a good while before anyone else. Which in turn gave me more time to rest in the club lounge and enjoy a beer and sandwich. Even take a shower if I needed to.
All while the staff made sure the satellite TV had the latest news. And the Wall Street Journal sat open among the other newspapers set out for my convenience.
But oddly enough I still didn't join Sky Club for those reasons.
No the real reason I joined Delta Sky Club is because after my incident, with my soda soaked passport. I had resolved to never again let stress dictate my life. To never rush or be rushed.
Because if the consequence was not seeing Jessica for my lonely flight back to France. Then frankly it wasn't worth it.
Of course every person is different. I can no more convince you to join Delta Sky Club: as you could convince me that it isn't worth the money.
In those circumstances we would both be stubbornly self assured.
But for me, flying is always easier when I have comfort and peace of mind. When I know that the end of the journey, is going to be as settled and cosy as the start.
And that the bit in the middle is just right. And for me being just right.... is seeing that 6 x 4 of Jessica.
11 hours without her long auburn hair and crystal blue eyes would seem like an eternity.
But every time I relax back into my chair, and smile at her.
I remind myself why I pay the $495 annual fee.
I pay it because it sure beats the hell out of dashing around.
What do you need to make your flight "just so"? Or more importantly, what do you intend to take advantage of when you sign up?
Have a great flight next time you fly Delta.
And I will see you in the Sky Club Lounge.
P.S - I know you are smart enough to understand... that the guy I saw.
Was just a ghostly memory of myself a year earlier. But that's the beauty of Sky Club. It allows you to reflect on how far you have come in life. A privilege for those that have earned it.
Sincerely
Jack Larson
Delta Sky Club Member
Tacoma
Washington
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001
Dear
Mr Bates
It happened last week at Sea-Tac, as I was swilling the last drop of frothy chilled soda around the bottom of its cold glass.
My travel wallet, half open on the table revealed a photo of Jessica, my wife of five-years. As I gazed at the 6 x 4 and drifted into my own little world: as I do when thinking of her. I heard a sharp clunk through the lounge glass: and quickly turned.
Across my shoulder; I squinted out from my snug Sky Club chair and saw a middle aged man much like myself. Outside the lounge in the main boarding area. He stumbled hastily with his carry on.
To the point where he eventually spilled his own canned soda into his belongings. I recognized the shear horror on his face immediately.
The look of a man who had just soaked his passport: and a flicker hope in his eyes that the TSA would allow him on the flight.
Most would of sniggered, I gently frowned.
You see, I had only seen this man for a second. But I knew right away how he felt. Rendering his passport unreadable was one thing, ruining the photo of his wife was another.
In a world where digital memories are fleeting at best. Those paper stamped imprints of our loved ones mean so much. They make travelling worth while for me. Something to smile at as I count the hours left.
Before I see my Jessica again.
I joined Delta Sky Club around a year before: after an identical incident. That gut wrenching: heart stopping realization that you may have just blown your chance to fly today.
We are all just a rushed soda away from heartache. We are all: each one of us, a few rushed steps away from disaster.
And having sat for the 11 hours across the Atlantic from Sea-tac to Charles De Gaulle on that day of my identical accident. I couldn't help wonder two things.
How on earth security had accepted my passport. And how sad the flight had been. Not having Jessica propped up against the seat tray. Of course I'm not suggesting: that you too carry a photo of your loved one during long flights.
I'm not a mind reader. But I know that everyone has a routine.
A good luck charm. Something they do or carry about their person to make flying the best it can be.
Sure Delta offer outstanding service and industry leading levels of comfort. But inside us all is a little world we call home.
And the fragments of love and familiarity we carry with that world: are so important to us.
A day or so after I had landed in France: I called and joined Delta Sky Club. The comfy chairs and superior meals and drinks were nice: in the sky club lounges. But it was really the other benefits that sold me. Not having to rush because I had pre security clearance.
Not having to stress about seating as I could cherry pick my best seat: and given access to board a good while before anyone else. Which in turn gave me more time to rest in the club lounge and enjoy a beer and sandwich. Even take a shower if I needed to.
All while the staff made sure the satellite TV had the latest news. And the Wall Street Journal sat open among the other newspapers set out for my convenience.
But oddly enough I still didn't join Sky Club for those reasons.
No the real reason I joined Delta Sky Club is because after my incident, with my soda soaked passport. I had resolved to never again let stress dictate my life. To never rush or be rushed.
Because if the consequence was not seeing Jessica for my lonely flight back to France. Then frankly it wasn't worth it.
Of course every person is different. I can no more convince you to join Delta Sky Club: as you could convince me that it isn't worth the money.
In those circumstances we would both be stubbornly self assured.
But for me, flying is always easier when I have comfort and peace of mind. When I know that the end of the journey, is going to be as settled and cosy as the start.
And that the bit in the middle is just right. And for me being just right.... is seeing that 6 x 4 of Jessica.
11 hours without her long auburn hair and crystal blue eyes would seem like an eternity.
But every time I relax back into my chair, and smile at her.
I remind myself why I pay the $495 annual fee.
I pay it because it sure beats the hell out of dashing around.
What do you need to make your flight "just so"? Or more importantly, what do you intend to take advantage of when you sign up?
Have a great flight next time you fly Delta.
And I will see you in the Sky Club Lounge.
P.S - I know you are smart enough to understand... that the guy I saw.
Was just a ghostly memory of myself a year earlier. But that's the beauty of Sky Club. It allows you to reflect on how far you have come in life. A privilege for those that have earned it.
Sincerely
Jack Larson
Delta Sky Club Member
Tacoma
Washington
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
all day long." - Earl Nightingale
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