Passengers Give Troops First-Class Seats

[darrels joy]

Passengers Give Troops First-Class Seats
NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, July 15, 2004

DALLAS ? Eight soldiers flying home from Iraq for two weeks of R&R flew in style instead of coach after first-class passengers offered to swap seats with them.

"The soldiers were very, very happy, and the whole aircraft had a different feeling," flight attendant Lorrie Gammon told The Dallas Morning News in Thursday's editions.
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The June 29 seat-swap on American Airlines Flight 866 from Atlanta to Chicago started before boarding, when a businessman approached one of the soldiers and traded his seat.
When the swapping was done, "the other two first-class passengers wanted to give up their seats, too, but they couldn't find any more soldiers," Gammon said.

Another flight attendant, Candi Spradlin, said she was impressed with the acts of good will.

"If nothing else, those soldiers got a great homecoming," she said.



? 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[firemedic]

Does my heart good to hear this story. HooYah!

[revwardoc]

When I was going back to Norton AFB in October '71 from leave, I had a 2/3 military reservation. Just before the flight boarded, they called all the GI's up to the desk. I thought, "Great, we've been bumped!" Instead, we were given free upgrades to 1st class and, even better, they didn't lose our luggage!

[reeb]

jOY,

I seen that on the news, and got all teary eyed.

Just goes to prove that are GOOD Citizens in this world.

Thanks for putting this post on.

enough.......

[DMZ-LT]

What Reeb said. I came home alone , in the dark and got to freezing Newark in the winter in Khaki's. Thanks Joy , notice the flight started in Atlanta

[Boats]

I was in uniform completed first tour VN and hadn't been home in about 2+ years. I was on standby trying to get a seat.

Meanwhile I was talking to some three piece suit and he asked me where I was going and what I had been doing. Small talk ya know.

The plane was full and I was on standby but they called my name.
I got my ticket and borded. I was all the way in the back of the plane and they called my name on the speaker - I said oh no I've been bumped. I raised my hand and they asked me to grab my things and come forward.

The 3-pc suit paid the difference and put me in first class. Now that was a nice surprise. I sat next to him and thanked him for his generosity he said that was the least he could do.

Never forgot that.