Something nice to say...

[songbirdstew]

Over this last weekend, as a lowly RSV in PIT, I had to take a trip with a 0300 check in to work a charter flight. After getting up at 0100, I grumbled all the way to the airport and through security. We ferried down to Lafayette, La. to pick up 150 WWII veterens to take them to Washington DC to spend the day touring DCA and seeing the a few war memorials, especially the WWII memorial.

From what I understand, this program was started by a DJ somewhere who wanted these heroes to have the opportunity to get to our nation's capitol to see these memorials before it's "too late." The program is taking off around the country as we are losing 1800 WWII Vets a day.

On the flight I worked, the gentleman that raised the money for the event got on the PA to thank USAirways. He said that all other airlines they contacted wanted 100K to operate the charter but US only wanted half of that so he said that US had a big hand in making the trips possible. We had a US charter coordinator with us every step of the way.

In LFT, the vets walked down the jetway with a color guard lining it. We were met in DCA with a water canon across the aircraft and the rampers were all waving American flags. The American Legion met the plane w/ a band to welcome these heroes to Washington.

I'm posting this to let everyone know that every once in a while, US does good things. If you are an F/A or pilot and see this on a trip sheet and can hold it, jump on the chance to escort these fine men/women to DCA. It very well could be their last time on an airplane and we owe them so much for fighting for democracy and freedom not only for this country but around the world. I consider it one of the high points, if not the highest in my 21 years here....it wasn't a ball team charter, it wasn't a rock band or movie star...it was those who saw their brothers/sisters and friends die for this country.

Thanks US for not charging them an arm and a leg to make this dream come true.......

 

[robbedagain]

im proud that usair did this those vets sure are heroes

 

[Dilligas]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

It is good to hear from another perspective, I'm sure those of us who have lost so much and endured so much bs the last decade or so would be well served to take a few steps back and think of what these veterans endured and lost, to gain a better perspective on what is important in life. This airline drama is so insignificant in the larger scope of things.

Thank you to all the veterans for your service, and I appreciate you sharing your story. I'm glad US Airways was able to play a major part in making this happen for these veterans.

D

 

[freedom]

yeah that rocks! i think for once i now have something to A be proud of with this company and B i now have a GOOD story to tell people about us air


Hey to those of you in the company who helped to make this happen , thank you !

 

[Harry Callahan]

Great story & also thanks USAIRWAYS for getting one right. And to all our vets past & present. THANK YOU for your service & all you do.

 

[JoeDirt]

Finally USAirways got something right.....We owe that generation more than they will ever know. To all those involved in making this happen you have

something you can be proud of. You did it right. I am sure the crews involved were also proud to be a part of something wonderful. To all the veterans

out there both young and old I can never express enough gratitude for the sacrifice you have made for this country. When you see someone in the

airport in uniform stop shake their hand and tell them thank you. We owe them all at least that much.

To all the past and present service personal THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

 

[kao]

yeah that rocks! i think for once i now have something to A be proud of with this company and B i now have a GOOD story to tell people about us air
Hey to those of you in the company who helped to make this happen , thank you !

the charter department is a wonderful group...I know firsthand! It is like not even working for the same company....they are a wonderful, once again, group of people that make things happen! Kudos!!!

 

[YVINTERN]

I'm glad to hear that 🙂 My friend is working a Charter today for the Boston Symphony Concert group from LGA-NYC...Although not as momentous as chartering a flight for veterans but he told me about the good old days where US would help non profit organizations w/ charter flights that did not cost an arm or a leg 😉

 

[SS255]

Thanks for posting this. US deserves to be acknowledged for its positive achievements just as much as it deserves to be ridiculed for its failures. I'm glad they stepped up for this important event.

 

[N965VJ]

Wow, what a nice thing to do!

 

[PA18]

I was arriving in DCA a couple of weeks ago and saw the other end of one of these charters.

The Greatest Generation members were returning to the airport for their flight home. It was a Saturday late afternoon, so the terminal was practically deserted; but it was decorated with balloons, flags, and a big sign commemorating these most special VIP's.

There was also 40's dance music playing, and several couples who grew up on those tunes were demonstrating right there in the middle of the concourse that they haven't lost a step on the dance floor all these decades later.

Very tastefully and respectfully done.

 

[LGA777]

I'm glad to hear that 🙂 My friend is working a Charter today for the Boston Symphony Concert group from LGA-NYC...Although not as momentous as chartering a flight for veterans but he told me about the good old days where US would help non profit organizations w/ charter flights that did not cost an arm or a leg 😉

The BOS Pops are long time regular Charter Customers of US and even though I understand DL is a major corporate sponsor they can't afford to use DL for Charters due to the big differance in price between DL and US. They are also very Happy Customers of US.

The WW2 Vets Charters sounds like a great thing, there was a Doug Parker column in the US magazine about these a few months ago.

Songbirdstew thanks for posting this and just curious what aircraft type you worked that day ?

Cheers

LGA777

 

[USCREW]

the charter department is a wonderful group...I know firsthand! It is like not even working for the same company....they are a wonderful, once again, group of people that make things happen! Kudos!!!

Most of our charters are not all for a good cause! I've worked many of them.

 

[kao]

Most of our charters are not all for a good cause! I've worked many of them.

did i stay that? huh I said that the charter work group whom handles it/sets it up....trust me I have worked some miserable charters myself.....

 

[N965VJ]

Most of our charters are not all for a good cause! I've worked many of them.

But the leftover food is pretty good.

Who remembers Charter Connie in PIT?