- Sep 10, 2003
- 478
- 51
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.......
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.......
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 
