LiveMore Adventures

Recently I was flying to Reykjavik Iceland from JFK airport in New York. After braving two hours of public transit from my friend’s apartment on Madison Ave in the city I arrived at JFK toting my 53 pound wheeled duffel bag. As I pulled up to the counter and laid my bag on the scale I asked for an exit row (as I always do for the leg room). She replied “sir, your bag is over weight!” I am thinking that’s just great now I have to hold up the line as I rearrange things into two bags so I will be three pounds under. (I have never under stood how a plane all of a sudden can carry more baggage if you pay money. Are you paying to extend the wing span or extra fuel to get you off the ground?)

As I am about to open up my bag and start moving things around the ticket agent asks me if I am Mr. Stratton as she is looking at my passport. I reply “yes,” she says “oh you are flying Executive Class don’t worry about the weight you have a higher weight limit. Let me see if I can get you an empty row.” She really didn’t think the ticket was for me at first because I asked for an exit row. What an idiot I am, but I really had know idea as the ticket was provided by Iceland Air who was sponsoring the event I was attending in Reykjavik. Her whole attitude change toward me when the last thing she said was “Mr. Stratton you can use the British Airways Executive Lounge past security up the stairs to your right, enjoy your flight.” At this point I could hardly contain my excitement but I had to act super casual, “great thanks” I replied and sprinted up the stairs to full advantage of the lounge.

There is nothing better than being surprised with a First Class ticket after you have traveled over 112,000 km on planes to 5 continents in the last 12 months!!

Shawn.

Here is a note I just sent to the Long Island Railroad at Penn Station in NYC.

I have been meaning to write for a couple weeks now to let you know of a very kind ticket agent.

As a guy from small town Canada, visiting NYC can be very intimidating especially Penn Station with the thousands of people going in every direction. Well I was so concerned about getting the right train on time to JFK I left my wallet at the ticket counter after I bought my ticket. As I was on my way to the airport to fly home it would have been devastating to lose my wallet. Once I found my track to Jamaica Station I dragged my bags down the stairs and was just about to board the car when the ticket agent that had sold me the ticket found me in the middle of hundreds of people rushing to get the train. All he said was “did you just buy a ticket from me?” I replied yes, and he said “you forgot this” and then he was gone. Holy crap I could not believe it!!!!!!

The magnitude and chances of what happened started to sink in as I took my seat. Who ever says New Yorkers are not friendly probably has not visited New York!!

Thank you soooooo much!!

Shawn Stratton
Vancouver, BC Canada.————-

This is a letter I just received from the Long Island Rail Road in response to the note I sent them.

Hope you take the time to write someone that has helped you archive success your made you smile in the last day, week, year.

———————-
Thank you for your e-mail commending an MTA Long Island Rail Road employee who assisted you on February 11, 2008.

We deeply appreciate it when customers take the time to inform us of outstanding customer service. I was delighted to learn that a ticket clerk at Penn Station made an extraordinary, and successful, effort to locate you and return your wallet, which you had inadvertently left at the ticket counter. The initiative and integrity he displayed are among the most important qualities we train and encourage our employees to exhibit.

A copy of your e-mail has been forwarded to our Passenger Services Department so that he can be identified and recognized for his efforts. A portion of your letter may be published in our weekly employee newsletter, Track Record, to exemplify for our employees the type of service that they all should strive to offer.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience with us, and thank you for riding the LIRR. I hope you enjoyed your stay in New York City, and visit us again soon.

Sincerely,

T. Nespeco
Manager - Public Affairs