FLL from Nonrev Viewpoint
I wanted to share this from a nonrev pal I've helped a few times w/loads since she flies on BPs from her BIL:
The horrible shooting at Fort Lauderdale International Airport broke my heart. I am deeply saddened by all senseless violence and terrorism; but, this one hits so close to home. Fort Lauderdale is my home, Delta Airlines is my airline, and traveling is my passion. This letter is to express my sympathy and to say Thank You to Delta Airlines. Over the last 25 years, we have been the lucky recipients of Buddy Passes from my brother-in-law. Before retiring a couples years ago, he worked as a mechanic for Delta since April 1970. We were overjoyed when Delta started the Buddy Pass program in 1995…and ever since those annual gifts of travel have allowed us to see the world. We have visited over 60 countries on 6 continents. I know traveling has molded me into the open-minded person I am today! In the words of Mark Twain, travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness. And we all know that stand-by travel develops extraordinary patience and flexibility. It also shows off the incredible dedication to customers shared by Delta employees around the world. While standing-by for hundreds of flights, we have been treated so kindly by check-in and gate agents, bag handlers, flight attendants and crew, and fellow-non-rev-travelers. It always amazes me how the gate agents stay so composed as they clear stand-by passengers in those hectic moments before closing the door to get the flight off on time. It touches my heart when they show genuine compassion and regret when there aren’t enough seats. I try to return the kindness and show my thankfulness. There’s never enough to time to tell them how much I appreciate their work and what this travel privilege means to me. Just like every year, we traveled during the Christmas holidays. We flew from AMS to JFK on January 5 but couldn't get on a flight to FLL. Instead of spending the night in New York and taking a flight that would have arrived in Terminal 2 around Noon on January 6, Delta employees helped us get on a flight to ATL. We spent the night and got on the first flight on January 6 and landed at FLL at 8:45 am and walked through baggage claim at 9:00 am. We have been in a state of shock since we heard the horrific news a few hours later. Yesterday, someone from Delta called my brother-in-law to check on us, his pass-riders. I don’t have sufficient words to express what that concern means to us. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for allowing us to travel this wonderful world. And accept our sincerest regret that this horrible event has affected our beloved Delta family.
