As we had been getting ready to land at Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) throughout a latest Delta Air Traces flight, a pleasant attendant handed me and some different passengers a card with a handwritten thank-you observe on the again. I had by no means obtained such a observe, nor had I recognized they existed. I instantly texted my trusted co-worker and fellow frequent flyer Clint Henderson for some perception.
He instructed me that receiving a handwritten thank-you observe from the flight attendants is uncommon and that I ought to hold on to it as a memento. I used to be already feeling fortunate after my newly earned SkyMiles Silver Medalion standing scored me a last-minute complimentary improve to Consolation+ for the two-hour flight to Orlando. However I actually felt like a VIP after receiving this candy observe.
The reporter in me instantly wished to be taught extra about these elusive notes. This is what I discovered.
Going the additional SkyMile
After I requested my co-workers and TPG Lounge Fb group members, I obtained dozens of responses from fellow vacationers who had obtained handwritten notes from flight attendants through the years. Usually, flight attendants use these notes to acknowledge clients for his or her loyalty to the airline or as a perk for flying in business- or first-class cabins.
A number of individuals who responded mentioned the notes they obtained thanked them for being an elite member. Whether or not they had been upgraded like I used to be or they paid outright (utilizing money or miles), most additionally mentioned they had been sitting in a premium cabin when notes had been bestowed upon them. On the day I obtained mine, I solely noticed the flight attendants handing out notes to passengers in first-class or Consolation+ seats.
Some passengers discovered notes ready for them of their seats after they boarded, however others, like me, obtained their notes close to the tip of the flight. In my case, we skilled turbulence, so there was no inflight service. Although it is pure hypothesis, I guessed the flight attendants used the additional time to craft a number of thank-you notes.
Associated: Greatest home first-class airline: Delta, United or American?
One flight attendant responded to the submit that he prefers thanking vacationers in particular person versus passing them a handwritten observe; a number of flyers mentioned they’ve additionally encountered this. One traveler who has been a Delta SkyMiles member for greater than 40 years and has flown over 2 million miles shared that flight attendants often cease by his seat to thank him.
Whether or not a observe or a pleasant “thanks” and a handshake, most people who responded mentioned they’ve solely obtained this kindness a handful of occasions. In the event you ever end up amongst them, know it is a uncommon treasure.
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It isn’t all about elite standing
Whereas it is good to be acknowledged on your loyalty to a specific airline, that’s removed from the one motive a flight attendant may acknowledge you throughout a flight.
After mentioning how a lot she cherished rice crackers whereas chatting with a flight attendant within the galley of a Japan Airways flight, TPG Senior Author Katie Genter obtained the observe and reward pictured under. The flight attendant took the time to attract an cute image of Katie and her husband and reward them with — what else — a collection of rice crackers and snack mixes from the flight.
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KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
TPG Senior Director Gabe Travers obtained a observe from a flight attendant for a really totally different — and much much less lighthearted — motive. After coping with a prolonged delay on the outbound leg of a world journey, he had an apology observe ready in his seat when he boarded his return flight to the U.S. Flight delays and cancellations occur, however it lessens the sting when the airline empathizes together with your state of affairs.
Others have obtained a observe from a flight attendant after they flew on their birthday, anniversary or different special day. Some even obtained a bottle of wine or different reward together with their observe. A number of responses had been much more surprising.
Associated: Suggestions for overcoming a worry of flying
One girl, an admitted nervous flyer, shared that she all the time introduces herself to the crew members and visits them on the flight deck earlier than takeoff to calm her nerves. As a result of they naturally get to know her throughout their conversations, she and her husband have obtained the occasional observe through the years and even Champagne on their anniversary.
A number of respondents within the Fb group mentioned they usually convey snacks or Starbucks reward playing cards for the flight crew and can often obtain a thank-you observe in response.
However my recommendation is to not count on to be on the receiving finish of this uncommon gesture. Considerate acts like this are particular as a result of they’re a shock. Whenever you start to count on random acts of kindness, you lose the very factor that makes them particular.
Backside line
When a flight attendant takes the time to acknowledge you on your loyalty or to mark a momentous event, it makes your journey really feel much more particular. Whether or not I obtain a handwritten observe or not, I all the time thank flight attendants for his or her onerous work and kindness, and I hope you do too.
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