If everyone who wants change leaves the ARS, it won't change. It's more fun to stick around and throw bombs. It's much easier to poke a stick in the eye of those who are actually doing things than to do them yourself. The ARS wears a lot of hats. Every time I actually ask for something, the ARS responds positively. We have to take the time to ask and, when asked to explain, to explain. We do more complaining about the way the ARS used to be than the way it is today. Yes, costs are rising. Go to the gas station. Read your cable bill. There was a while there when I first joined that dues were a ridiculous $10 a year. The organization was slow at that time in responding to change, but it's better. Hey, I'm with mbundick about articles about conventions. What's with that? I've never understood why anyone thinks it's interesting for someone who didn't go to read the Proceedings. They should be printed and published and paid for by the attendees. That's pretty standard today.

Philosophical comment! The 60s and 70s were the "protest years," but most people who were “protesting” never figured out the difference between protesting the war in Viet Nam and protesting the soldiers who were sent to fight that war. What was done to those men, who were drafted and had no choice about going, when they returned home from Viet Nam was, and always will be, an absolute travesty in my mind. It was so very wrong. Fast forward to 2001, and 9-11. I was based in San Fran, was commuting, and had been released on 9-10 in time to get home to Denver. Sleep deprived like I always was when I got home, I went to bed, and woke up in the morning to an incomprehensible sight on TV. I was still trying to figure out if I was watching some warped version of Candid Camera when I watched, live, the United plane fly into the second tower. After 36 hours of watching the reruns of the United plane flying into the second tower I couldn’t deal with it anymore. My vacation started on 9-11 in 2001, I had reservations to fly back east to visit Gettysburg, among other things, and it finally soaked in that that was not going to happen, so I called to cancel all my hotel and car reservations. I threw everything I could think of in the car and headed out to the hills--Montrose, for no good reason at all, but it was out of Denver and away from the “reruns.” On the way out of town I stopped to pick up some red, white, and blue ribbon to wear. But what I’m really getting to is that as I was heading west I almost immediately found people in their cars and trucks flying the American flag out of their windows, and mounted on their vehicles wherever they could. Of all the horrendous ways for it to happen, it seemed to me that there was finally patriotism in this country again, for the first time since the protests of the Viet Nam era. I cried most of the way to Montrose--every time I saw another flag! I lost twelve flying partners that day, and no words can ever excuse or forgive what was done to the returning Viet Nam soldiers, but out of the ashes I saw patriotism restored--finally. I’m olde, and even with all the “problems” it has, I am, and always will be, grateful to have been born in this most amazing country. On a lighter note, when I was still flying, during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, whenever we had uniformed service men/women we would upgrade them to first class anytime we had empty seats available. This was not company sanctioned, just something we flight attendants did, so it was always done at the very last minute, after the door was closed. On one flight we upgraded four young guys quickly as soon as the door was closed, and one of them asked me if his buddy was going to be able to join him. I asked him “what buddy,” and he pointed out that there was another soldier in coach. We had missed him on the manifest, so I went back to “get him!” The upgrading had to be done quickly because as soon as the door is closed you “push” and need to get ready to do the “demo,” so I found him and told him I was gonna move him to a "different" seat, and to come with me! He had apparently never had this happen to him, and he looked at me like I was nuts, tried to ask what I meant, and just stayed sitting where he was! I didn’t have time to try to explain to him what I was doing (it was clear the other pax around him had figured out what was happening) so I said to him, “don’t ask any questions, just follow orders, get your stuff and come with me!” He said, “yes, ma’am,” and did what I told him to do! I got him up front and had to leave immediately, but I’m sure his “buddy” explained what had just “happened” to him! It was the only time I gave “direct orders” to someone, and it was the funnest “upgrading” I ever did--all the other pax watching what was going on were smiling! (I have an Iraqi coin that was given to me by a (very) young soldier, and it’s one of my Favorite Things!) Margaret, thank you to your husband and brother, and any other Viet Nam vets you know. A thank you that is long, long overdue! Skybird

If I get really good customer service, I make a point to go to the manager right away and tell them that the employee was wonderful. Not only does it make the employee happy, it makes the manager happy that they're being called up front for GOOD news for a change. I also try to always be nice to cashiers-even if they're crabby. I give them a smile and say thank you. If they seem to be having a bad day I try to joke with them or tell them I really appreciate that they're helping me, it must be tough to deal with people all day long. That usually elicits a smile and I hope it brightened their day. I also buy $5 Starbucks gift cards this time of the year and hand them out to crossing guards. Those poor folks are always standing out there on the street corners in all kinds of weather making sure the pedestrians are safe (not just kids, adults too!).

I have only seen the highlights and cried my eyes out almost all 10 minutes of it. Was fine and then I saw jasdip's picture. Yep. That's what i picture. I am not all that interested in the English royals, but totally admire that Queen Elizabeth II finds her role in life to be a servant to her public from beginning to the end. I didn't think an American could do such a thing. I see now, he has. Seeing Prince Charles at the funeral made me realize it. Thank you President Bush for your lifetime of service.