Anecdote

A Refreshing Outlook

92 Comments

Yesterday I was on a flight from Newark, NJ to New Orleans. Unlike what I usually experience the flight was on time. I took my seat and was browsing through my WordPress posts when something unusual happened. The pilot came out of the cockpit and announced he had two questions for us. Whosever can answer the question will get a gift.

I am a million miler on United airlines. I fly almost every week and had hardly seen such an enthusiastic pilot before. I smiled in blithe embracing the welcome change. He was holding a united blazer pin and an old style United fact card. He said, when flying was fun the airlines used to give such souvenirs to the kids, a tradition sadly long lost. And with that, he spelled the first question

“How many positive commandments exist in the Torah?”

I had no clue what he was asking. Apparently, the answer was 248. If you are Jewish or have interest in the religious study you might know it.

I was baffled why such a cryptic question was asked and before I could comprehend the pilot announced – our flight duration today is 2 hours 48 minutes, hence the number 248. Believe it or not, someone won the lapel badge.

He then went ahead with the second question, “Who was the 38th president of America and when did he assume office?”

I knew this answer(don’t ask me how) Gerald Ford. He was brought in 1974 to replace then indicted president Richard Nixon. He further stated, “subtract 900 from the year. The number is the distance between Newark and New Orleans -1074 nautical miles.”

I smiled accepted the card and wondered how a simple gesture can uplift the customer experience multifold.

PS. Here is the picture of the card I won

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92 thoughts on “A Refreshing Outlook”

  1. Loved your post -written with humour and amazing facts. I am more baffled that someone won the challange 🙂 and that you fly every week. How do you adjust to such constant transition?

  9. agree sighting the pilot is unusual and small gestures make huge impressions … glad you won, interesting obscure questions that might suggest he’s flown that route many times over 🙂

  11. You must have a incredible job that allows you to fly so often. I am happy you won the card that impressed me Shantanu. Have a safe fun flight going back my friend.

  12. nearly better than a free flight but then you must get heaps of those with the points you are accumulating … what kind of work do you do? If it’s private I get that but I am curious 🙂

  24. You are very welcome Shantanu. Reading your post I knew I had to reblog it. Airlines have a lot o f bad news at times. We need to share the good news like you did for us. Thank you again Shantanu for this !!

  44. a delightful post. It’s So refreshing to have such experiences in Airlines. And hey, congratulations on that prize. Cheers Shantanu cheers haha😊

  45. I was feeling so gloomy today but your post brought the first smile on my face. Thanks a million.

  68. Yes, Siddhartha Bad does get to much exposure on planes. Shantanu did the right thing with this post. Thanks for stopping by to read my friend.

  83. What a great story, it was truly exciting. You were on the winning flight. It always nice when the Captain comes out which is rare. It happened once when my girls were younger. The captain came out told s few jokes, he was quite pleasant, He had one of Stewardess’ invite the girls and I to the Cockpit.
    He complimented the girls on there manners and behavior. The view was total different from the front. Girls were excited, smiling as they asked questions, touching. Treasured moment. That was our flight here from SeaTac.
    -Yonnie💜🌸

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