When I arrived at LAX yesterday, I was informed by the “line attendant” (you know, the person who checks your flight details to make sure that you are joining the right line so that you can checkin for your flight) that my direct flight from L.A. to Toronto had been cancelled. He didn’t have any other details than this little gem.
I resigned myself to the line and 45 minutes later, I had finally reached the front. I wasn’t in any particular rush – I was going home, I knew I’d get home sooner or later. I remember thinking that it would be nice to be back home in time to watch Survivor, but other than that, I had pretty much checked into the system and was willing to get home when they got me there. While the lady at the check-in counter was checking my flight options, raised voices a few desks over caught my attention. A couple in a similar predicament were attempting to cow the desk attendant into providing them with seats on the cancelled flight. Smart. Piss off the only person in the world that can get you to where you want to go. My desk agent gave me three flight options, a choice of seats and a huge apology with a smile.
She also thanked me for not being upset.
It must happen a lot. I wonder if people realize how little it takes to get so much back. Definitely one of those lessons that’s very easy to forget.
Back in the saddle today. A terribly busy day ahead. Need to get caught up on quite a few things. 400 email, unknown quantities of voicemail and several projects on the go. Welcome back 
Along your line of thought, I ws in a similar situation from Ottawa to Toronto. I was in the que to get any free seats available minutes before the gate closes. I was given one and on the way in the attendant stopped me and siad that she like the boarding pass back becasue there were two flight attendents who also needed to get back to Toronto. I could be a real jerk and not give up my pass - hey, its mine and I have it. But knowing the flights attendance and their schedules, and like you I thought I be home anyways but just delayed an hour (hourly flights to Toronto at time), I gave my pass up. It was than up to the two flight attendents to figure out who goes on ;-) Literally, not more than two minutes later, a couple of passenger did not show up and they were business class passengers. Guess what? The remaining flight attendant and myself got the last two seats and it was in business class! Wooohoooo!!! Good karma, eh?
I figure that good karma is hard to come by - its always better to jump at the chance when it presents itself...things always seem to work out slightly better when one takes the high-er road...