[fingpilot]

I retired from flying in '07. Have flown as a pax only 3 or 4 times since. Will drive (car or RV) rather than fly, no matter what. Between the bedbugs in the hotels, cargo holds, and overhead bins, I am done.

Deadheading in uniform east coast to home on AA, using offline pass, yes, long before 9/11.

Am at the big desk in DFW, needed to get a new pass, having missed the connection. Am in line behind a very pissed off guy. Bent my ear, very loudly, about how bad AA is, and venting about being AA Platinum, and still being screwed, etc. I smiled politely, but did not respond.

He got to be first in line, and I could see the 3 or 4 agents stalling their cutomer so as not to get this guy. He finally gets to the agent closest to us, and immediately goes off on her. She finally gets to what he wants, having missed his connection too. She smiles the entire time and patiently explains to him his options. He finally picks one, after telling everyone within earshot how much he makes per minute, and how much she has cost him today, blah, blah, blah. She gives him his tickets, bag claims, and points him to his gate to continue to Miami. He blasts off, still broadcasting his displeasure. I swear, everyone sighed relief.

I was next in line, and was greeted with "Hello Captain, How can I help you?" I smiled, asked for the next non-rev seat to LAX and said I was so astonished that she had held her tongue with that last guy. As she handed me my paperwork, she said she had a way of dealing with 'those types'.... Of ourse, I asked, and she leaned a little closer over the counter said.. 'He is going to Miami, his bags are going to Cleveland'.