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Letter Rip
We love letters. Maybe it’s because our
grandmas always used to tape a quarter to our birthday cards when we
were little, and we now have this Pavlovian thing going on. Regardless,
we want to hear from you. Sing our praises, bust our chops, or just
tell us what’s on your mind. Send it to editor@americanwaymag.com.
AND BABY (SOPHIA) MAKES THREE
I
have been flying American Airlines all over the world since 1985. I
left my home in Miami for my weekly trip to Latin America on American
on June 19. I kissed my eight-months-pregnant wife, Patricia, goodbye
and jokingly asked that she wait to have our first baby until I return
from Rio. (The baby wasn’t due until July 11.)
My meetings were
very successful, and I was slated to arrive back in Miami around 4:30
a.m. on June 22. The flight left on time, and I spoke with my wife to
say good night just before we took off. Everything was fine with her,
other than the usual discomforts of being eight months pregnant.
The
flight arrived in Miami a bit early, and when we reached the gate, the
normal announcements about customs were made by the gate agent, as well
as a surprising announcement requesting that William Ronca speak with
the gate agent immediately. As I approached the agent, I said, “What?
Is my wife in labor?” The answer was, “Yes, and get to the hospital
immediately.”
I breezed through customs, hopped into my car, and
arrived at Mount Sinai Hospital around 5:30 a.m. As it turns out,
Patricia’s water had broken at two a.m., and she’d had no way to
contact me. She was very concerned, as this was our first child, and I
had waited 43 years to become a parent. She was able to reach her
mother to take her to the hospital, so the only concern she had was
making sure I arrived in time for the birth.
Patricia had called
the Executive Platinum desk to get a message to me 35,000 feet in the
air. The agent who assisted her was very accommodating and was able to
get the message to me soon after we landed. If the agent hadn’t been so
helpful, I would have likely gone straight home and probably missed the
birth of Sophia Isabella Ronca at 7:29 a.m. on June 22, 2006.
My deepest appreciation to everyone at American who helped me in this most important time in my life.
William E. Ronca III, Golden Beach, Florida
Dear
William: On behalf of American Airlines, our heartfelt congratulations
to you and your family on this joyous new addition. We’ll be sending
Sophia’s AAdvantage enrollment forms any day now.
CORPORATE CONNECTIONS
Thank
you for including the articles on watchmaking (“The Time of Their
Lives”) and Green MBAs (“Minding Your P’s”) in your July 1 issue. I
watch as successful executives identify and build on their dreams, and
these stories offer hope to those who are on their own paths to success.
Jason Womack, Boulder, Colorado
Dear
Jason: Anything we can do to encourage and support someone else’s
dreams makes us happy. In fact, if you walk through our offices, you’ll
find pillows and blankets in every cube as part of our plan to
encourage those dreamers to have a midday inspiration when the mood
strikes them.
LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
20,000 feet
Trapped
Playing your Mensa puzzle to keep my mind off things
So, whose bright idea was it
To require me to land
And log on
To get the answer?
Really thoughtless
Or
Insulting. Choose one.
Mark Bolas
Dear
Mark: Neither. Our intention was not to insult you but to give you
plenty of time to figure out the answer to the bonus question. Bonus
time on the bonus question, if you will. Even Jeopardy! wouldn’t be
that considerate!
AN A+ FOR AA
I wish I could list
all the American Airlines employees who have reinforced my decision to
keep my loyalty to your airline. But to do so would require a roster of
all who are in your employ. Without exception, the service — and more
importantly, the genuine caring and courtesy that I have consistently
experienced — makes me proud to say this: You are my airline. Cheers!
Douglas Terry, Chicago, Illinois
Dear Douglas: And you are our customer. Pardon us while we blush. Thank you!
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