1.5 year old Airbus A330 may be a total loss after service truck hits the nose (pics) (edited)

[SheilaT]

46. I was ten years a ticket agent at DCA.

First for Mohawk, then for Allegheny. I left right before the name change to USAir. It was a difficult job in many ways. I stood for eight plus hours a day in high heels on a concrete floor, and we often didn't know when we'd actually be able to go home, if there were delayed or cancelled flights.

But the closeness between employees, especially across the airlines was amazing. In fact, we all say, "I worked for the airlines" plural, even though we only ever worked for one at a time. I actually briefly worked for Trans Texas, then Continental when that merger occurred. We looked out for each other in many ways. Example: One time a family emergency came up and I needed to fly out to Los Angeles, no time to apply for a free pass. I'd written the discounted ticket for myself, and had mentioned the situation to a friend at United. A couple of hours later he came over to me and said, "You can refund the ticket. I've gotten you a pass." He'd gone to his station manager, explained the situation, and the manager authorized the free pass. I was very appreciative.

The very best part was the travel benefits, and I took advantage of them. I was single and loved to travel, and this was in an era when young women such as myself were very unlikely to go off somewhere by herself. They'd only travel with a friend or go on an organized tour. I did both of those, but I also did such exotic trips as going to Teheran all by my lonesome.

Working at DCA I of course saw all kinds of politicians and celebrities. Helen Hayes was a sweetie. The very nicest politician ever was Jay Rockefeller, back when he was Governor of West Virginia. I'm very sorry he never got to be President.