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I have flown a lot (working in more than 65 nations will do that for you) however, I haven’t flown much in the past two years. Now, the airport lounge is starting to be my office again, and I’m starting to recognize flight attendants. But I’m a travel snob. I’ve been accustomed for years to automatically being upgraded, and given admittance to the private airline lounges.

In the past two years I’ve dropped off the radar. I’m not a premiere executive or platinum flyer… I’m the run of the mill traveler. It’s like being told to sit at the kids table at Thanksgiving.

Today I’m flying and writing this from the nice exclusive lounge of Northwest Airlines. And no, I did not pay for it. I’m sitting in first class on my two flights, and I didn’t pay for that. I checked two bags and did not get hit with the stupid $25 fee for a second bag (when did that lunacy begin?). How did I do it?

I was nice.

It was raining outside and I held the door for an old couple. A young mother dropped her stuff, and I picked it up for her. An angry old fart almost ran over me and I just smiled. All this was between the door and the ticket counter. An agent saw all of it, helped me check in and did all the upgrades for me, without my asking.

Try being nice. Not just to people who might be able to help you out, but to everyone. A lawyer (go figure) asked Jesus to define who his neighbor was so he could justify being an idiot to the people he didn’t like. Jesus gave the parable of the good Samaritan.

Who is your neighbor? Show them the love of Christ. Who knows, you might get upgraded.