You never know who you may meet on an aircraft. Over the years, I have had the pleasure to meet many different people, some that are celebrities to the world such as Ray Charles and some that are a hero to the community. Everything from sports players to newscasters, fallen politicians to singers, producers and actors. I have seen it all and it’s fun to share stories with my co-workers. But, what makes a celebrity to you?

One month, I flew the same trip three weeks in a row and had the same two medallion members and one supervisor onboard all three weeks. It was a pleasure to actually see someone you sort of “knew” on the plane and be able to ask how their week went even if that’s as far as the conversation went.

On another trip, I met a man that explained what a Flying Colonel was and it’s not what you think. The airlines have their mileage passengers and that’s wonderful but a Flying Colonel is nothing like that. This man had come from Cuba on a raft of all young boys many decades ago. He not only survived the journey but went on to become a wonderful part of society, he and his wife. They prospered out of hard times into a great business that benefited the community and that’s why he received the title. To me, he is a hero.

Being able to meet those cooks that you often watch on the Food Network or the woman who’s face you see every morning you can on your morning news is also very cool. A tennis player, a famous musician and a really kind singer with the somewhat ridiculous but catchy song that consumed a generation of country music lovers in the early 90′s.These are all wonderful experiences that I will treasure.

You also never know who you are sitting next to and if they really are who they say they are. I mean, if you don’t know who they are then what’s to say they aren’t just making it all up? I was sitting in the exit row on a flight to Texas yesterday when a very tall man looked like he would love to sit in the exit row also so I told him to go ahead. No one else was sitting there, right? Through the flight we talked of God and health and His healing. We also talked about music and the fact that he was a producer, singer, musician…You get the picture. It all sounded wonderful and I wanted to believe him because he seemed so sincere.

So, I checked on Facebook. Okay, I see him on Facebook but what does that mean? A little further investigation and the guys really quite good. A rather fantastic Gospel Singer to be exact. I though that he just played a little guitar and arranged a show or two for some other singers. So nice to meet you Mr. Murrell. I’ll be waiting for that song and you’re right, you do meet some interesting people in coach!