Maintaining the Ties That Bind

It's been nearly two and half months since I had checked the contents of my P.O. Box.
Since I rarely travel further north than say Mountain View, I've made the decision to close my P.O.Box at SFO.

How strange it seemed being in such close proximity to the "big birds". I parked the car at Millbrae BART. Took the train into SFO station, went through the fare gate and into the International terminal. Yup, it's still there. Big and shiny, just like I remembered it. Looking over toward the "A" side I hear a jumbo pulling into a gate.
I've learned a while back that it's easier to identify an air carriers by the tail of the
aircraft. The one pulling into "Gate alpha three" had the tail markings of Asiana.
When I left "Swishport", Asiana was parking on the "G" side of the airport. "OZ" on the "A" side meant just one thing- Asiana was now an "A" side flight. Uh-oh.

I caught up with a former Swissport associate named Philip. He's still working the ticket counters for Lufthansa and Air France. We chatted briefly.

Same ol', same ol'. Uh-oh, sheesh, not my problem. I kept saying softly 'not my problem'. I rounded the corner at ticket counter six and saw the woman that took on the role of FMU a.k.a. Virgin Ops, it was Shabeena. It was good to see her, we had always got along well together. Shabeena was stocking the counter aisles with supplies before the counter opened. We also chatted briefly. Then I ran into a Virgin manager...

It was good to see Mr. C. again. He stated that he had received my email and thanked me for the link to the Steve Ridgeway (Virgin CEO) article that I found online. Mr. C.
asked if I had eaten and before I could reply, he said that there's a potluck in progress upstairs and that I ought to go get some food. Virgin has ALWAYS had the best potlucks!

Despite my protest of not having a badge, Mr. C. just gave me a "oh please" look and assured me that it would be okay.

Virgin counter personnel were now exiting from the elevator and headed to the counter. Many "heys" and "hellos" were exchanged it was nice.
I enter the Virgin Administration office on the fourth floor. Everyone is in the large briefing room. I announce my arrival by saying that I'd been invited to get some lunch. Ms. I, had a big grin on her face and kept repeating "Security Breach, Security Breach". Mr. S. shook my hand and thanked me for sending such a well worded email response to an article that a disgruntled Virgin passenger had posted online.

The spread of foodstuffs was impressive. Cellophane noodles, sushi, eggrolls, broccoli beef, pork buns, cheeses, and three veggie trays! Then were the sweets too many to mention here suffice to say it was there, it was great, and I consumed as only a Behr would. By the time I had my second round of sushi and cello noodles, Mr. C. had returned.

Nothing's changed he tells me. Last week. There was no one at the make-up at 14h00
(2PM) there were a huge amount of bags everywhere and no one there to load the cans. I could only shake my head in disgust. I let everyone in the room know that my
EDD Appeals hearing is slated for Tuesday the 12th. If anyone familiar with the role that I played is invited to come to the hearing and witness for me. No immediate response given, no problem.

Mark from Hallmark wandered in. He, like everyone else, was surprised and pleased to see me. I'm advised that after my lunch, if I'd be interested in getting an app for a position that he has available. Mark said that my reputation precedes me- such high regard from the staff and management of Virgin Atlantic SFO.

Another job at SFO?
Only if it pays well. my friends, only if it pays well.