The Daily Feather — Speed Feathering with Jucel
On another day, I’ll write the top I was going to write. For the here and now, I’d like to bring your attention to the fabulous Jucel. Arriving at La Guardia yesterday, I knew that by the time I landed in New Orleans, I’d have logged 250,000 miles with American Airlines with two months left in 2023. We’re not talking the new-fangled credit card spending “miles,” but old-fashioned Road Warrior miles in the sky. Reflecting back, I thought it had been a decent year on the airline to which I’m beholden given I call DFW home. Last year, at Boston Logan TSA, I was stopped because I was booked on four flights within two hours. That’s how bad the service had become. To ensure I get to my chickens in Culver, I booked myself into Indianapolis, Chicago, South Bend and Fort Wayne with a prayer one wasn’t cancelled. Yesterday, my 2023 lucky streak almost ended. A prematurely called missed connection through Charlotte into New Orleans (due to mechanical that was quickly resolved) summarily rebooked me from Charlotte through Miami and into New Orleans at 0:30. A marathon two-hour live chat with Jucel later, I was rebooked on my original flight.
It's 5:16 pm New Orleans time as I type this, 14 hours before you read this Feather previewing today’s October jobs report. Jucel is living (OK, live chat) proof that customer service is still alive and well. To show my appreciation, I took that annoying survey you never do and gave her 5 Stars. On top of that, I tweeted out my amazing experience. Why not share the joy? To this, American Airlines replied; “Way to go, Jucel! Thanks for praising our #AATeam and we'll make sure to recognize her for working so hard on your trip.” Does this happy tale restore your faith as it does mine?
The idea of being hungry to do one’s job right is soothing as this week draws to a close. Enough with the whining as one U.S. automaker after another plays it’s best defense by offering pay raises to employees they pray won’t unionize. We forget why Kentucky has seen its economy benefit thanks to auto manufacturing fleeing the Rust Belt. If we’ve learned two things since the pandemic hit, it’s that many young Americans don’t want to work at all. Refreshingly, we’ve also discovered that many enterprising young Americans who do want to work have discovered their inner vocational talents. It would seem the internal rate of return on a garbage liberal arts degree has lost its shine.
The best news is that dissipating demand for labor will benefit the young and hungry.