San Diego With Jet Blue
Note: This is first post in a series that two weeks ago I could not even imagine writing. It’s all about adventure, change and what it means to be really alive. Oh, and there’s a bit about marketing, too).
After two years of living with us on the East Coast, my wife’s mother decided she’d like to go back home to Coronado, CA My wife wanted to drive. We had done that before with me driving her step-father who nearly died on the road in New Mexico, and Linda driving her mother. (for details see this series of blogs). We found that America on the road is not handicap accessible. People are friendly and helpful but buildings and services aren’t.
I decided on this trip to study marketing where ever I could. It began with Jet Blue.
We drove our new Nissan Sentra 120 miles to the Rochester airport where we would leave for JFK airport and then take a direct flight to San Diego. Linda had instructed Jet Blue that we were traveling with an elderly, handicapped woman. We also had two large luggage bags, two small ones and our computers. When I puled up to the curb, a distinguished looking African American man met us.. “I represent a private firm,sir and can help you with all of this.” I didn’t argue. Within moments he had our bags on a cart and a wheelchair for my mother-in-law.
I parked the car and ran back to the check-in. The man asked to see my ticket. “Your wife said you are not sitting together. Let me take care of it.” In a few minutes he was back with new seating and our luggage checked.
Big tip.
Jet Blue personnel had us and other with handicapped persons and children board first. During th whole flight I found Jet Blue staff to be courteous, helpful and most of all, efficient. When, on the second flight from JFK, thee was a mixup on seating, they fixed it quickly and quietly to, I think, everyone’s satisfaction, certainly ours.
Their slogan, “Happy Jetting,” was placed in all passenger areas, but not ostentatiously.
There were no delays. In fact we arrived in San Diego early. Pilots and staff thanked each passenger for flying Jet Blue.
Most of these things happen on most airlines but with Jet Blue I got the feeling of a customer-oriented company that operates with confidence from the top down.
Next post: The underground society surrounding us.