You Can Never be Overdressed

Today I leave for Cali for Holy Week and I left the house this morning wearing a suit.  My dad saw me and asked me why I was wearing a suit and if I was going to change before the flight.  If you have traveled with me, you know that I like to go on flights as dressy as possible, suit and tie are the max - I'm not wearing a tux.  

It all started when I used to fly standby (buddy passes) and the rules were that we had to wear slacks and a collared shirt.  This was something I had to do when flying Continental and there were times when I ended up wearing a suit and I noticed a difference.  The difference was in service and also the treatment and respect people were giving me.  It was strange but definitely something that I noticed.

It's not a guarantee but I think that being "dressed up" makes it seem that you're more professional and at the same time somewhat "important."  There have been a few times already where my suit has gotten me out of situations or helped me in certain situations when traveling.

One of the rules with traveling standby on a buddy pass that you are not allowed to be upgraded to first class, even though there was the occassional rule bender that would let you.  There was one trip, actually there were three trips where I was wearing the suit and was checking in.  I made it common practice to ask "how's the flight looking" whenever I checked in and would then ask if there was any room in first class.  I would normally get agent who would tell me the rules regarding first class and a buddy pass, but on these occassions the agent looked at me after telling me the rules and made the comment "well you are dressed for first class" and when they handed me the ticket, the seats were in first class.  

Another time I had four friends with me and we were running late to the airport because someone wanted to stop by Goldilocks.  We got to the airport with about 35 minutes before the flight and I dropped them off, then returned the car.  It was alright if they made it on the flight and I got stuck, but when I got back to the airport, there they were sittingo n the sidewalk.  They wouldn't let them check into the flight because there was no checked luggage going into the place within 30 minutes of the flight (this is one reason why I don't check bags in).  The ticket agent had told them that they would have get on the next flight and pay the difference in the price plus a fee.  The total came out to about $400 - $500 for each person.  Here comes Suitman to the rescue!  I went in and talked to the same agent and told them the situation.  He recognized my friends that were outside ... and I waited for him to tell him that there was the $400 per person.  After a few minutes he said that we were all set and I even asked him if there was a fee for the flight differential.  His response to me was "don't worry about it sir, we'll take care of it for you."  

Rushing for a flight, it was only ten minutes before my flight left.  I ran to the terminal and of course there was a long line for the tickets (this was the time where etickets counters didn't exist yet).  I was about to give up and walked off the line to check the next departing flight when a ticket agent came over to me and asked me if I was flying in first class.  I told her that I was not, but she said that she'd help me since it seemed that I was flying first class anyway ... she realized my flight was in ten minutes and escorted me past security all the way to the gate to make sure that I made it in.

So here I am dressed as Suitman again.  Going to the airport and hoping that I will be able to use my powers for good and help those in need.  I don't mind the suit and tie all throughout the flight if it will help in someway or could help if a problem were to come up.  This also works for car rental companies ... as I've gotten many free upgrades and "bonuses" because it was Suitman at the counter.  

We can all be Suitman!  He's inside of us just waiting to come out and use our powers to help us through situations which seem hopeless.  So overdress as you must, and tie that tie, then work your way to first class and past security onto the gate to just make your flight.  

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