A tear Jerker for me but a Happy ending

[deziloooooo]

It's 2:45 Am, I am a night owl and am ready for some zzzz'z but just picked this up from one of my sites..had tears in my eyes at the end but a good story so wanted to post for you as you check in to the "Forum "today.
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.Hero Pilot Pulls Out the Stops to Help Grandpa Reach Funeral: 2011's Most Heartwarming Travel Story?
Buzz up!1217 votes Share
..By WILLIAM LEE ADAMS William Lee Adams – Sun Jan 16, 1:55 am ET
The most important trips aren't about getting somewhere. They're about getting to someone. (via Elliott.org)

But in an age of mounting airline fees, reduced in-flight services, uncomfortable security pat-downs and multi-day delays caused by erupting volcanoes, it's easy to forget that.

Amid the cries of "I've already paid for my hotel!" and "You need to get me to Atlanta!" anger and inconvenience frequently blind us to the fact that travel is ultimately about people. We also forget that airline employees - bound by big company rules and regulations - get frustrated, too.

Enter Nancy, whose travel triumph, tempered by a great deal of sadness, has turned an unnamed Southwest Airlines pilot into an online hero. (More at NewsFeed: Meet the 13-Year-Old HERO of the Australian Floods)

Nancy reads a blog by Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate and journalist, and wrote to him about her husband's recent ordeal traveling on flights from Los Angeles to Tucson to Denver. Their situation makes complaints about leg room look downright petty.

"Last night, my husband and I got the tragic news that our three-year-old grandson in Denver had been murdered by our daughter's live-in boyfriend," she wrote. "He is being taken off life support tonight at 9 o'clock and his parents have opted for organ donation, which will take place immediately. Over 25 people will receive his gift tonight and many lives will be saved."

So early in the morning, after what must have been a torturous night's sleep, Nancy and her husband arranged for him to fly from Los Angeles, where he was traveling for work, to Tuscon, where he would step off one plane and immediately onto another one headed to Denver. "The ticketing agent was holding back tears throughout the call," Nancy wrote. "I'm actually her step-mother and it's much more important for my husband to be there than for me to be there."

Mourning the loss of his child's child, and no doubt worrying about his grieving daughter, he was likely in no state to travel. Airport stress only compounded his despair. He arrived at LAX two hours before his scheduled flight time, but quickly realized that delays at baggage check and security would keep him from making the flight. (Travel photos: Amazing snapshots of travelers stranded by holiday blizzards)

According to Nancy, he struggled to hold back tears as he pleaded with TSA and Southwest Airlines staff to fast-track him through the lines that were moving like molasses. Even though missing his flight could mean missing a final chance to see his grandson, no one seemed to care.

Too much was at stake to simply roll over and cry. When he finally cleared security - several minutes after his flight's planned departure - he grabbed his computer bag, shoes and belt, and ran to his terminal wearing only his socks. The pilot and the gate agent were waiting for him.

"Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we're so sorry about the loss of your grandson," the pilot reportedly said. "They can't go anywhere without me and I wasn't going anywhere without you. Now relax. We'll get you there. And again, I'm so sorry."

It's hard to underestimate the courage of the pilot's decision. The flight, which ultimately departed 12 minutes late, likely had hundreds of passengers rolling their eyes in contempt. And given that any delay has knock-on effects for passengers at the destination airport, his decision placed Southwest at risk of facing the wrath of travelers, and more than a few demands for compensation.

Elliott, who brought the story to the blogosphere's attention, approached Southwest about the story, half expecting the airline to be outraged by a pilot's refusal to push the on-time departure.

Instead, they told him they were "proud" of their pilot, a man who clearly understands that taking a child off life support has consequences that run deeper than a flight taking off late. As Nancy wrote: "My husband was able to take his first deep breath of the day." Hopefully, over time, his daughter can do the same

[handyman2]

Sad but touching story. Nice to know we have not all become hard cases in the world. Kudo's to the pilot and Southwest airlines. May God give the family comfort and strength. Thanks for posting this Dezi. Renews one's faith in their fellow citizens.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...watched this on the TV news... that news clip also explained that passengers arrived on time since they made up the time in flight... I liked seeing a "feel-good" story, too...

[deziloooooo]

Jan 18, 2011 7:35:38 GMT -5 handyman2 said:

Sad but touching story. Nice to know we have not all become hard cases in the world. Kudo's to the pilot and Southwest airlines. May God give the family comfort and strength. Thanks for posting this Dezi. Renews one's faith in their fellow citizens.

Amen

[mmhmm]

I read that, as well, dezi. As you said, it was a real tear-jerker and let us know, full well, there are still a lot of caring, responsible people in our world.

[burnsattornincan]

Certainly a nice story however if anyone can find a link to the details of the murder in Denver it would be appreciated. I cannot for some reason seem to find anything about a 3 year old boy being murdered by a live-in boyfriend.

[fairlycrazy23]

I think this is it, but maybe not:

www.denverpost.com/search/ci_17081457

[burnsattornincan]

What do you mean by "read more carefully"? I said I couldn't find the link where it says a 3 year old was killed by the live-in boyfriend, in Denver. Is that not what the story above says what happened?

[deziloooooo]

Wouldn't it be a great thing if the story I posted was a false one , a hoak , I was taken in and wept needlessly and it , grand son still alive.

That I could live with easily.

[burnsattornincan]

I think this is it, but maybe not:

Well, it says the boy was 2 years old instead of 3 but I guess its close enough. Thanks.

[marjar]

MS NBC had that story on its front page, several days ago. I can't find a link to it, in either the Denver or LA newspapers.

[fairlycrazy23]

I found more details about the OP Grandfather story that included the daughter and childs name then looked it up directly on the denver post.

[dmsm]

Thanks for sharing Dezii, It is nice to know that good people are out there and care.