ORD Jeff Degner
Forty-five years ago today I began a trip with Delta that
has been simply unbelievable. In the
history of Delta at ORD, no other public-contact employee has been there so
long. To find myself in this unique
position, looking back at 45 years of such wonderful memories involving such
wonderful people is just mind-boggling.
Think about this: when I began my
career in 1970, Delta still had propeller planes in its fleet, there were no
Frequent Flyers, tickets were all made out of paper and usually purchased with
cash or check, almost all seat assignments were only done at the gate and the
choices included “smoking or non-smoking, window or aisle?” and affixed to each
paper boarding pass with little colored seat tabs.
Where did the time go?
How did it go so fast? I still
feel like a young adult, rather than a senior citizen. And oh, the places I’ve been, the people I’ve
met, the sights I’ve seen, the experiences I’ve enjoyed! I feel very grateful, blessed and fortunate,
especially for all of you who have been a part of this journey. I’m attaching a few pictures taken during
these past four and a half decades, beginning with a copy
of one of my first Delta I.D.s. Notice
the department number is 653 rather than 125.
And my employee number only has 5 digits! Only my weight has stayed exactly the same,
give or take 30 pounds. Other pictures,
in chronological order, show me working a flight to Orlando, trying out a new
nose, standing with a passenger who was a real clown, running as a Delta
Olympic Torch Bearer, speaking at the Children’s Miracle Network Awards
banquet, accepting the Chairman’s Club award and…just being Gate Agent Jeff. Sadly, the days ahead of me at Delta are
dwindling fast and I will be making a retirement-day decision soon. I expect it will be before the end of August,
and it will be truly bittersweet. Till
then, I hope you can help me create just a few more special memories. See you on the concourse. Jeff Degner
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