I like large airports the best. And Denver is one of the most enjoyable. The wide, airy spaces, high ceilings and moving sidewalks. Everything lends itself to my favorite travel pastime: people watching.

So here I sit at gate B25, watching human widgets move down the travel production conveyor belt.

There's the bouncy blonde in black capris who decided to wear white sneakers today for comfort. The narcissistic, million-mile flyer who walks at a gait only fitting for a man who does tomorrow's business yesterday. The mid-level training manager lugging two rolling cases behind her with determination. The cheery flight attendants, who tend to move in packs, are always fun to watch interact too. Quite a different breed from the wolfsome pilots, walking alone, with abruptness while talking to their wives on their cellphones. Pilots are always quite dashing in their crisp shirts with captain stripes. The baseball cap and jean-wearing computer programmer is next down the production line... complete with Birkenstocks, slouch and an I-could-care-less look on his face. And they just keep coming.

Yeah, it's finally, back to travel for me. This weekend it's off to Boston for a couple days to visit family friends. A quick trip, but my first in over month. Not even any business trips this past month! Luckily, this trip started out with a great conversation...

At 10AM I was hard at work at my desk (as most of us no doubt are at 10AM on Friday morning) when my cellphone rings. "John? Hi! This is Donna at the airport." (Strange, I thought, that a United CSR from the local airport would be calling me on my cellphone.) "Chicago is a mess today; how do you feel about re-routing through Denver?" (Great! I was planning to standby for the Denver connection anyway... helps me avoid those evil regional jets.) "Were you planning to upgrade? I grabbed some great seats for you in First," she continued. "I think you'll like them." We bantered some small talk for a few more minutes and eventually ended our call. You see? This is what makes me a loyal customer. Employees like Donna who go above and beyond their call of duty -- taking proactive action to ensure that their customers are taken care of. As is my signature, Donna received some of my favorite German chocolate when I checked in for the Denver flight earlier. Way to go, United.

Now, off to board my flight...