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AIR MAIL 100,000 AAdvantage miles for your thoughts. We enjoy hearing what you think about the magazine — so much so that if your letter to the editor is published in a 2012 issue, you'll be entered into a drawing to win 100,000 AAdvantage miles. Want a chance at the miles? Simply email your thoughts to us at editor@americanwaymag.com KINDNESS, THE AMERICAN WAY While traveling on Nov. 22, 2011, I was re- minded of what an honor it is to engage with the wonderful people [who are] traveling the world. We have so much to be thankful about. We have the ability to be in so many places so fast, so often, and at a relatively low expense. Thank you to a superior airline (American has been my favorite) and personnel who make flying as safe, as pleasant and as com- fortable as possible. I sat next to a U.S. Marine, serving to maintain our freedom. It was my honor to have had the opportunity to speak with him. He shall soon serve our country in Japan for the next two to three years. On another flight, I sat next to a young woman from Kenya studying for her doc- torate in history at Ohio State. Again, what a privilege to share a conversation with such a vibrant and interesting person. Bottom line — be reminded that what we often do not realize is what greatness sur- rounds us. Take the opportunity to share the goodwill with others. Help others (el- derly, children or women) with their baggage, be courteous and, overall, enjoy the oppor- tunities we have. It is something we often forget in the rush to get ahead in this world. Enjoying your flight is up to you! Paul Kling, Sanger, Texas EDITOR ADAM PITLUK RESPONDS: You said it all, Paul. This airline really knows its customers, and our customers are among the most interesting people in the world. THE NEXT ECLIPSE I was fascinated by your recent story about eclipse chasers ("Made in the Shade," Nov. 15, 2011). There was a total solar eclipse in July 1991 that was visible from El Salvador, and I remember all the grown-ups around me making preparations to see it. I was too 12 JANUARY 15, 2012 young at the time (6 years old) to understand what the big fuss was about, so I didn't go out- side to see it. What a huge mistake that was! Who knows when I'll get a chance to see another one from my backyard? I guess if I want to correct that mistake, I better start saving all my AAdvantage miles from now on so I can travel to Australia in November 2012. That's where the next total solar eclipse will be visible from (I know that thanks to the NASA link you included in your article). Ana Berrios, San Salvador, El Salvador EXECUTIVE SENIOR EDITOR CHRIS WESSLING RESPONDS: Don't think of this as something you missed out on when you were 6. Think of it as a great excuse to have an amazing adventure when you're 27! THE ANSWER IS … One reason I look forward to flying American Airlines is to solve the Mensa puzzles in the American Way magazine. I love them! The first thing I do after I buckle my seat belt is to quickly reach for the American Way in the seatback pocket, whip out my pen and start solving. I've never scored 100 percent, but that's my goal. I have a blast working on them. Here's a Mensa quiz for you: If BB=2, CC=3, DD=4 and ZZ=26, what does AA equal? Number one, of course! Maria Smith, Fort Worth, Texas ASSOCIATE EDITOR CHERYL KRZYWICKI RESPONDS: I love it! Every issue, I look through the Mensa questions, and most of the time I just scratch my head. I know that our intelligent pas- sengers will be able to figure out these questions, even though I often struggle. Then I read this email from you, creating your own Mensa ques- tion about American Airlines. Brilliant! I absolutely love it. Thank you for taking the time to write to us. CUSTOMER SERVICE My brother and I flew from Dallas to our AA.COM/AMERICANWAY And the winner is … CECIL BILBO from Champaign, Ill. Mr. Bilbo is the 2011 winner of the 100,000 AAdvantage miles for your thoughts drawing. His letter, entitled "Reaching Out," ran in the April 1, 2011, issue of American Way. home in Iowa. We flew first class and had a fantastic experience, mostly due to a fantas- tic flight attendant. I believe her name was Cathy. I would just like you to be aware of this quality employee. I hope to be fortunate enough to fly with her again. Kay Fisher, address withheld C.K. RESPONDS: We always like to hear that our employees are treating our customers so well. We take great pride in providing excellent customer service. Thank you for the kind words. THE UNLIKELY CONNECTION A few months ago I was on a trip that included visits to London and Paris. I needed to make a last-minute trip to Zurich, which impacted my original itinerary. To make a long story short, I purchased a ticket from Paris to Lon- don to try to catch my original flight from London to Dallas. The British Airways flight was scheduled to arrive about one hour be- fore my flight to Dallas, and I knew there was no way I would make the connection because I needed to retrieve my bags, clear Customs, check in and go through security. I remembered reading — in American Way — about the partnership between American Airlines and British Airways, so I decided to ask if my orphan British Airways flight could be merged with my original itinerary so my

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