Geography - Culture -
History
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Visitors love Montana. Spectacular snow-covered
mountains, vast prairie lands, and beautiful forests make Montana a special place. Wild rivers and streams are
filled with rainbow trout and
other fishes. Elk, bear and other wildlife are bountiful in Montana.
Montana's
early
history is a story of Indians, mountain men, and
prospectors. Until the mid-1800s, thousands of buffalo grazed
the short-grass prairies. In the 1870s, large cattle ranches developed
thoughout many areas in Montana Territory.
Later, many homesteaders
arrived to settle the land and build towns. Home was often a
log cabin. Statehood was achieved in 1889. Today, agriculture, manufacturing, and
service-related industries (such as tourism), dominate Montana's
economy.
With a population of
902,195 people in a land area of 147,000 square miles,
Montana is a sparsely populated state. So there's plenty of
room to roam, in the countryside and in the
cities.
Eastern Montana
is an area of rolling plains. Grasslands with few trees dominate the landscape. Huge wheat
farms and cattle ranches are common in eastern
Montana.
In central
Montana, the plains are dotted with small mountain ranges. Cattle ranching is a way of life. Mule deer and antelope roam the prairies throughout eastern and central Montana.
Western Montana is a region of magnificent mountains. Welcome to the
Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka Range near Billings is snow
covered much of the year and reaches over 12,000 feet in
elevation.
The wild and pristine landscape of western Montana is home to mountain lions, and grizzly bears. Gray wolves are common in Yellowstone Park.
Montana
has exciting historical places. Wonderful museums are found in cities,
big and small. Fishing, hunting, camping, and skiing are popular
activities.
"Old West" traditions live on in Montana. Cowboys drive cattle high up into
the mountains to feed on lush summer grasses. Indians, in
full native dress, gather to celebrate their customs at the
Lewis and Clark County fairgrounds in Helena and other areas
of the state.
Montana is called the "Treasure State." This slogan
symbolizes the wealth derived from the state's rich gold and
silver deposits. True to its history, Montana is a
genuine treasure, with its abundant natural resources and
friendly people.
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11/17/2011
The Treasure State " MONTANA"
10 ways to get an upgrade Factors that will increase your chances
By James Wysong
You see them crowding the airport check-in counter, looking for a sign. Waiting for an announcement.
They are business travelers, frequent fliers, off-duty employees, and even first-timers. They are the last ones to board, but the first ones to petition for an available seat up front.
Every flight has its share of upgrade candidates. But there are usually more candidates than first-class seats, and as a result, some of those passengers become very upset. (If you’re one of those people, here’s a little something to ponder: If the airlines upgraded everyone, how would they make any money?)
Still, the upgrade brigade persists, even after the last person has boarded.
Among the arguments I’ve heard for reassigning a passenger to a premium seat: “My reading light doesn’t work, my seat doesn’t recline, I smell smoke, I have asthma, diarrhea, epilepsy, heart condition. I am too tall, fat, old. I lost my boarding card, and the ground agent said I could take a seat anywhere. I hate this airline, love this airline, I work for another airline, I am an employee for this airline. My sister’s ex-boyfriend’s doctor’s cousin’s daughter used to fly for this airline.”
They never work. Well, almost never.
One time a passenger had a heart attack, and we had a fairly empty first-class section. We moved him up there until we landed. But that’s a pretty tough way to get more legroom.
I have had passengers shake my hand upon boarding and slip me twenties, fifties and even hundred dollar bills asking me to “see what I can do for them.” I even had a lady promise to induct me into the mile high club if I got her a higher-class seat.
It’s not that the flight attendants don’t want to upgrade you, it’s just plain and simple: we can’t. Our rules of conduct state specifically that upgrading (without permission from a supervisor on the ground or in emergencies, from the captain) is an offense punishable by immediate discharge.
It’s a firm rule, with no room for negotiation or interpretation.
Keep this in mind: you could have an airline employee eating right out of your hand, but when the magic word or implication of an upgrade arises, an alarm bell goes off in his head which discredits everything you have said up to that point. You’ve been made. We call it our BS alert.
Here are some factors that will increase your chances of getting an upgrade:
If you find yourself up front on a future flight, have a glass of red wine for me. I recommend the California Cabernet my airline carries. Who knows, I might be the one pouring it for you.
You see them crowding the airport check-in counter, looking for a sign. Waiting for an announcement.
They are business travelers, frequent fliers, off-duty employees, and even first-timers. They are the last ones to board, but the first ones to petition for an available seat up front.
Every flight has its share of upgrade candidates. But there are usually more candidates than first-class seats, and as a result, some of those passengers become very upset. (If you’re one of those people, here’s a little something to ponder: If the airlines upgraded everyone, how would they make any money?)
Still, the upgrade brigade persists, even after the last person has boarded.
Among the arguments I’ve heard for reassigning a passenger to a premium seat: “My reading light doesn’t work, my seat doesn’t recline, I smell smoke, I have asthma, diarrhea, epilepsy, heart condition. I am too tall, fat, old. I lost my boarding card, and the ground agent said I could take a seat anywhere. I hate this airline, love this airline, I work for another airline, I am an employee for this airline. My sister’s ex-boyfriend’s doctor’s cousin’s daughter used to fly for this airline.”
They never work. Well, almost never.
One time a passenger had a heart attack, and we had a fairly empty first-class section. We moved him up there until we landed. But that’s a pretty tough way to get more legroom.
I have had passengers shake my hand upon boarding and slip me twenties, fifties and even hundred dollar bills asking me to “see what I can do for them.” I even had a lady promise to induct me into the mile high club if I got her a higher-class seat.
It’s not that the flight attendants don’t want to upgrade you, it’s just plain and simple: we can’t. Our rules of conduct state specifically that upgrading (without permission from a supervisor on the ground or in emergencies, from the captain) is an offense punishable by immediate discharge.
It’s a firm rule, with no room for negotiation or interpretation.
Keep this in mind: you could have an airline employee eating right out of your hand, but when the magic word or implication of an upgrade arises, an alarm bell goes off in his head which discredits everything you have said up to that point. You’ve been made. We call it our BS alert.
Here are some factors that will increase your chances of getting an upgrade:
- Become a member of that specific airline’s frequent flier mileage club. You can be a member of many different airlines’ clubs.
- The flight is oversold in economy, but there are empty seats in business and or first class.
- You are dressed smartly or in business attire. Jacket and tie for men and a dress/suit for women.
- You are traveling alone. Sorry, if you’re with kids, it’s almost an automatic disqualifier.
- Always be willing to move when asked. I know of a man who refused to move because he was seated on the aisle. What he didn’t realize was that the seat they were offering him was in first class.
- Courtesy and kindness does go a long way in this industry — I have seen many people upgraded just because the kindness they showed. I know when I am aboard, if someone is especially nice, I want to do something extra for him or her, and I’m positive the ground staff feel the same way.
- Be early. Your chances of sitting up front diminish quickly when you inquire at the last minute.
- If you have been seriously inconvenienced on a previous flight, make sure the check-in agents know about it. But don’t make a scene or they will put you in the worst possible seat, hoping never to see you again.
- Use the right card. Many times the credit card you pay with has a redeemable mile feature usable with several different airlines.
- When you book the ticket ask about upgrades and prices. There is a fare called Y-UP fares that cost a little more but increases your upgrade chances immensely. Many times there are ongoing promotions to spur first class revenue. I paid full fare on an airline and was amazed when an extra $20 got me sitting in 1A. I can easily justify that cost in red wine.
If you find yourself up front on a future flight, have a glass of red wine for me. I recommend the California Cabernet my airline carries. Who knows, I might be the one pouring it for you.
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