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Out with the old, in with the new … that’s the spirit of most renovation projects, including the extensive overhauls currently underway at American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. But recently, demolition crews made an unexpected discovery that had them second-guessing that “out with the old” adage. They found a lost postcard, complete with address and postage, wedged in the space between a cabinet and a wall. For decades, the postcard had been waiting to make it to the mailbox.
Enter Maureen Joza, a Premium Customer Services manager based in Chicago, and her team, who updated the postage and dropped the postcard in the mail, hoping it would find its way home 21 years after it was written.
Turns out, the postcard was penned by Swiss customer Paul Riner, who spent much of the 1990s crisscrossing Europe and the United States. As a customer services manager for General Electric’s Nuclear Power Stations in Europe, he flew so much that he eventually became a Million Miler.
During each trip back and forth across the Atlantic, Paul had a layover in Chicago and passed the time in the Admirals Club. There, he usually sent his wife, Brigitt, a postcard. Over the years, she received each and every one — except the postcard dated July 4, 1996. Until now.
“I wanted to make sure it made its way to its rightful owner,” Maureen wrote in a letter to Bridgitt that accompanied the postcard. “I hope it brings a smile to your face, and I sincerely apologize for the delay in delivery.”
On the day before her 83rd birthday, Brigitt opened the mail to find the long-lost postcard. “She was very happy and surprised to find the card,” Paul said in a thank you note to Maureen. “You have brought a big smile to our faces.”