Man Gives Seat Upgrades to Anyone Who Spots Him at Airport

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. must-see / ˈmʌstˈsi / (adj) – recommended to be seen or watched
    Example:

    The palace is one of the country’s must-see tourist spots.


  2. swap / swɒp / (v) – to trade an item for another
    Example:

    She swapped her vintage dress for a classic watch.


  3. chance upon / tʃæns, tʃɑns əˈpɒn, əˈpɔn / (phrasal) – unintentionally finding someone or something
    Example:

    I chanced upon an interesting café during my trip.


  4. relinquish / rɪˈlɪŋ kwɪʃ / (v) – to give up something
    Example:

    He relinquished his seat for the elderly man.


  5. follow in (someone’s) footsteps / ˈfɒl oʊ ɪn ˈfʊtˌstɛps / (idiom) – to do the same things in your life as someone else
    Example:

    The son followed in his father’s footsteps and became a doctor.


Article

Read the text below.

An American travel blogger promises to trade his first or business class seat with anyone who spots him at any airport.


Gilbert Ott, founder of the travel blog God Save the Points, which features travel tips, airline promos, hotel deals, and must-see travel destinations, created a challenge called Catch Me If You Can to promote his website.


Ott’s challenge invites anyone to search for him at certain spots of any airport, such as check-in counters, security lanes, lounges, and boarding gates. Those who spot Ott should approach him and express interest in getting his seat. Ott will willingly give up his seat as long as the person is on the same flight as he is.


To help those who want a free seat upgrade boost their chances of spotting him, Ott will give hints about his destinations on his blog and Twitter account.


Although he declared that the challenge will run until December 31, 2017 only, he said that he will continue swapping seats in 2018 if anyone recalls the challenge and approaches him.


During a guesting on TV program Good Morning America, Ott shared an encounter with a lucky traveler who chanced upon him at London’s Heathrow Airport last July. Ott gladly relinquished his seat and the traveler posted about the eventful encounter on social media.


According to Ott, famous businessman Richard Branson was the inspiration behind the Catch Me If You Can challenge. He learned that the billionaire would occasionally swap seats with passengers in the economy class of the airline companies he owns such as Virgin Atlantic. He found the gesture admirable and decided to follow in Branson’s footsteps.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• If you chanced upon Gilbert Ott, would you express interest in swapping seats with him? Why or why not?
• Aside from promoting his travel blog, what are other possible reasons why Gilbert Ott created the Catch Me If You Can challenge?

Discussion B

• What amenities are a must for you when traveling?
• Are you willing to pay a high amount for a more comfortable travel experience? Why or why not?