A traveller's tale

Simon Robinson writes

I've never been to Denver's Stapleton Airport and it's probable that I never will get there, but I came across this example of the effects of travel and stress on very important people.

During the final days at Denver's Stapleton airport, a crowded United flight was cancelled. A single agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly and angry passenger pushed his way to the desk and slapped his ticket down on the counter saying "I HAVE to be on this flight, and it HAS to be first class." The agent replied "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I have to help these folks first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out." The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "Do you have any idea who I am?" Without hesitating, the gate agent smiled, grabbed the public address microphone. "May I have your attention, please?" she began, her voice bellowing through the terminal. "We have a passenger at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the gate."

Its in a book by Steven Pinker, so it must be true...