{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"What Works","title":"EP 223: Confusing Confidence and Status With What Works Founder Tara McMullin","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":752,"description":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI opened my email and saw the message that brightens the spirit of any cross-country traveler: my upgrade was confirmed.\n\n\n\nEven better, this upgrade included my daughter.\n\n\n\nLola has always loved flying but this was her first First Class flight.\n\n\n\nOf course, she had no idea what to expect when we boarded the plane.\n\n\n\nShe was 6 at the time and small enough to sit quite comfortably in economy so she was dwarfed by the faux leather lounger she buckled into. She was thrilled.\n\n\n\nAn hour later, the captain announced we’d be waiting at least another hour before we could take off.\n\n\n\nWe were going to miss our connection to Portland.\n\n\n\nI was stressed and anxious. Lola had already fallen asleep while watching a movie on my iPad.\n\n\n\nI grabbed my phone and called the special hotline for United MileagePlus premium status holders.\n\n\n\nA cheery man answered the phone almost immediately. He already had my flight info and agreed that there was no way I was going to make my connection.\n\n\n\nHe said, “I can see you’re sitting in first class right now. Why don’t I go ahead and confirm your upgrade to the first flight up to Portland tomorrow morning?”\n\n\n\nI thanked him profusely.\n\n\n\nWhen I hung up, the flight attendants were coming around to get beverages.\n\n\n\nI asked for a gin and tonic.\n\n\n\nThe flight attendant replied, “I make them strong. That okay?”\n\n\n\nOf course, it was okay. I was stressed and, while my conversation with the agent had made me less anxious, a little self-medicating wouldn’t hurt.\n\n\n\nSelf-medication is one of the perks of First Class travel.\n\n\n\nEventually, we did arrive in San Francisco. We proceeded to the customer service desk.\n\n\n\nWe bypassed the long line of people waiting for help rescheduling their flights and entered the area designated for premium status holders. There was no wait.\n\n\n\nThey gave us a hotel room to sleep in for a few hours and a stack of meal vouchers—and sent us on our way. We made it to Portland the next morning, tired but care-free....","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/AmfGeDL96-fhMaeOcqmX7TK_eWrvTLco6OJj2QpZtZI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80NGUx/OWY5ZDg1M2E5MmU3/ZjEwOWVmNDM3MWVh/ZjZlOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}