A moment's silence please...

If we could please all bow our heads to mark a sad sad day in the Roman calandar. A day that I have been dreading since 1 November 2007. Today ladies and gentlemen I move down a status rank in the QANTAS and One World Frequent Flyer Program. A gift that was given to me (in exchange for giving my social life) by the little man with the black ears, a man you may affectionately know as Mickey, but to me I called him boss. It was the key to an exclusive world that I no longer have in my reach. The greetings of 'Moet or Veuve' for you Madam in the First Class Lounges of the world. A free upgrade for you Madam? A greeter who would find me in Economy when I would fly just to check I was ok (see they know there's something not so great about economy). The ability to organise the notoriously difficult to redeem frequent flyer points at a day's notice. Courtesy phone calls to tell you your plane was on time, but more than often not, they weren't. Butler service when you check-in so you dont have to carry your hand luggage. Gift vouchers when the plane was late and checking-in in the special people line. I used to check-in 3 hours early to avail myself of the French champagne and fine dining menu the first class lounge had to offer. I felt a sense of belonging. I felt part of the QANTAS family. Then last year, when I thought it was bad enough, I was down-graded to Gold and now had to mingle with the Business Class traveller types, where the lounge served 'Yellowglen', you had to make your coffee yourself and if you were lucky you got a meat pie or samosa. I was starting to feel a little less special, pushed to the side, a grade 2 citizen. But now who am I? I'm a no-one. I am one of the masses. You will find me at the airport wading through the backpacks to order my Gloria Jeans skinny Caramel Latte, huffing and puffing no doubt. QANTAS should really think about having counselling groups to help people through the transition. I feel dropped from the family.

Please all spare a thought for me today as come to terms with this grim reality.