Chris Orr, a longtime United Club agent in Denver, retires on Wednesday. Her consistently superior customer service…and public service…over the years serve as a remarkable testimony to her character.
Orr began donating blood in 1976. Since then, she has donated more than 70 gallons of blood…the only woman in Colorado to surpass that milestone. It all started when her cousin became sick and eventually lost his battle to leukemia. Searching for a way to help battle pernicious diseases, Orr began donating twice a week. And 43 years just flew by…
I was not even aware of Orr’s generous public service until last week. But I was certainly aware of her superior customer service. Over the years, Orr has met me with a smile over and over from her usual corner position in Denver’s United Club. Whenever I experienced irregular operations or other unintended delays, I knew I could always count on Orr to help get me to my destination.
That smile was so contagious. She was always in a good mood and she was one reason I loved connecting in Denver.
Back in 2014 as I crossed the MillionMiler threshold with United on a flight from Denver to New York LaGaurdia, she thanked me for “your own smile and being so loyal over the years” as I waited in the United Club prior to my flight. What a touching moment. I only saw her 4-5 times a year, but it was like seeing an old friend.
CONCLUSION
Orr is a remarkable human being whom I will deeply miss when connecting in Denver. But she’s not retiring from her blood donations and I hope to see her once in a while onboard as a passenger enjoying her well-earned flight benefits. The pictures in this story are from Orr’s Facebook caption. I loved the caption of the picture below: “Made some great friends on the way over! Wonderful seatmates for 15 hours!!” Sounds like Orr to me!
I wish Orr all the best in the next chapter of her life.
I can’t believe that she is retiring. She has been such a welcome sight at Denver over the years. I remember fondly when she was a gate agent, and she made every flight and every passenger feel special. Though I’ve mainly been on American recently, and no longer have United Club membership, it was still a pleasant surprise when I have seen Chris at the United Club. Bon Voyage, and enjoy a well earned retirement!
I love that you take the time to honor some of the people behind the work that goes into an airline. And the interaction with them that many of us have. With all the focus on viral negativity these days, you provide a refreshing look at the other side, Matthew.
I used to be used in DEN and encountered Chris many times at the United Club. She was unfailingly kind, friendly, and helpful. Thanks so much for giving her the recognition she so richly deserves!
Well done Chris.
“Orr began donating blood in 1976. Since then, she has donated more than 70 gallons of blood…”
Many found memories of Chris, having seen her on average 8 times a month at the club for the last decade. I’ve been giving her a hard time recently, as she will finally have time to come down to Monument and have dinner with the wife and I.
Chris will be missed! her vivaciousness catches on with everyone she meets. Will be looking for her in other places as she enjoys her retirement….
Yes, Chris was an amazing person who as an almost weekly flyer out of Denver for over 15 years always
loved to have Chris greet me on those morning flights. Her beautiful smile, her warmth, and her genuine interest in every person who she met is rare quality these days. I know she has retired some time ago now but I just happened on this link and was moved to send my congrats, love, and bon voyage as I am hopeful to run into her in the future! Tom S Denver