Very frequent business fliers are a coveted group, so much so that airlines are starting to treat them like celebrities to keep them loyal. Brendan Coffey recently spoke with LaGuardia Airport-based Regina Geber, one of 140 Air Canada concierge agents.

Everyone knows what a hotel's concierge does. What does an airline concierge do?
We deal with our Super Elite passengers, who travel 100,000 miles or more annually. We also deal with heads of state, of companies and with royalty and movie stars. We check them in, go through security with them, and pre-board them, so they really don't have to do anything. We almost do the walking for them.

How did you become an airline concierge?
In 2000, they came up with the idea of incorporating this service into Air Canada. They called for applicants that were enthusiastic, had different ways of dealing with people and spoke different languages. Before, I used to deal with complaints at baggage service, so I went from people being very unhappy to people being very happy when they see me.

What sort of training did you have?
We went to a very exclusive training with Les Clefs d'Or, which is an international concierge organization. We have the same training as a top concierge at the Pierre or St. Regis. It's all about service, making the person feel very good. And making them always want to come back for more.

Do you ever not recognize someone?
We're not infallible, but usually we know them. We check the list to see who is traveling. You also recognize people from the news, and everybody is always very happy about that. And they should feel that it's nice to be recognized.

What are some typical requests you get?
Passengers that run late we check in beforehand and meet them at security so they can make the flight. Sometimes a businessperson is traveling with a colleague, and they want the colleague to get the same service they are getting. We're happy to do that.

A lot of people ask us to get them seats for Broadway shows. Some people ask us to get flowers for somebody. We try to please them, even if we have to take our own car and go out and get it. Those requests don't come up too often, but when they do, we do them.

What are some unusual requests you've gotten?
Somebody called me and wanted me to park his car so he could make the flight. Another time a passenger had a flat tire and called and wanted one of us to go help him, and one of our concierges did go. But I didn't park the car.

What is the most stressful part of your job?
Weather-related issues. We call every passenger so they can stay wherever they are and continue work. That's very stressful because you try to get to as many as possible in the short amount of time you have.

Is there an aspect of what you do that makes people envious?
When I tell people what I do, they say "Wow, you get to meet all these very important people and movie stars." And we, believe it or not, become friends with them. I even once got to be in a movie because the producer was traveling back and forth with us, and one day I just popped the question, "What does it take to be in your movie?"

What movie?
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. That was very exciting. I had to be at the set at 6 o'clock, which was really an adventure for me, because I don't do early. I was in a traffic scene.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?
When I help somebody who was totally stressed make their flight. People unfortunately have funerals to attend to and they are very distressed, and we're able to console and make them feel that they are not alone. A lot of people confide in us; we're a part of their extended family.

It must be much nicer than dealing with baggage complaints.
Oh, absolutely. We do so much chatting as a way of making people feel welcome that it is almost not like work. We have passengers that lose their Super Elite status, and they do extra trips just so they can get back to having concierge service.