On Monday I was in Ohio for work. Cincinnati to be exact. It was a great morning – I taught a group of communication executives how to use Twitter and delivered facts about the micro-blogging movement. After the meetings, I headed to the airport. I had a cold and all I wanted to do was fly back to Reagan Airport in D.C. and hail a cab to get home.

I boarded the airplane and got comfortable in seat 5B Window. Right before we took off, I heard a voice come through over a cell phone that asked, “Senator?”

“Senator….” I thought to myself. “Senator?” Five months after the Big Three Auto execs took private jets to Washington, there was a Senator sitting behind me – scrunched in between a wall and a random dude. You can’t make this stuff up, I thought to myself.

I thought. First things first, process of elimination. He is clearly from Ohio. Recess is almost over so it made sense he would be flying back.  I got out my iPhone and did a quick search – but not quick enough. We took off.

Once we touched down, I stole a quick look and confirmed what my phone pulled up. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), a long time public servant and a guy flying Coach in the center of his constituents. It was too cool to be true.

In the next four minutes I popped my head over the seat and smiled. He was wearing a lapel and turned up his hearing aide. While we all waited I told him I was a part-time blogger.

“Oh, you’re one of the new ones,” he smiled. “When do you find time to sleep?”

I shot back with a grin. “Weekends, I guess. What about you?”

“Weekends.”

As the crowd around us listened in on our Midwestern small talk, I caught a few smiles.  Once we got up, I popped in front of him and got him to strike a pose. On the way out the terminal, he shook my hand and said, “Good luck, Erica.” He was so sweet it made my little heart flutter.

I sent it to Twitter and Facebook with the caption, “Spotted: Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) flying Delta Coach to DCA. Way to set an example, Senator.”

The funny thing was this. Somewhere between my coy introduction and the walk off the plane, I made a decision and considered an alternative for myself.

Five months after the private jets symbolized the excess of America, I had just been humbled by a true public servant. Who was I to choose a cab? I grabbed the metro.