I've started writing down names and basic descriptions (discreetly) of the gate agents and Tray Stackers (TSA) at the airport I commute out of. That way I can greet them by name and it goes a long ways. Even the TSA folks have laid off. They are actually quite nice now. The gate agents really bust butt to get me on flights now. That's really a great help.

Before I started doing this I had one guy lay into me cause I hadn't checked in 30 minutes prior at the check-in counter "just like every normal passenger". This was in front of all the passengers lined up to go out to the plane. I was in uniform headed to fly a flight right into that very airport within 2 hours. So after he ripped me for not checkin in, I went over to the window and waved at the flight crew. The captain came over and told him to get me on the flight. There was tons of room. So after flying to ORD I picked up my flight and came right back to my airport. Guess who was working my flight? Same guy. He was standing by the plane as I was doing my walk around. I walked over and smiling just said "What's going on dude?!" He looked at me blinked then turned around and walked into the terminal.
Part 2. I've since learned his name from other agents. The other day I was standing at the aircraft door as pax were loading for a flight back to SBN and who happens to be on that flight? Yep, on his way to work commuting in. As he walked on I was like "Good morning Jim!" He looked at me kinda shocked.
Just had to laugh at the irony.