I am a big fan of Reagan, but I actually had the opportunity to insult (tease) him to his face.

In 1979, I was on a business trip from Boston to Burlington Vt.   I was wearing a navy blue dark suit. (before causual work attire) I checked in about 3 hours before the flight.   The checkout person asked me if I was with the federal government. (navy blue suit) I said no and wondered why she asked.   She told me that they had a treat for me as Reagan was going to be on my flight.

Even in 1979 I thought this a little weird.   So much for security.   They tell me 3 hours ahead of a commericial flight that Reagan was going to be on it.   When I got my boarding assignment 2 1/2 hours later, they asked me where I wanted to sit.   I said "next to Reagan" They said "your not supposed to know that he is on this flight"

We all boarded, and Reagan got on last.   He was actually very nice and midway through the flight came back to say hello and chat with some of the people on the flight.   We all exited the plane first as the media was waiting for him in Burlington.   I was standing next to him waiting for the line to get off the plane.

Reagan had told a joke the previous week that got him in a lot of trouble.   "How do you tell the pollack at the cock fight?   He is the one that bets on the duck.   How do you know the mafia is there? The duck wins"   He had to make several apoligies for that joke. So being the sarcastic guy that I am, I said to Reagan "Mr. Reagan, do you heard any more good jokes lately?"   I thought the look I got from Nancy would shoot daggers through my eyes.   He somewhat chuckled.    We than talked a few minutes (until the line moved) about a convention at the Sheraton hotel in NYC the month before and how a friend called him "Mr. President"   That brought a very big smile and a hearty hand shake.

It is not often you get to insult a president of the USA (and idol) to his face.