Why I enjoy going off to work.

I received an interesting email recently, from another airline pilot who criticized my enthusiasm for the job. Well, OK. He contends that the industry isn't what it used to be, that it's no longer fun and that I paint a bit of a rosy picture. I certainly agree that the industry has changed, but what industry hasn't changed in the last 20 years? No longer fun? It's what you make of it. If you go to work with a sour attitude, everyone around you will acquire one too. I refuse to let the temporary help passing through our corporate headquarters effect my enjoyment of my life and friends. Have I taken huge paycuts? Am I flying more? Paying more for my "alleged" benefits? Yes to all of this, but my enthusiasm for life and enjoying it remain in my control and are unchanged. I'm also a proponent of starting your own business, believe me, you won't have time to think about your airlines management. I still love flying airplanes and coincidentally still need an income, but look at the shots below... this is why I still enjoy coming to work.
This is a recent photo of Rita at Flight Attendant Check In. She used to work at Pilot Check In when we had such a thing. She's a good friend and gave me this 727 pen and ink to frame and add to my collection. She knows how much I enjoyed the three holer. Thanks Rita, this was very thoughtful.
This is my pal Wes. Everybody in the airline knows "Lunchmeat." Heck, everybody from most any airline atleast knows of him! We were hired together in a new hire class of Twin Otter copilots at Hyannis based (later Boston based) Air New England in 1974. He, and several other ANE pilots, are the reason that I'm a 757 captain today. I wonder if in 1974 (I was 25) if we ever thought we'd be laying over in Honolulu! (Note my very stylish T-shirt, they're for sale on my wedsite! See what I mean about having a business?)
I think my most favorite times at the airline were spent right here in the cockpit of a B-727. I loved the airplane, the crews and the mission. Rick, in the right seat here, was upgrading to 727 FO and we were doing his IOE on this trip. We had a lot of laughs... I just hope that he learned a couple of things!
Now here's a group. We're all old ANE friends who met at a country airshow in Plymouth, NH. After me, it's Wes, Mike and John. Mike and John are retired Continental via People Express. Talk about business. Mike and his wife Didi, a former Northeast Airlines "stew," run a very successful restaurant on the coast of Maine. Mike doesn't have time to complain, in fact I'm surprised he had time to fly over and join us.
Yesterday I received an email from Rick at USAirways, that Chuck here was retiring in a week on a PHL-BOS flight. Chuck is former ANE and was a DC-3 captain there when I was hired. Later he flew the FH-227 and Convair 580 and he's just one of those guys that everyone enjoys flying with. Look at that face, wouldn't you enjoy flying with this guy?
You may think that my Dad's smiling here because this was his retirement flight. Well maybe, but I think that he was happy and relieved that I was gainfully employed.
Just one of dozens of flight attendant group shots that I have. They've experienced just as upsetting times as we have, are in direct customer contact, (we get to hide out in the cockpit) and manage to help me make it through my day.
That's George on the right, he's just finished pushing us back off gate 36 at Orlando. I can tell you why he's smiling...actually he's laughing, because I make him suffer through my attempts to speak Spanish! He smiles and tells me that it's "muy bueno," but I know better. Lo siento Jorge.
These guys should be smiling, we're on our way to Maui and if you've seen my Maui postings, you understand.
Do I know these folks who work on the ramp, man the de-ice machines or in flight operations? No. But what I have learned, is if I take the time, or make the effort to smile or wave hello, I get the same in return. These are airline friends too, I just don't know their names. They hear none of the accolades from passengers when I occasionally squeak out a good landing, but have all played a part in it coming about. I've surrounded myself with positive people who see the glass as "half full" and it is these people that I will continue to seek out. Have you noticed the common thread through all of these pictures? Everyone is smiling. I didn't plan this, nor chose the pictures because they were, I only noticed it myself as I reviewed the post. They're not thinking about management or how they've been "screwed" but simply enjoying a moment. Thanks to all of you who've had a hand in helping me to enjoy my day. They pass so quickly, don't they?